New board for 90-year-old Van Doorne "Legal solutions also need to be supported by society nowadays"
Saskia Laseur (1966, civil law notary) has been appointed as the new managing partner of Van Doorne lawyers, civil law notaries and tax specialists. On 1 January, she will succeed Johan Boeren, who is returning to the practice. Together with Jasper Leedekerken (1975, litigation) and Rob de Win (1969, transactions) she forms the day-to-day management board. The new appointments will provide rejuvenation and a more social direction. “Because our clients are not interested in legal solutions that are not socially explainable in these demanding times,” says Laseur.
Saskia Laseur joined Van Doorne in 1993. She advises and assists social (member) organisations with strategy issues, the organisation of management and supervision, and public-private partnerships. Saskia is also active in society at large. In her additional positions, she promotes inclusiveness in society. For example, she is committed to “Meer Muziek in de Klas” and to the social embedding of child centres in the Netherlands.
Jasper Leedekerken has been working as a lawyer at Van Doorne since 2000 in litigation practice. He assists clients in disputes involving liability, attachments and enforcement of judgements. And he knows from this practice that social acceptance of a legal dispute is more important now than ever before.
Rob de Win has been associated with Van Doorne as a tax lawyer since 2002 and works for clients in the real estate and merger & acquisition practice. He advises (listed) real estate funds, project developers and construction companies and assists with real estate transactions and projects, specifically involving turnover and transfer tax.
Laseur, De Win and Leedekerken will remain active in the advisory practice and in representing their clients, keeping them in touch with a fast-paced hardening of attitudes in society, far-reaching legalisation and a growing claim culture. A Managing Director is still being sought.
Saskia Laseur comments “We live in turbulent times. Technological, legal and economic developments are moving rapidly. Stricter regulation and more national and international legislation are placing increasing demands on our clients and employees. Over the past 90 years, Van Doorne has proven itself to be a firm at the heart of Dutch society. We help our clients with socially supported solutions for the most complex problems in the sectors in which they operate. That is why we work alongside our clients like a family.”
Departing managing partner Johan Boeren says “Saskia will be the first female managing partner and she will lead the further growth of our firm and the intensification of client contact in the coming years. In recent years, she has fulfilled many administrative and supervisory roles both within and outside the firm. This new role is a great fit for her and I am proud and happy that she wants to take up this position.”
Van Doorne is the fastest growing Dutch top 10 law firm. With around 185 specialists, Van Doorne is a multi-service organisation, characterised by an informal and open working atmosphere in which people are given the space to be themselves, to develop initiatives and to take responsibility. In order to look at a question from different perspectives, creativity and an open mind are needed. That is why Van Doorne attaches great importance to diversity, which leads to better solutions.
