International Services

The international practice of WILLEMS SCHMIDT Advocaten & Rechtsanwälte has focused in particular on international and cross-border trade and businesses. The Netherlands is a trading country par excellence, in which import and export of both goods and services have always played a major role. Many facets of the law play a role in (cross-border) commercial transactions, such as contract law, corporate law, property law and insolvency law, but tort, intellectual property law and administrative law can also be of great importance in running a (commercial) company. . The culture and customs of the various parties are also facets of international business that should not be underestimated. It is for this reason that the lawyers of WILLEMS SCHMIDT have been involved for years in all aspects of (international) trading, so that they can assist both the smaller and the large party in all issues that arise in the (international) trade can arise, both in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and the United States, as well as in the rest of the world.

Germany

Germany is the Netherlands’ largest trading partner, both in terms of exports and imports. The annual trade volume between the two countries is among the largest in the world.

With such a large volume of trade and the associated other matters such as employment contracts, leases, real estate contracts, local services, etc., it is important to be well informed in business and legal terms and to receive expert guidance in cross-border issues as well as in the national issues of both countries.

The ties with Germany are also very close in the field of education, art, culture and science and expert and appropriate advice in the field of IP law, entertainment law and contract law is of great importance.

Although the Netherlands and Germany have long been trusted trading partners, the countries have as many differences as similarities. It is for this reason that Willems Advocaten & Rechtsanwälte focuses on both legal and practical guidance for doing business, living and working in Germany and the Netherlands.

With its presence in Amsterdam & Düsseldorf, Willems Schmidt Advocaten & Rechtsanwälte offers specialist legal and business assistance in both the Netherlands and Germany.

In case you have questions or need assistance in both countries at the same time, Willems Schmidt provides it behind one door, on both sides of the border, through the close cooperation between the two branches.

United States

Willems Schmidt Advocaten & Rechtsanwälte and Rasco Klock Perez & Nieto in New York City and Miami have been working closely together since January 2019 in providing legal services to both large and smaller companies and individuals in the United States of America and Europe.

The United States of America is the largest investor in the Netherlands. In 2014, 645 billion US dollars were invested from the United States in the Netherlands, while at the same time 265 billion US dollars were invested from our country in the United States. This makes the Netherlands the third largest foreign investor in the US.

To do business in the United States, knowledge of local customs and regulations is of great importance. The same, of course, applies to business from the US in Europe. Good legal and business assistance is therefore indispensable, whether it concerns setting up a company, concluding commercial contracts or protecting intellectual property. Our Dutch-American team is therefore committed to preparing and guiding parties legally and commercially when entering into (commercial) transactions, starting companies, or any other (business) adventure whatsoever.
In addition, Willems is committed to starting and experienced entrepreneurs and companies that want to expand their market within Europe or to the United States of America.

For large Dutch companies, the door to the United States has been open for a long time. For the time being, they use the many large law firms that have offices in the United States. This is often a costly affair, which means that the gate is only open to a select group. As a result, SMEs and the smaller segment of large Dutch companies have to ignore access to the United States. It is for this reason, among others, that Willems Advocaten & Rechtsanwälte has built a permanent bridge with the heart of the American business world, Manhattan, and The Greater New York City area, through the collaboration with Rasco Klock cs, in New York. Using this permanent bridge is usually a less expensive affair, so that the gateway to the United States has also been opened for SMEs and the smaller segment of large Dutch companies.

Large and smaller parties, both from the Netherlands and the United States, are assisted in all aspects of cross-Atlantic business. One of our American colleagues is a native Dutch speaker.

Belgium

Belgium is the largest trading partner of the Netherlands after Germany and, although often underestimated, Belgium is of great importance to the Netherlands in the political, military, economic and cultural fields. In addition, the Netherlands is the largest exporter on the Belgian market, closely followed by Germany.

The close relationship with Belgium and Luxembourg within the BeNeLux also shows that Belgium is indispensable for the Dutch trading market.

The ties between Belgium and the Netherlands and Belgium and Germany serve as springboards for many trade transactions involving both goods and services.

Although the Netherlands and Belgium show similarities in many respects, there are also many differences in terms of law and custom. Qualitative, expert and appropriate advice for matters between Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands is therefore of great importance.

It is for this reason that Willems Schmidt Advocaten & Rechtsanwälte has an established long-term partnership with Van Huffelen & Co Advocaten & Mediators, with whom we assist companies, entrepreneurs and individuals in doing business, living and working in Belgium as well as from the Netherlands, both in Germany and in the Netherlands. from Belgium who assist parties in the Netherlands and Germany.

Austria

Austria is a knowledge country. Austria’s most important commercial sectors are the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, the chemical industry (plastics), the IT and telecom industry, the electrical industry, the steel industry, logistics services and tourism. The annual trade volume between the Netherlands and Austria is significant (€15.3 billion direct investment from Austria to the Netherlands and €5.4 billion direct investment from the Netherlands to Austria). See the annual report 2022 of the WKÖ, AussenwirtschaftsCenter The Hague.

The Netherlands is also interesting for Austrian companies to establish themselves as a hub for transnational activities. With such a volume of trade and the associated other matters, (international) contracts, such as distribution and agency contracts, IT service and license contracts, general terms and conditions, and often also employment contracts, leases, real estate contracts, etc. are required. We can draw up such contracts for you and explain them in the Austrian language and with a view to Austrian daily practice and, if necessary, draw them up. The ties with Austria are also very close in the field of education, art, culture and science and expert and appropriate advice in the field of IP law, entertainment law and contract law is of great importance. See, among other things, regarding design and fashion.

Although Austria, the Netherlands and Germany have long been trusted trading partners, the countries have as many differences as similarities. It is for this reason that Willems Schmidt Advocaten & Rechtsanwälte focuses on both legal and practical guidance for doing business, living and working in Austria and the Netherlands. With its presence in Amsterdam & Vienna, Willems Schmidt Advocaten & Rechtsanwälte offers specialist legal and business assistance in both the Netherlands and Austria. If you have any questions, please contact Menno Schmidt.

International network

International and cross-border business

Internationaal netwerk - Alliance of Business Lawyers

WILLEMS SCHMIDT Advocaten is one of the founders and a long-standing active member of the Alliance of Business Lawyers. We work in cross-border matters together with our colleagues abroad, of whom we are assured, based on years of cooperation and frequent contact, of the same philosophy, quality and office efficiency as advocated by us.

WILLEMS SCHMIDT values good guidance, including when it concerns foreign jurisdictions. That is why WILLEMS SCHMIDT is committed, where appropriate and desired, to providing assistance in communication and substantive treatment, also when referring to foreign partners, in order to ensure the quality of the service and to keep a finger on the pulse with regard to the course of time and the associated costs.

International and cross-border business

WILLEMS SCHMIDT Advocaten & Rechtsanwälte has for some time focused on the international and cross-border legal practice in which companies, entrepreneurs and individuals are advised and litigated on their behalf in all conceivable international and cross-border matters. WILLEMS SCHMIDT thus assists its customers in doing business, living and working, from the Netherlands, Europe, the United States, and large other parts of the world. Ensuring a quality service is extremely important. Advice and assistance at home and abroad must be competent and appropriate. Expertise is expressed in the understanding and knowledge of (local and international) law and the relevant customs, while at the same time appropriateness is expressed in a good assessment of the current situation and advice and approach taking into account the legal options, based on those situation. The professionals within WILLEMS SCHMIDT Advocaten therefore provide you with personal advice and assistance regarding all aspects of doing business, living and working in the Netherlands, Germany and the United States of America.

For assistance in other countries, WILLEMS SCHMIDT works closely with local professionals in Europe and other parts of the world through an active international network. WILLEMS SCHMIDT also offers competent and appropriate advice in other countries from its own professionals and through a bridge with local professionals in large parts of the world. Because WILLEMS SCHMIDT lawyers attach great importance to quality and the expertise and appropriateness described above, your advisers also assist us with those matters that are handled by local professionals in Europe and other parts of the world, on behalf of Willems or its clients. In this way we offer advice and assistance in line with the quality, expertise and appropriateness pursued by Willems in Europe and large parts of the world, while your trusted advisor at WILLEMS SCHMIDT remains your contact person and point of contact.