Wouter Kroeze

I am an associate in our Dispute Resolution and Commercial practice in The Hague, where I specialise in commercial litigation and international dispute resolution in the media, technology and commercial sectors.

Here at Bird & Bird, I work with a variety of our clients, advising and representing them on a broad range of commercial and civil law issues. I like to provide a fresh outlook on issues, and work together with colleagues and clients to combine our strengths and deliver the best possible work.

The cases I work on vary from highly complex, cross-border disputes that involve multiple jurisdiction to more straight-forward cases. During my years at Bird & Bird, I have gained a lot of experience representing clients in front of national courts (both first instance and appeal proceedings), as well as arbitration and mediation.

My travels have exposed me to a diverse network of business sources, helping me gain valuable insight into a broad range of cultures ranging from Hong Kong to the United States. This has also allowed me to meet many of my international colleagues, which makes collaborating with them on international disputes just as easy as working with colleagues at my local office. I often work remotely from Los Angeles, which enables me to regularly work with American clients without the limitations that the time difference can bring.

If I had not been a lawyer, I would most likely have become a forensic criminologist. I have a degree in forensic criminology too, but the intricacy of law, as well as the impact the law can have on people in day to day situations, made the choice between law and forensic criminology an easy one. As a lawyer and litigator, my work consists of 'fact finding' as well as understanding and properly executing legal procedure. The balance between the two makes every day different and every case unique. This motivates me to keep learning and dive into every case with fresh energy.

• Litigating a complex, cross-border dispute regarding contract law and (financial) sanctions law.
• Representing a major news conglomerate in multiple court proceedings (defamation claims).
• Advising a large telecom provider in recovering damage to its underground network and critical infrastructure, often caused during construction work or poor maintenance.