Ellen Soerjatin

Ellen is co-founder of Evers Soerjatin, and was partner until 1 January 2021. Since that date she is of counsel of the firm. As corporate governance specialist, Ellen represents clients in inquiry proceedings before the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal, D&O liability proceedings and corporate law disputes. She also defends accountants, lawyers, civil-law notaries and tax lawyers in professional liability claims (civil claims and disciplinary complaints). She furthermore handles various commercial disputes (including M&A disputes) before the Dutch courts and (inter)national arbitration institutes. Ellen has frequently acted as investigator, temporary supervisory director or custodian of shares, appointed by the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal in inquiry proceedings. Besides working as a lawyer, Ellen holds additional (inter alia supervisory) positions.

Examples of work

  • Representation of Spanish listed company in a dispute with minority shareholders.
  • Representation of a group of franchisees in inquiry proceedings against DIY store conglomerate Intergamma with regard to, among other things, amendment of governance structure and shareholders' information rights.
  • Representation of an expropriated party in the indemnification proceedings following the nationalisation of SNS Reaal.
  • Representation of various investment firms in takeover or M&A disputes.
  • Defence of various professionals in professional liability claims (civil and disciplinary).
  • Representation of long-term shareholder Franklin Templeton in the inquiry proceedings against AkzoNobel following AkzoNobel's rejection of PPG's hostile bid.
  • Defended digital printing company Xeikon in inquiry proceedings before the Enterprise Chamber initiated by minority shareholders regarding the company's policy during the period of its listing on the stock exchange.
  • Excellent technical and legal skills and knowledge.
    Chambers
  • Extremely focused, capable and very realistic in her advice.
    Chambers
  • Keen eye on the various interests at play.
    Chambers
  • Very sharp mind.
    Chambers
  • Not only a technically good lawyer but someone with a holistic view – she is very experienced.
    Chambers
  • Unbeatable litigator.
    Chambers
  • Many lawyers take a long time to earn my trust but she impressed me from day one.
    Chambers
  • Amazingly responsive.
    Legal500

  • Publications

    See overview

  • Other work experience

    Prior to the launch of Evers Soerjatin, Ellen was a partner at, inter alia, Stek (2011–2016), and DLA Piper (1993–2008), where she headed the Amsterdam Litigation & Regulatory practice group. Between 2008 and 2011, Ellen was an advisor to the Board of the Dutch Healthcare Authority. Ellen holds several supervisory board memberships, she is member of the Forensic Accountancy Chamber (advising on new standards for forensic accountancy) and the Internal Investigations Chamber of the Institute for Financial Crime, and she has been a member of the Appellate Disciplinary Court. Ellen is fellow of ZIFO (Zuidas Institute for Financial law and Corporate law), en is a member of the committee advising the Dutch Register on Court Appointed Experts (NRGD) on the standards for admitting experts in the field of forensic investigations.

  • Education

    Dutch law and French language and literature, University of Utrecht (1993)
    Mediation training, Conflict Mediation Centre (2007)
    Rimari Curriculum for court appointed officials in inquiry proceedings (2021)
    Post doc Company and corporate Law, Grotius Academy (2002)

  • Memberships

    Corporate Litigation Association
    Commercial Mediaton Association
    Accounting Law Association
    Stichting Rimari (a Dutch foundation for officers appointed by the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal)

  • Languages

    Dutch, English, French