Why are you working at Hertoghs?
After having worked at the research department of the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, I was looking to leverage my knowledge and experience as an attorney. I saw cases where taxpayers could have achieved more had they had the right legal counsel. At Hertoghs, I am challenged every day to come up with arguments that will make a difference for taxpayers. For us, working on the best results for the client is a team effort. I get an energy boost from bouncing ideas back and forth with my co-workers at the highest level. That is why I work at Hertoghs. And of course because of the results we achieve thanks to our way of working.
What attracts you in Hertoghs’ areas of expertise?
We do not provide tax services, but we are called in when the tax authorities ask clients questions about a tax opinion or a tax return. It always takes some creativity to devise the approach that is the best fit for the client. Since I was not involved in preparing the tax return, I can start with a blank canvas. Engaging with the tax authorities and litigating cases in tax court are different every time.
What is your particular expertise and how did you develop it?
I specialise in procedural tax law and cassation proceedings. I got interested in this discipline when I worked at the research department of the Supreme Court. I put my knowledge and experience to use for clients that have, or are likely to develop, a dispute with the tax authorities. In the past few years, my focus has been on cases involving residence and domicile status. In this context, I gained in-depth expertise of the scope of digital and other disclosure requirements. If, as a last resort, we end up in court, I harness my expertise to assist clients in proceedings where they have been ordered to provide information. In tax proceedings, it is crucial that you oversee the playing field to determine the right strategy. That is very rewarding.
I am also experienced at litigating cases involving foreign assets, including the tax qualification of structures. I wrote a book about my experiences in this field called De jacht op buitenlands vermogen (The hunt for foreign assets).
What is your definition of a good attorney?
I would say that a good attorney uses their subject matter expertise to come up with scenarios for tackling an issue. A good attorney listens to the client and to others, and is a team player.
What can you share about your private life?
I like to spend my spare time with my family. I relax by meeting people for drinks, going for a walk or a run to get some fresh air, or reading a book.
Side activities
- Member of the NOVA Board of Discipline (as of 02-2023)
- Member of the Tax Law Advisory Committee of the Netherlands Bar Association (NOVA)
- Member of the Dutch Association of Lawyers and Tax Experts (NVAB)
- Board member of the Association of Cassation Specialists Tax Chamber (VCSB)
- Member of Association for Tax Science
- Juror NL Fiscaal for the Literature Prize
Publication of books
Magazine publications
- NL Fiscaal Knowledge Base Formal Tax Law
- Annotator at NL Fiscaal and Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Fiscaal Recht (NTFR)
- Publications in professional literature
