Onze vermeldingen
Zowel door cliënten als door andere advocaten worden wij continu beoordeeld. Dat houdt ons scherp en daar zijn we ook trots op. En soms worden die advocaten ook opdrachtgevers.
Cliënten beoordelen ons rechtstreeks of via de diverse toonaangevende organisaties die dergelijke onderzoeken uitvoeren. Die organisaties, zoals Legal500, Who's Who Legal, Best Lawyers en Chambers, doen ook expliciet onderzoek bij collega- advocaten in binnen- en buitenland.
My experience with Van Traa team is that they are very skilled, and they know the case to the smallest detail. By consulting Van Traa you know that they are very dedicated and always want to win the case. I have worked with them for more than twenty years and they have never lost a case! Van Traa always puts the customer’s interests first.’ (Legal500)
What the team is known for (Chambers 2025)
Van Traa maintains its position as one of the leading shipping law firms in the Netherlands. The team has notable experience in damages claims and liability mandates, including spillages and damage to undersea cables. The firm is particularly popular with clients from the logistics sector, advising on litigation regarding the contamination of goods during transport. Team members also have experience in matters such as the use of autonomous vehicles, damage to aircraft, and recourse and recovery proceedings. The team additionally advises on coverage disputes relating to product and professional liability, as well as environmental damage. It has further experience in PDBI and CAR policy matters and personal injury claims.
Also Van Traa is the reliable partner for (inter-)national insurers and brokers when confronted with complex coverage disputes and multiple liability issues following a high-impact event. Van Traa is very strong in the construction and transport (marine, aviation and rail) industry. The experience and capabilities to deal efficiently with the multi-faceted aspects and consequences of complex insurance and liability questions, are undisputed.
Van Traa is known for its involvement in all high impact events that occurred in the Netherlands or are related to the Netherlands, such as natural disasters, collisions, crash accidents resulting in inter alia corporate and personal liability insurance questions, professional indemnity and other contractual and tort law issues.
Work highlights: Van Traa Advocaten advised insurers on insurance and liability issues resulting from a tank falling from a trailer during road carriage.
Chambers and Partners 2025:
"Van Traa Advocaten distinguishes itself from other law firms through its practical approach and its ability to provide concise advice on complex matters."
"The strategy is discussed and implemented in a calm, deliberate and convincing manner by Van Traa Advocaten."
Another client states that: "Van Traa Advocaten takes care of and anticipates possible unexpected developments in a case."
Leading individuals
Robert Pessers advises clients from the aviation sector on collisions and claims for damages to hulls and engines. He also advises on matters arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, and assists clients with legislation designed to protect endangered species. He also acts for clients on coverage disputes involving product recalls, business interruption and property damage. Clients state that: "Robert Pessers is an exceptionally skilled lawyer who is able to advise and litigate on complex liability issues. He exudes reliability and quality and is very pleasant to work with", "Robert Pessers brings complicated cases to a resolution in a calm way. He is very convincing and asks the right questions" and is the go-to aviation claims lawyer in the Netherlands."
Robert de Haan represents insurers in a range of mandates, including liability issues, construction all risk policies and business interruption claims. He often acts on matters relating to the transport and construction sectors. "Robert de Haan has a very good level of knowledge and works together with his clients in a pleasant way."
Jolien Kruit advises clients on liability and damages claims, including for oil spills and damage to underwater cables. She also assists clients with general average claims and disputes over the contamination of goods. Clients about Jolien: "Jolien Kruit is extremely efficient and has fantastic attention to detail."
Marc Van Maanen represents clients in liability disputes and litigation concerning the contamination of transported goods. A client appreciates Marc Van Maanen for "his practical approach. He has a huge knowledge of our business."
Vincent Pool assists clients with contentious matters, including representing them in recourse proceedings and recovery disputes. He also advises clients on distribution agreements. "Vincent Pool is a trusted adviser who is always available, has great industry knowledge and delivers very good results."
Leendert van Hee is particularly active in matters in the logistics sector, including obtaining permits. Clients find Leendert van Hee "an excellent lawyer who is solution oriented."
Derk-Jan van der Kolk is well placed to advise clients on personal injury and maritime liability claims. A client finds "Derk-Jan van der Kolk a very skilled lawyer."
Insurance
Van Traa Advocaten is noted for its record in transport-related insurance matters, with the firm advising on both the drafting of terms and conditions, and on disputes relating to both professional liability and personal injury in the transport and logistics sector. The team also takes instructions tied to the neighbouring area of international trade. Practice head Robert Pessers advises on claims arising out of transport accidents, with a particular focus on the aviation industry, covering professional and person injury liability matters, in addition to advising on construction all risks cases. Robert de Haan handles policy advisory work in relation to transport insurance, with Derk-Jan van der Kolk taking the lead on personal injury disputes. April 2023 saw professional liability and fraud specialist Marko Jongkind return to the firm from VanNiekerkCieremans B.V.
Transport
Van Traa Advocaten’s highly regarded transportation practice tackles the full spectrum of transport law issues, encompassing logistics, aviation, and international trade, as well as shipping, offshore activities, and regulation. The practice offers extensive expertise in areas such as commodities, rail, road, maritime insurance, and sanctions. It is spearheaded by logistics expert Leendert van Hee, highly experienced in representing sea and road carriers, producers, and insurers, especially in complex dispute resolution. Vincent Pool advocates for cargo interests, logistics service providers, and insurers on road carriage, dry shipping, and rail transport issues. Robert Pessers, overseeing the aviation division, concentrates on liability and regulatory issues for major airlines and their insurers. Jolien Kruit, with her focus on dry shipping and logistics services, excels in managing incidents and claims, while Nol van Hal provides advisory and litigious support in maritime matters including shipbuilding, incidents, ship arrests, and insurance.
Industry focus: Food
Van Traa Advocaten is the go-to firm for insurance and brokering companies who require assistance with recall actions related to disease outbreaks, decertification of organic good, and other potential issues. The team also has a specialised organic sector group which is well-equipped to handle regulatory, arbitration, litigation, and contractual issues faced by the organics industry. Other main areas of the practice include food-related M&A, transport and logistics, contracting and financing, regulatory, and insurance and liability. Marc van Maanen co-leads the team alongside Silvia Gawronski, he handles issues related to food and feed law and largely assists logistics service providers, their insurers, organic commodity traders, trade financiers, and meat traders. Gawronski acts for national and international companies on regulation and enforcement matters, as well as material food and food safety regulations. Steven Oude Alink specialises in commercial and transport law for the food industry, while Tomas Uildriks assists with recall disputes.
Dispute resolution: Arbitration
Van Traa Advocaten specialises in international trade, transport and logistics, and insurance-related cases. In particular, the team assists enterprises with international trade disputes related to fraud, breach of contract and perishing of goods. International trade experts Marc van Maanen and Steven Oude Alink co-lead the practice.
Read more about testimonials and key clients.
Who's Who Legal 2021:
The 2021 edition of WWL (Who’s Who Legal) Transport contains 8 mentions of lawyers with Van Traa Advocaten across three different practice areas.
Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both counsel and practioners worldwide. Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.
Clients are impressed by the firm's dependable service, describing the team as "very reliable." Further sources add that the team "act quickly and efficiently and in their clients' best interests."
De 2018-editie van 'Best Lawyers in the Netherlands' bevat negen vermeldingen voor Van Traa Advocaten in zes verschillende praktijkgebieden.
Vermelding in deze ranking is alleen mogelijk op basis van nominatie door klanten en andere advocaten.
De volgende advocaten van Van Traa worden aanbevolen:
Transportation Law:
Trade Law & Litigation:
