Educated at Tilburg University with a LL.M. degree in International Business Law, prior to R&P China Lawyers, Robin trained at Baker & McKenzie (Amsterdam) and leading Dutch firm Boekel De Nerée (Amsterdam).

As Principal, he advises and assists predominantly European and Northern American clients with business activities all over China. With his knowledge and understanding of the foreign and Chinese legal and business environment, he is an important bridge between many international clients and the firm’s Chinese legal specialists in various fields.

His focus lies with supporting international retailers and brands active in China with selling through brick-and-mortar stores, distributors and e-commerce channels, as well as sourcing and importing.

He furthermore supports MNCs, SMEs and start-ups active in the following industries: manufacturing, trade, sourcing, machinery, agriculture, real estate, F&B, selling products (retail, e-commerce, distribution), selling services (software, IT, creative, AV, elderly & day care), entertainment (licensing rights, theatre, film, musical, music), social media & app’s.

Robin has important experience in the field of M&A, and Corporate & Commercial legal issues. In addition, together with our Employment and Dispute Resolution team, he advises many clients on the best strategy to resolve their disputes with employees and third parties.

As Head of Private Client Services, he has been the confidant of many foreign individuals with their criminal, personal, family or employment disputes in China.

Besides presenting and writing on legal and business topics, Robin has been a lecturer of a full curriculum course “Chinese Business Law” at the famous Donghua University in Shanghai during the past years.

Leading directories Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and Asialaw have recommended or recognized his expertise for Corporate/M&A in the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Representative cases: (2017)

- Assisted a European retailer on e-commerce matters including: establishing e-commerce and T-Mall operations and related service contracts

- Assisted four (4) European brands by successfully purchasing ‘their’ trademark through pressure on and negotiations with trademark squatter

- Assisted five (5) European brands that sell online and offline in China with incorporation of their Chinese subsidiary (WFOE)

- Advised on, registration of and appealed against trademarks in China for over 25 foreign brands

- Assisted three (3) horticulture clients with their China entry, including: WFOE establishment, trademarks, contracts, employment, tax, and immigration/visa

- Assisted an European manufacturer to re-gain control over their facility, and terminate and successfully seek large damages fraudulent General Manager

- Liquidated three (3) manufacturing facilities and terminated all staff during large layoffs

- Assisted two (2) European companies with Sino-Foreign joint venture negotiations

Representative cases: (2016)

- Assisted an European retailer on all matters including: establishment of a Sino-Foreign JV, JV contract, establishing e-commerce and T-Mall operations, supplier contracts

- Assisted a large Canadian entertainment company with its FDI project, including: WFOE incorporation, investment structuring, international tax advice, investment negotiation and agreement, lease contract, construction contracts, project management contract

- Assisted with restructuring of US invested manufacturing facilities and trading companies, including:liquidation of Manufacturing WFOE and Rep Office, establishment of new Trading WFOE, layoff of all employees, termination of various leases

- Assisted and represented US defendant in a SHIAC arbitration case regarding quality of goods dispute and breach of contract

- Assisted and represented European claimant in a SHIAC arbitration case regarding quality of goods dispute and breach of contract

- Assisted and represented European PE firm in a Shanghai litigation case regarding debt collection and breach of contract

- Assisted with manufacturing facility layoff of 50+ staff, including: legal opinion on termination, preparation of strategy and documents, on-site terminations/negotiations with all staff, severance pay calculations, settled with over 90% of staff

- Provided legal advice to a UK company regarding termination strategy, legal grounds, negotiations, settlement, calculations related to termination of key manager and CFO

- Assisted and represented European company with infringement investigation, legal advice, AIC raid, civil law suits regarding three major infringements of our client’s trademark and patent

- Assisted and represented US company with infringement investigation, legal advice, AIC raid, civil law suits regarding one major infringement of trademarks as well as design rights of our client’s valuable products

- Assisted and represented Canadian company with acquiring their hijacked trademark through negotiations and legal arguments of bad faith registration

- Assisted and represented European client with re-obtaining their trademark through pressure on and negotiations with their distributor

- Assisted an European cultivator of vegetables with its greenhouses project, partnership, WFOE establishment, IP applications, and sales operations in China

- Assisted an European machinery manufacturer with its joint venture negotiations in China

- Assisted an European farming equipment and product company with sales operations in China

- Assisted an European plant breeding company with its IP enforcement in China

- Assisted an European flour producer with its IP issues and sales operations in China

- Assisted an European dairy food company with its IP applications and sales operations in China

- Assisted an European fruit trader with its IP issues, WFOE establishment, and sales operations in China

Personal Accolades:    

     

Chambers & Partners
2013 (PRC; Recognized for Corporate / M&A)
2014 (PRC; Recognized for Corporate / M&A)
2015 (PRC; Recognized for Corporate / M&A)
2016 (PRC; Recognized for Corporate / M&A)
2017 (PRC; Recognized for Corporate / M&A)
2018 (PRC; Recognized for Corporate / M&A)

Legal500
2014 (PRC; Recommended for Corporate/M&A)
2015 (PRC; Recommended for Corporate/M&A)
2016 (PRC; Recommended for Corporate/M&A)
2017 (PRC; Recommended for Corporate/M&A)

Asialaw Leading Lawyers
2013 (PRC; Recognized for Corporate / M&A)
2014 (PRC; Recognized for Corporate / M&A)
2015 (PRC; Recognized for Corporate / M&A)
2016 (PRC; Recognized for Corporate / M&A; Labour & Employment)
2017 (PRC; Recognized for Corporate / M&A; Labour & Employment)
2018 (PRC; Recognized for Corporate / M&A; Labour & Employment)