Specialisation

Willemijn focuses her legal practice on the areas of real estate and development and public- private partnerships. In 2008, she successfully completed Grotius Academy, European and Dutch Procurement law (cum laude). From 2000 to November 2010, Willemijn worked at leading Dutch law firm Houthoff Buruma, in the Litigation & Insurance and Real Estate departments. She was a senior member of the practice groups for Real estate Development and Procurement. Willemijn joined the law firm Legaltree in 2010 as a partner. After a break, Willemijn continues her career at het own lawn firm WIRE Legal.

Willemijn Ritsema van Eck advises both private parties and government agencies with regard to real estate and development issues and procurement. Clients value her quick understanding of the market they operate in and her excellent expertise. With her creativity and her commercial approach Willemijn often succeeds in finding a solution, even in the most complex matters.

Education

Utrecht University (Civil Law)
Grotius Academy, Finance & Securities
Grotius Academy, European and Dutch Procurement Law (with honours)

Relevant experience

Preferred supplier of the Municipality Schiedam regarding real estate development, since 2015. Willemijn advises the municipality in the preparation stage of new developments, during the negotiations with developers and after the project has been delivered. She advises on the type of contract that is suitable for the specific situation, with a keen eye on the commercial interests of both parties.

Real estate projects for which Willemijn has provided the legal services are: housing 
projects Harga Zuid (160 houses), Harga Midden (400 houses), Schiedam Kethel (100 houses), sports and utilities project Sportpark Koning Willem-Alexander (capex E 25 milj, on the roof of the tunnel of the A4 highway) and the new upcoming project Schieveste (3500 houses/appartments). For more information see www.schiedaminbeweging.info and www.schiedam.nl/nieuws/woningbouw-schieveste-van-start.

Willemijn is long-time adviser for variety of companies that participate in tender procedures on a regular basis. These include companies active in IT, professional care, medium-heavy industries, recycling and salt trading. These clients operate cross- border and internationally. Willemijn advises her clients on strategic choices and the compliance of their tender documents. If a client is dissatisfied by the outcome of a tender procedure, Willemijn advises on the legal possibilities to challenge it. When doing so, she also assesses whether alternative dispute resolution is an option. Willemijn also represents clients in summary proceedings in which the intention to grant a tender is challenged.

Publications and lecturing

In addition to her work as an lawyer, Willemijn lectures procurement law at Sdu Publishers. Also, she has been a teacher at the Amsterdam School of Real Estate. For clients, she provides in-house training and lectures. 
 Since 2013, Wilemijn Ritsema van Eck has been an author for the national journal on procurement law ‘Jurisprudentie Aanbestedingsrecht’ (JAAN). Her articles are published on a regular basis. Her articles are published in other professional magazines (i.e. Tendernieuwsbrief, Tijdschrift voor Aanbestedingsrecht) as well.

Ancillary activities

Willemijn is co-owner of the consultancy firm Beauraing BV. With Beauraing, Willemijn and her partner Gerard Wervers combine their knowledge about real estate, developments and building projects. Beauraing provide a full service package to clients, from the start of a development until the delivery. The Santos project is one of the first projects under the flag of Beauraing see www.beauraing.eu for more information.