De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek has appointed six new counsel, effective 1 January 2026.

Matthew Blome (Arbitration), Jonas Hinrichsen (Arbitration), Floris Kaptein (Litigation), Peter Spijker (Tax), Carolien van Senten (Litigation) and Marit van Zandvoort (Financial Markets & Regulation) have risen through the firm's ranks to their new roles as counsel.

Klaas de Vries, managing partner at De Brauw: “These appointments recognise lawyers with outstanding track records in areas that our clients value highly. Matthew, Jonas, Floris, Peter, Carolien and Marit bring in-depth expertise and strategic insight to their respective practices. As counsel, they will be well-positioned to advise on our clients’ most defining matters and to help shape the future of our firm.”

Matthew Blome
Matthew is an Australian-qualified lawyer with more than a decade of experience resolving complex international disputes. He has a strong track record in energy and infrastructure arbitrations – including LNG price reviews and construction disputes – and regularly acts in post-M&A matters. His common law background adds particular value in cross-border cases that require multi-jurisdictional insight.

Jonas Hinrichsen
Jonas focuses on high-stakes international disputes, bringing extensive expertise in advising on and litigating energy-sector arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, NAI and UNCITRAL rules in German, English and Dutch. He regularly represents clients in enforcement and setting-aside proceedings before Dutch courts. As a German native speaker, Jonas is active in the Dutch-German arbitration network. His profile showcases both technical depth and strong international connectivity.

Floris Kaptein
Floris is a litigator with in-depth expertise in property law, enforcement and Supreme Court litigation, complemented by special experience in restructuring and financial disputes. He represents clients at all court levels in the Netherlands and the Court of Justice of the European Union, and has contributed to landmark cases shaping Dutch legal practice. Floris holds a PhD in private law, and publishes and lectures on civil and civil procedural law.

Carolien van Senten
Carolien specialises in commercial and corporate litigation, representing companies in complex disputes before Dutch courts. Her practice spans class actions, product liability, competition-related litigation and other large-scale liability matters. She has experience across various sectors such as retail, medical technology, energy and financial services.

Peter Spijker
Peter combines technical excellence in corporate tax with a strong profile in tax controversy and advisory work. His practice spans M&A transactions, restructurings and high-stakes disputes, both domestic and cross-border. He lectures at VU University Amsterdam and regularly publishes on tax law.

Marit van Zandvoort
Marit advises leading financial institutions on prudential regulation, governance, and recovery and resolution planning. She has extensive experience assisting clients in the banking and payments sector, including in cross-border regulatory matters. Her work spans advisory, transactional and contentious contexts for these clients, including administrative appeals. Marit's appointment recognises institutions' need for advice on the growing regulation in the sector and further strengthens De Brauw's cross-expertise regulatory offering in large transactions and advisory matters.