Houthoff Podcast

Having a clear view of developments in class actions, particularly in Europe, is key. Isabella Wijnberg, lead researcher of the Houthoff Class Action Survey, has an in-depth understanding of the field. She foresees greater market harmonisation and a rise in number of cases. In the final episode of the Class Action in Action podcast series, Isabella shares her compelling vision of what lies ahead....

In Italy, mass claims are relatively new. In recent years, the number of cases has grown significantly, with 35 new cases filed in 2025 alone. This development requires adjustments from both lawyers and their clients. Luca Ferrari from Milan is Head of the Finance & Financial Services Litigation Practice Area at the leading firm Chiomenti. He explains what these adjustments entail. ABOUT CLASS ACT...

The European Representative Actions Directive has not yet been implemented in Spain. When and how this will happen remains to be seen. Once it does, it will have a significant impact on the work of Miguel Ángel Cepero, a lawyer in Madrid at the renowned firm Uría Menéndez. He hopes the system will not follow the American or Dutch model. ABOUT CLASS ACTION IN ACTION PODCAST In the ever-changing wor...

If there is one European jurisdiction where the mass claims landscape has undergone significant change in recent years, it is the Netherlands. These developments bring both opportunities and challenges. The key question is: how should organisations navigate this evolving landscape? In this episode, mass claims expert Albert Knigge reflects on the impact of these developments on day-to-day practice...

Mass claims in Germany are picking up speed. Yet the system in Europe’s largest economy is still waiting for major reforms. Henner Schläfke, head of the class and mass action defence practice group at Germany’s leading law firm Noerr, sheds light on current developments and possible next steps. One thing is certain: small issues can lead to large-scale risks. ABOUT CLASS ACTION IN ACTION PODCAST T...

To opt in or to opt out, that is the question. After ten years of the opt-out system, the UK government has launched a consultation to review its future. Defence lawyer and specialist Alex Evans of London’s top firm Macfarlanes shares his perspective and explains which of the two he believes is the right approach. ABOUT CLASS ACTION IN ACTION PODCAST The world of class actions is undergoing rapid...

Although Portugal is a relatively small jurisdiction, it has become the European epicentre of class actions. Sofia Vaz Sampaio, head of the litigation and arbitration team at the top ranked Morais Leitão in Lisbon, is at the forefront of these developments. Has the number of cases peaked, or are there signs of stabilisation? ABOUT CLASS ACTION IN ACTION PODCAST The world of class actions is underg...

The world of class actions is undergoing rapid transformation. Legislative frameworks are evolving and collective litigation is gaining traction, placing more organisations at the centre of complex mass claims. In season two of the Houthoff podcast series Class Action in Action, defence lawyers from different jurisdictions once again share their insights and expectations for the near future. Toget...

Deglobalisation has a very noticeable impact on M&A deals. The higher the world tension, the more checks governments carry out during the deal process. This dynamic can lead to extra complexity. Houthoff partner and M&A lawyer Philip van der Eijk knows very well how to handle it. He explains to Dave Cohen the current challenges in cross-border deals.

If the former General Counsel of Dutch semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia learned anything from being majorly hit by the impact of deglobalisation, it is: think like a Corporate Affairs Officer, invest in relationships before you need them, and implement scenario planning. Charles Smit, now Associate Partner at FGS Hague Corporate Affairs, shares his experiences with Dave Cohen and offers advice...

Richard Willis is partner in the Litigation, Dispute Resolution and Investigations practice at Arthur Cox in Ireland. He discusses the emerging state of class actions in Ireland. Although third-party funding is still not permitted, there is a sense that this might change in the near future. ABOUT CLASS ACTION IN ACTION PODCAST In the ever-changing domain of class actions, two things are certain: l...

Henner Schlaefke is partner at the German firm Noerr, where he is a specialist in banking and capital markets law. He advocates for a new system for class actions in Germany, as the current system is far from ideal. ABOUT CLASS ACTION IN ACTION PODCAST In the ever-changing domain of class actions, two things are certain: legislation is rapidly evolving across Europe and beyond, and an increasing n...

Simon Day, partner at Macfarlanes in London, specialises in competition litigation and collective actions. He notes that starting a class action in the UK is relatively straightforward, but warns that the risk of abuse is a concern for the future. ABOUT CLASS ACTION IN ACTION PODCAST In the ever-changing domain of class actions, two things are certain: legislation is rapidly evolving across Europe...

Mariana Soares David is partner at the Portuguese law firm Morais Leitão and is part of their litigation and arbitration team. In just a few years, the number of class action cases in Portugal has grown at an unparalleled rate compared to other jurisdictions. Although the country is still adapting to this surge, it has become a formidable force in class action litigation. ABOUT CLASS ACTION IN ACT...

Roger Cooper is partner at the New York-based law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, where he leads the securities and M&A litigation practice. He is passionate about working on class action cases but believes that the financial incentives to initiate such lawsuits in the US are somewhat excessive. ABOUT CLASS ACTION IN ACTION PODCAST In the ever-changing domain of class actions, two things ar...

Isabella Wijnberg is lawyer and mediator at the Dutch law firm Houthoff. She led the Houthoff Class Action Survey, a major study on class actions across 12 countries that she also conducted in 2019. She predicts that the Netherlands could become the epicentre of class actions in Europe in the coming years. ABOUT CLASS ACTION IN ACTION PODCAST In the ever-changing domain of class actions, two thing...

Er zijn culturele verschillen tussen landen die van invloed zijn op een mediationtraject. Over het onderscheid tussen de Nederlandse stijl van business mediation en de Angelsaksische variant: Willy de Mooij. Ze was als bestuurder bij Vestia jarenlang (mede)verantwoordelijk voor het afwikkelen van het miljarden derivatenschandaal van de woningbouwcoöperatie. Bij het oplossen van de problemen met pa...

Een succesvol fusie- of overnameproces vraagt veel van de onderhandelaars. De vaardigheden van een mediator kunnen -naast andere factoren- grote impact hebben op de uitkomst van een deal. Over welke technieken advocaten in hun voordeel kunnen inzetten: Richard Witvliet, M&A-advocaat en partner bij Houthoff en mediator.

Zakelijke geschillen zijn van alle tijden. Deze oplossen via mediation was er nog niet altijd. Hoe mediation z'n intrede deed op de corporate werkvloer: Peter Bouwes Bavinck, voormalig Head of Legal bij ING en Nationale-Nederlanden.

De bestuurskamer is uiteraard niet gevrijwaard van onderlinge spanningen. Hoe conflicten daar ontstaan en worden opgelost, met behoud van de goede relatie door mediationvaardigheden: Marry de Gaay Fortman, trusted boardroom advisor, Houthoffadvocaat en commissaris bij verschillende grote organisaties. Ze is zeer ervaren in conflictmanagement op C-level en is bestuurslid van Mundi Mediatores, een i...

Hoe professioneel iemand ook is, emoties spelen altijd een belangrijke rol in de dynamiek tussen mensen. Zeker als er een zakelijk conflict is, is het van groot belang om te begrijpen welke invloed emoties hebben op ons denken. Over de impact van emoties in conflicten: George Smits, docent aan de Tilburg University, psycholoog en mediator.

Advocaten wordt steeds vaker gevraagd om mediation-vaardigheden in te zetten. Over wat mediation advocacy is en hoe het een strategische aanvulling kan zijn: corporate litigator Isabella Wijnberg, advocaat bij Houthoff, gespecialiseerd in massaschadeclaims en IMI Certified Mediator. Binnen Houthoff is ze verantwoordelijk voor mediation-trainingen.

De Houthoff-podcast is terug. In See you in Mediation gaat Dave Cohen in gesprek met Houthoff-advocaten, mediators, een psycholoog en bestuurders over hoe business mediation werkt en welke vaardigheden nodig zijn om zakelijke geschillen succesvol op te lossen. Vanaf 20 maart om de week een nieuwe aflevering op Spotify en Apple Podcasts. Volg de podcast en mis geen aflevering!

• Muziek: Coppelia • Componist: Léo Delibes • Orkest: Het Balletorkest • Dirigent: Koen Kessels In het Decoratelier van Nationale Opera & Ballet ruik je het houtzaagsel en zie je de verfspatten op de vloer. Het grootste theaterproductiehuis van Nederland maakt alles zelf door teams van vakspecialisten. Het zijn mensen die normaal niet in de schijnwerpers staan. Luister naar een rekwisiteur, produc...

In het Decoratelier van Nationale Opera & Ballet ruik je het houtzaagsel en zie je de verfspatten op de vloer. Het grootste theaterproductiehuis van Nederland maakt alles zelf door teams van vakspecialisten. Het zijn mensen die normaal niet in de schijnwerpers staan. Luister naar een rekwisiteur, productievoorbereider en een kostuumbeheerder, over hoe zij te werk gaan en wat hun uitdagingen zijn.