Legal 500 firm
“We are incredibly proud of this milestone,” says Ernst van Win, one of the earliest partners at De Clercq and a driving force behind the firm’s growth. “When I started in 1983, De Clercq was still a general practice with two lawyers. Together with Paul de Clercq, we transitioned into a firm with over 30 lawyers and notaries, focusing on entrepreneurs, governments, and works councils both domestically and internationally. Being listed in The Legal 500, an online guide recognizing outstanding legal expertise worldwide, is a wonderful acknowledgment of our quality and dedication.”
A year of celebrations
To mark this special anniversary, De Clercq is organizing a series of events and activities for clients, employees, and partners. The anniversary year kicks off with various workshops addressing current legal issues, followed by sports events like the Leiden Marathon and a cycling tour. Additionally, De Clercq will further enhance its social responsibility—recognized last year with its B Corp certification—through pro bono projects and collaborations with local initiatives, including the Salvation Army.
Pioneering diversity and equality
The anniversary year also provides an opportunity to reflect on key milestones in the firm’s history. One such milestone is the appointment of Henriëtte van Balen as De Clercq’s first female partner 35 years ago. “I look back with pride on what we’ve achieved together,” says Van Baalen, who recently stepped down as partner and lawyer but remains closely involved with De Clercq as a mediator, coach, and peer review facilitator. “What makes me particularly happy is that 50% of our partnership now consists of women. It’s wonderful to see how diversity has increasingly become a core value here.”
Looking ahead
While the 175th anniversary is a time for celebration and reflection, De Clercq is primarily focused on the future. “The world is changing, and so are the legal challenges our clients face,” says Natascha van Duuren, partner in IT, Privacy & Cybersecurity. “We remain committed to innovation and adapting our services to meet those changing needs. As always, we aim to be a reliable partner for our clients.”
For more information about the anniversary activities and highlights from De Clercq’s history, visit www.declercq.com/175-jaar.