Osborne Clarke in Belgium appoints new Partner and Head of its EU law practice across Brussels and the Netherlands

Osborne Clarke is proud to announce the appointment of new partner Roderick Nieuwmeyer who will lead the firm's Brussels-based EU law practice.

An expert in competition and EU regulatory, Nieuwmeyer brings extensive experience in merger control proceedings and antitrust investigations before the European Commission and national competition authorities. He is also a sector specialist in retail and consumer as well as life sciences and healthcare.

As a Dutch national and a member of the Bars in both Amsterdam and Brussels (EU-list), Nieuwmeyer will work closely with both Osborne Clarke's Belgian and Dutch offices. He joins the firm's broader international Competition, antitrust and trade team, which has a pan-European footprint comprising 10 Partners and 30 fee-earners in total. They bring long-standing experience in defending clients’ international interests while delivering clear and pragmatic advice, tailored to their specific circumstance and sector.

Having started his career at the Dutch firm Houthoff in Amsterdam in 2008, Nieuwmeyer moved to Brussels where he worked at the EU law office of CMS for more than a decade. He has an LL.M in European Legal Studies from the College of Europe in Bruges (Belgium) as well as LL.M degrees in European & Public International Law and Dutch Civil Law from Leiden University (the Netherlands).

Simon Neill and Thomas Funke, co-Heads of Osborne Clarke's international competition practice, commented: "We regularly advise large multinational clients in complex cross-border competition matters, who need the sharpest minds advising on competition, merger control, State aid and EU regulatory issues. Roderick is a strong leader for our local practice and an excellent addition to our growing pan-European team."

David Haex, Osborne Clarke's Managing Partner in Belgium, said: "Roderick's arrival reflects our ongoing commitment to offering the same full service that is also offered by our international practice. Having a dedicated EU law team in the Brussels office has proven to be a great asset."

Commenting on his appointment, new Partner Roderick Nieuwmeyer said: "Osborne Clarke's team is well-known for advising market-leading clients on a wide range of competition law matters. I look forward to working closely with the Belgian, Dutch and wider international offices to support the firm's global clients."

Nieuwmeyer takes over the position from Steven Verschuur, who was recently appointed as a GCEU judge.

Founded in 2013, Osborne Clarke's Belgium office counts eight expert partners and nearly 30 lawyers, having most recently welcomed senior counsel Willem Henckens. The team of nationally and internationally recognised experts advise clients across the firm's key sectors technology, media and communications; life sciences and healthcare; energy and utilities; real estate and infrastructure; retail and consumer; financial services; transport and automotive and workforce solutions.