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Tom Claassens

Partner - Attorney at Law

Tom Claassens is a partner in Loyens & Loeff’s Litigation & Risk Management practice group.

+31 10 224 66 13

tom.claassens@loyensloeff.com

Amsterdam, Rotterdam

Dutch, English, German

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Tom has more than 30 years of experience and is widely recognized and recommended as one of the leading Dutch lawyers in the field of arbitration and litigation. He represents a broad range of clients, including large corporations and sovereign states. He is one of the only 9 Dutch lawyers who are listed in Chambers Global Guide 2023, 2022 and 2021 for the category ‘Arbitration Counsel’ in the Netherlands. Tom is also included in The Arbitration Powerlist: Benelux 2022 of The Legal 500. Also, Tom is listed in Who's Who Legal - Litigation 2022 as ‘Global Leader’ among only 16 Dutch litigation peers. Further, since 2020 Loyens & Loeff's arbitration group, which is co-managed by Tom, is listed in the GAR 100 (i.e., the Global Arbitration Review's guide to law firms 'approved' for international arbitration). Finally, Tom is a member of both the Advisory Board of the Netherlands Arbitration Institute (NAI) and the Executive Board of the Dutch Arbitration Association (DAA).

Expertises

02-04-2024

Secured another significant victory on behalf of the former majority shareholders of Yukos Oil

13-02-2025

Top ranking in Chambers Global Guide
25-04-2024

PAW 2024 - Where are the documents!
27-03-2024

International arbitration team once again included in the GAR 100
05-04-2023

Our International Arbitration team recognised as one of the world’s leading practices

02-06-2021

Friends of the Earth Netherlands et al. v Royal Dutch Shell
15-05-2020

the GAR100 rankings are published

Memberships

The Advisory Board of the Netherlands Arbitration Institute (NAI)

The Executive Board of the Dutch Arbitration Association (DAA)

Dutch Bar Association

Qualifications

Dutch Law, University of Leiden, 1991 (with honors)

Southern Methodist University Summer Program (Dallas, Texas) 1998

What others say

"Tom Claassens is a very smooth advocate, articulate and personable."

Chambers & Partners - Global (2024)

"Tom is a very good strategic thinker."

Chambers & Partners - Global (2024)

"Tom Claassens is a very smooth advocate, articulate and personable."

Chambers & Partners - Europe (2024)

"Tom is a very good strategic thinker."

Chambers & Partners - Europe (2024)

Tom L Claassens is ranked Band 2 for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Counsel

Chambers & Partners - Europe (2024)

"Tom Claassens is always a pleasure to work with – not only smart and eloquent but also a really nice guy."

Legal 500 - EMEA (2024)

"Tom Claassens and Melle Boevink are key. They are both excellent, responsive and pleasant to work with."

Legal 500 - EMEA (2024)

"Tom Claassens has broad experience of appearing before arbitral tribunals. Tom is a true leader, who at the same time offers a very personal approach to each client and every case. Tom is excellent both in his written submissions and on his feet before the court."

Legal 500 - EMEA (2024)

Tom Claassens named "Practice head" in Dispute Resolution: Arbitration

Legal 500 - EMEA (2024)

‘Tom Claassens has a sharp legal mind and excellent hearing presence, combined with a great sense of humor and the ability to make the most nervous client feel relaxed and confident.’

Legal 500 - EMEA (2023)

Tom Claassens named "Practice head" in Dispute Resolution: Arbitration

Legal 500 - EMEA (2023)

Tom Claassens particularly assists clients with the enforcement or annulment of arbitral awards. He also represents clients in shareholder disputes and damages claims under a variety of arbitral rules, including NAI and SIAC rules. A client appreciates that Tom Claassens has the "ability to really connect and get the best out of people," adding that "his approach to the people he works with is such that they feel really comfortable sharing everything, which strengthens the case."

Chambers & Partners - Global (2022)

‘Tom Claasens is experienced; and although originally and for a long time in his career a litigation lawyer, he has made a name for himself in arbitration in recent years’.

Legal 500 - EMEA (2022)

‘Tom Claassens is an excellent practitioner’.

Legal 500 - EMEA (2022)

‘Tom Claassens is very likeable, professional and with a good eye for what will be appreciated by the courts’.

Legal 500 - EMEA (2022)

"Tom Claassens has the ability to really connect and get the best out of people."

Chambers & Partners - Europe (2022)

Tom Claassens is recognised as Recommended in Commercial Litigation

Who's Who Legal - (2022)

Tom Claassens acts for a clientele of national states and domestic companies on arbitral matters covering commercial disputes, arbitral awards and bilateral investment treaties. Market commentators highlight his work in arbitration proceedings of an international scope.

Chambers & Partners - Global (2021)

‘Leading partner Tom Claassens is very smart and likeable. His team of associates work hard and are committed. The quality of the output is high. Tom Claassens is a great lawyer – smart, results-oriented, creative. He is the lead arbitration partner: experienced, smooth and well versed in the international arbitration practice. Being a very nice guy helps.'

Legal 500 - EMEA (2021)

According to sources, Tom Claassens is "first rate, intelligent and diligent." He acts for clients on arbitration proceedings following corporate transactions, joint ventures and arbitral award annulment procedures. His clients include multinational corporations and state governments.

Chambers & Partners - Global (2020)

"Tom Claassens has experience in commercial litigation and is increasingly focused on international arbitration. He is described as 'incredibly client-focused and smart' as well as a 'strategic thinker who comes up with creative arguments'."

Chambers & Partners - Europe (2019)

"Sources say: 'He is a fantastic lawyer: smart, effective, advises clients well, writes well and also speaks well in court'."

Chambers & Partners - Global (2018)

"According to clients, Loyens & Loeff’s team is ‘responsive, thorough, hardworking and a pleasure to work with’, and has significant experience representing international clients in International Chamber of Commerce proceedings. It is led by the ‘very detailed, thorough’ Tom Claassens, who is ‘an authority on Dutch civil procedure’ and 'a name to note'." Mr Claassens is also listed in Who's Who Legal: Litigation 2018 among only 16 Dutch litigation peers.

Legal 500 - EMEA (2018)