A cross-border legal issue often requires a lawyer in the relevant country. For clients of Boels Zanders, this is not a problem: thanks to the global ADVOC network, entrepreneurs can turn to their trusted lawyer, who ensures that an ADVOC partner addresses the issue.
Lawyers Janou Briaire, Merel Lentjes, and Milou Segers offer insight into the international practice of Boels Zanders. Talented and ambitious women, each with their own specialty and a shared goal: pushing boundaries.
In fact, they believe there should be no limits to international business. “Dutch companies are highly suitable for collaboration due to their transparent structures, multilingual capabilities, high level of education, entrepreneurial mindset, and open culture. As a result, it is often the case that a foreign party first acquires a Dutch company and then uses the Netherlands as a gateway to enter Europe,” says Janou Briaire, lawyer, partner, and chair of the Corporate Practice Group at ADVOC.
ADVOC is an international network of independent mid-sized law firms, with Boels Zanders as one of the founding partners and colleague Jeroen Oehlen leading the European chapter. With over ninety member firms in more than seventy countries, there is always a partner firm available to assist with any international inquiry. “This allows us to provide services to our clients abroad without needing to hand them over. Or, if we do transfer them, we personally know the partner and remain involved as needed,” explains Janou Briaire. “The same applies in reverse – we assist clients from foreign firms, for example with a transaction or establishing a presence in the Netherlands.”
Lawyer Merel Lentjes also works with internationally active companies and frequently uses the ADVOC network. “A well-organized distribution network is crucial for international business. When necessary, I coordinate contracts with foreign distributors through a local lawyer from the ADVOC network. This saves the client the hassle and ensures they can trust that the lawyer has the relevant expertise in that country. When I engage someone, I carefully consider the costs and time involved.”
Questions about international law can be directed to foreign partners, who typically respond within a day. Janou explains: “The network is built on friendship and trust. We all look out for each other. We’re not competitors, we’re colleagues. If I receive an urgent request from an ADVOC partner, I make sure it is handled quickly because next time, I might be the one needing swift assistance.” Merel adds that the strong relationship between firms is reinforced by regular in-person meetings. “We attend network gatherings, and I even spent a week working in the commercial practice of our Malaysian ADVOC partner, Cheang & Ariff. This personal contact strengthens trust.”
International collaboration is also key for transactions. “At the end of last year, we facilitated a major international deal involving transactions in 11 countries,” says lawyer Milou Segers. “All transactions had to close on the same day, which was quite a challenge. We worked closely with ADVOC partners, and the collaboration was seamless. Since we frequently interact, we can communicate with very few words – essential when working under pressure.”
Cultural differences also play a role. “Dutch entrepreneurs are direct, bold, and multilingual. That isn’t always the case in other countries,” Janou notes. “This can sometimes make deal-making challenging, but with the right mix of energy, professionalism, understanding, and occasionally patience, international deals can be just as successful as our domestic ones.”
