Pinsent Masons announces launch of Netherlands presence

The firm has recruited TMT, data privacy and digital lawyer Wouter Seinen as head of Amsterdam as Pinsent Masons develops its technology, science and industry (TS&I) capabilities in the Netherlands. The office will focus on advising clients on cyber, data, tech and life sciences mandates.

Wouter joins from Baker McKenzie where he has been partner in the firm's IP/IT & Commercial group in Amsterdam since 2015. Having started his career in 1999, he has developed expertise across IT, IP and media with a specific focus on data protection, cyber security and artificial intelligence.

Senior partner at Pinsent Masons, Richard Foley, said: "With a quarter of our top 250 clients operating in the Netherlands this is an important strategic market for Pinsent Masons and I’m delighted to be starting the process by which we will quickly build out a meaningful capability in Amsterdam. As a leading lawyer in his field, Wouter will play a vital role in enhancing our technology, science and industry capabilities and connecting those capabilities across our UK and European platform in particular."

Wouter has advised a number of high profile global businesses including Unilever, Netflix, Google, Twitter, Booking.com, Chanel, American Express Global Business Travel and Wolters Kluwer. 

Technology, science and industry global sector head, Florian von Baum, said: "A core aspect of our TS&I strategy is to become a leading pan-European professional services adviser to our clients. With longstanding capabilities in France, Germany, Spain, Ireland and the UK and client demand for on the ground expertise in the Netherlands, we are confident that Wouter will not only launch our presence in Amsterdam but will boost our data and tech offering across Europe and pave the way for a broad suite of expertise driven by our global sectors."

Commenting on his move, Wouter Seinen, said: "I am looking forward to contributing to this strategically important office launch for Pinsent Masons. The firm's reputation as a leading multinational law firm with outstanding capabilities across technology,  IP , data and privacy will enable me to develop my practice and enhance the firm's position as a trailblazer in innovation of legal services."