About AKD

AKD is a leading international law firm, with over 600 lawyers, tax advisers, civil-law notaries and supporting professionals advising on Dutch, Belgian and Luxembourg legal and tax matters.

Putting it like that is somewhat out of character for us. We’re not ones to boast. Never have been. You can excel without making noise; that’s what we’ve always focused on. Our approach is a no-nonsense, true grit attitude. We are driven. We continuously work to deliver the very best for our clients.

We’re close to our clients. We bring a deep, genuine engagement with their business, interests and challenges. In everything we do, we are competitive, driven and ambitious. We value open, strong relationships - the kind that allow us to challenge and inspire each other.

We stand for top-tier legal work without pretence. No grandstanding. No unnecessary complexity. We bring matters to their core, making the complex simple. We stay grounded and focused. We are approachable, accessible – we make it easy to work with us.

In a world that can change overnight, practicality and pragmatism have always been at the heart of our service.

It’s in our DNA to always be there for our clients.

Whatever their business, whatever their sector, whatever the matter - We’re on it.

Full service and full focus 

For over a century, we’ve combined a full-service approach with both broad and in-depth sector knowledge. We believe it’s essential to know what’s happening, how things work, what defines a sector’s nature and habits, and how the dynamics play out.

That’s why we stay close to our clients — to truly understand their sector inside out. This enables us to look at every question from multiple angles and deliver high-quality, well-rounded solutions. We do so from our own offices, as well as through our dedicated country teams and our extensive, global Friends Network.

We have the scale, expertise and experience to advise on national and international mergers and acquisitions. To resolve complex public matters and handle disputes large and small. To advise on major projects, from the energy transition to issues around privacy and data security.

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We are AKD. And these are our Core Values. 

Driven
AKD is committed. We strive relentlessly for excellence across all our services, with quality being paramount in everything we do. With our unwavering energy and ambition, we achieve results, even when facing the hardest challenges. We aim for clients who choose us precisely because of this energy and dedication, clients who embrace the eagerness and dynamism we bring to each case and our willingness to go the extra mile.

We are driven.

Challengers
At AKD we take nothing for granted. We are committed to following our own course. We challenge the establishment, we challenge the status quo, we challenge our clients. We may be the incumbent in many fields, yet we are always eager to challenge perceptions and redefine industry standards. We continuously strive to improve ourselves. We are creative in finding solutions for our customers and we never settle for mediocrity. We always strive to push the boundaries that surround us. We dare to question authority, institutions or established practices. We dare to question each other.

We are challengers.

Committed to you
At our core, we value the strength of connection. We set great store by solidarity, empathy and the human dimension. It is not about status, but about being personable, fair and considerate. Committed to our clients and people, we build strong, lasting relationships based on trust, dedication, and mutual respect. We are accessible, humble and genuinely care for the other. We create a sense of togetherness for both our clients and our teams, with inclusivity and understanding as our guiding principles.

We are committed to you.

Independent
We cherish our independence and authenticity. We create and protect an environment where original thinkers and entrepreneurial spirits thrive. A colorful atmosphere, based on inclusivity and equality. Entrepreneurial at heart, we pursue opportunities and support our people in following their own paths. We are courageous and unbiased. We stand apart, and we are proud of our mavericks and nonconformists. We are distinct, we are genuine, we are authentic.

We are truly independent.

Straightforward
We maintain short lines of communication, approach issues pragmatically, and communicate down-to-earth and directly. ‘No-nonsense‘ is at our core. We assist our clients in cutting through complexity without unnecessary embellishments. We draw upon the wealth of knowledge that exists in every corner of AKD, in order to provide clarity and actionable solutions to all our stakeholders in all circumstances.

We are straightforward.

Hands-on leadership

AKD’s board consists of: Managing Partner - Carlos Pita Cao, Board member - Jan Kromhout and COO/CFO - Mark Kater.

A board of hands-on, approachable and accessible people. Not operating from an ivory tower, but just as engaged with the day-to-day operations as with long-term vision and policies. Frequently in touch with clients about their industries and markets, because understanding what’s going on in any business is essential.

Adapting to the changing needs and expectations of our clients is seen by the board as a fundamental condition for delivering the best possible service, exactly when it’s needed.

By continuously responding to the shifting legal and social context, they shape AKD’s successful strategy as a firm that is and always will be there for its clients.

Being yourself is best to make a difference

We believe that people can only truly thrive in an environment where everyone feels free to be themselves. That’s why we are an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating an open, diverse, safe and inclusive workplace.

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Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)

It goes without saying that we are aware of the responsibility we bear, as individuals and as a firm, for our environment. We are mindful of the impact our work, services, and decisions have on the planet, society, and our stakeholders.

ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) is therefore an essential part of our business strategy and will remain high on our agenda in the years to come. We are taking active steps to reduce our ecological footprint.

AKD has a dedicated ESG team that stays up to date with the latest developments in this field. The team advises both public and private clients on topics such as climate change, energy transition, sustainable energy projects, biodiversity, the circular economy, social responsibility, and governance.

 

 

Mission Supporter of The Ocean Cleanup

AKD is proud to collaborate with The Ocean Cleanup as a Mission Supporter, contributing to this inspiring initiative with its ambitious goal: plastic-free oceans.

We provide pro bono legal advice and hands-on support for The Ocean Cleanup’s operations. Through this partnership, AKD is proud to make a positive impact on a cause we deeply believe in.

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