Willem Heemskerk

Willem Heemskerk has been with Pels Rijcken since 1992 and is one of the most experienced litigators in the Netherlands. He handles complex civil law disputes for mainly large national and international companies. His areas of expertise include liability, damage & insurance, professional liability, attachment, collection and enforcement, and media law. Willem acts as counsel both in adjudication as well as arbitral proceedings. 

He is regarded as a leading expert in Dutch civil procedural law; he has many publications to his name, was the Vice President of the Dutch State Advisory Committee on procedural law, and regularly serves as expert in foreign proceedings. For many years, Willem is ranked in Band 1 for Dispute Resolution in the Chambers Global and Europe Guide and in the Hall of Fame for Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation in The Legal 500 Guide. In late 2018, Willem was recognised as the “Best Litigator in the Netherlands” in an election organised by the VIA.

Recommendations

• "Willem Heemskerk has been one of the best reputed litigators in Netherlands for decades." - Legal 500, 2025
• "Willem Heemskerk keeps a strategic overview and manages the team on a high level, giving room to individuals to master subtopics but never losing sight of the bigger picture. He's the chess player that is playing on several boards. He has also the ability to surround himself with critical thinkers, who can dive in deep on certain aspects." - Legal 500, 2025
• "Willem Heemskerk is a very experienced and amiable lawyer who provides excellent legal advice and represents the specific interests of the client. He is also decisive when it comes to strategy." - Chambers Global, 2025
• "Willem Heemskerk is an excellent lawyer in terms of both oral and written advocacy. He really masters the subject and is able to supervise and lead the team in the proceedings." - Chambers Global, 2025
• "Willem Heemskerk is an impressive senior leader – he exudes a calm image but knows when to fight." - The Legal 500, 2024
• "Willem Heemskerk is one of the best for litigation. He wins cases because of his knowledge and strategies, but always with respect for others and he would never undermine them. Therefore he is a very mature lawyer, who handles cases with humour and respect." - The Legal 500, 2024
• “His main quality is definitely his sharp but amiable approach of things. He is very responsive, always available and makes sure there is a smart team around him.” - Chambers Global, 2024
• “Willem Heemskerk is very knowledgeable, very responsive and highly motivated to achieve an optimal outcome.” - Chambers Global, 2024
• "Willem Heemskerk is an impressive senior leader – he exudes a calm image but knows when to fight." - Chambers Europe, 2024
• "Willem Heemskerk is one of the best for litigation. He wins cases because of his knowledge and strategies, but always with respect for others and he would never undermine them. Therefore he is a very mature lawyer, who handles cases with humour and respect." - Chambers Europe, 2024