Frits van der Woude

Financial Lines / Professional indemnity / Director's & Officer's liability / Cyber / Fraud / Coverage disputes / Policy review / Regulatory / Mediation / Directors' Liability & Boardroom Counselling / Specialist Dispute Resolution

Before switching to the legal profession, Frits worked in the insurance sector for almost 20 years, where he held several positions in the area of placing and claims, both as a lawyer and as a board member. Since 2003 he has been working as an attorney in the areas between insurance law, professional liability and directors’ and supervisory directors’ liability. He works in large and media-sensitive cases and advises, litigates and arbitrates on coverage disputes at national and international insurance programs. For example, Frits represented insurers in the settlement of the shareholders' claim against Fortis, and he litigates for insurers in disputes concerning the insurance of directors and supervisory directors of Imtech.

Frits is a lecturer/researcher of Liability and Insurance at VU University Amsterdam. Frits has been chairman of the Insurances Committee of the Royal Dutch Association of Civil-Law Notaries. The Minister made him a member of the Actual Damage Committee in the Childcare Benefits Scandal (Toeslagenaffaire). Frits has also been a member of the Executive Committee of Kennedy Van der Laan NV. He is a member of the Support Committee for Legal Aid Lawyers of the Amsterdam Bar Association and an affiliate of the Dutch Society for Insurance Studies and the Dutch Association for Liability and Compensation Law. He teaches the Masterclass in Insurance Law for the Risk Insurance Traineeship of the Dutch Insurance Exchange Association.

After completing his Economics studies, Frits studied Dutch law and Notarial law. He is a trained mediator and completed the Course for Supervisory Directors at Nyenrode Business University.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Insurance - Tier 1

Kennedy Van der Laan advises on EU and Dutch financial regulation relating to insurance, as well as handling claims concerning casualty, property and engineering, and reviewing policies. The firm has a strong focus on claims and policy drafting, and clients include insurers, both domestic and international, insurance brokers, pools and loss adjusters. As a member of the international network of Global Access Lawyers, the firm has access to global expertise in insurance and liability law. The insurance practice is led by Chris van Dijk, Frits van der Woude, Peter van den Broek, Erik van Orsouw and Petra Oskam, with Jan Broekhuizen leading the regulatory insurance team. Marit van der Pool specialises in both defence and coverage work in professional indemnity and directors’ and officers’ liability matters.

Chambers Europe 2023 - Insurance - Ranked

Frits Van der Woude represents clients in insurance and liability mandates, particularly focusing on D&O and professional indemnity matters. "The fact that Frits used to work for an insurance broker means that he really understands the questions of the client." "Frits is a deep thinker and strategically really strong."

The Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - Insurance - Tier 1

Reflective of Kennedy Van der Laan‘s presence in the insurance market, it generates mandates from a wide variety of clients, notably insurance companies active in the Netherlands, insurance brokers, loss adjusters, insurance brokers and corporates. The firm is highly active in insurance regulatory matters (an area that is led by Jan Broekhuizen), and it also provides assistance with policy drafting and reviews of policy wording. In addition, insurance claims are another key pillar of the practice; a name to note in this space is Peter van den Broek, whose workload includes international claims and construction-related coverage disputes. Frits van der Woude focuses on policy disputes and professional indemnity claims, and he is also an expert in in D&O liability and professional liability. Chris van Dijk and Petra Oskam are particularly well-known for their personal injury expertise. Erik van Orsouw is another experienced practitioner at the firm.

Chambers Europe 2022 - Insurance - Ranked

Frits Van der Woude represents clients in insurance and liability matters in relation to bankruptcy proceedings, including D&O and professional indemnity. Clients consider him to be "a hands-on lawyer with deep knowledge of the insurance industry."

Chambers Europe 2021 - Insurance - Ranked

Frits van der Woude represents clients in coverage disputes regarding D&O and professional indemnity. He also advises on insurance and liability matters in relation to bankruptcy proceedings.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2020 - Insurance

The team at Kennedy Van der Laan 'provides practical solutions' and also stands out for its 'strong personal relationship' with clients. The firm has a strong record in advising on all aspects of Dutch and European financial services regulation applicable to insurers, brokers and other insurance distributors, as well as assisting with claims and reviewing policy wordings. The 'experienced' Peter van den Broek specialises in product recall. For corporate insurance matters, Jan Broekhuizen is the name to note and Erik van Orsouw leads on work with insurance brokers and intermediaries. Also recommended are Chris van Dijk, Frits van der Woude, Petra Oskam and senior associate Mark Wisse.

Chambers Europe 2020 - Insurance - Ranked

Frits Van der Woude is noted for his expertise in financial lines, and has significant knowledge of D&O and professional indemnity cases. One client states: "He is a pragmatic person with a hands-on approach in handling issues. He listens to clients' requests and is solution-driven."

The Legal 500 EMEA 2019 - Insurance

Kennedy Van der Laan 'has a pragmatic approach, focuses on priorities, and is a great partner'. Peter van den Broek is recommended along with Frits van der Woude and associate Mark Wisse. Senior partners Erik van Orsouw heads the insurance and liability practice and Chris van Dijk has a focus on claims relating to personal injuries. AIG, Zurich, Chubb, and AON are clients and recent work includes advising on large claims in the construction industry; various regulations and advice on insurance and liability issues in connection with the use of asbestos and the insurance implications of product recalls.

Chambers Europe 2019 - Insurance - Ranked

Frits Van der Woude is noted for his expertise in financial lines, and has significant knowledge of D&O and professional indemnity cases. One client states: "He is a pragmatic person with a hands-on approach in handling issues. He listens to clients' requests and is solution-driven."

Chambers Europe 2018 - Insurance and Liability - Ranked

"Frits Van der Woude draws on extensive prior experience of working in the insurance industry to advise clients on a range of matters, including D&O, professional liability and professional indemnity claims, as well as policy and coverage issues. Clients enthuse that he is "a true professional with an impressive track record who is really connected in the insurance industry."

• Representing and advising insurance companies and their clients in multiple high-profile cases where Directors or Officers were held liable for bankruptcy.