Van Doorne in banking coup with Nauta swoop

Dutch firm Van Doorne has raided the London office of rival Nauta Dutilh and hired well-known banking and securities partner Dirk Blaisse.

Blaisse, who began his career with the Dutch heavyweight in 1989, joins Van Doorne on 1 July to become managing partner of its London office. He takes over from Stefan van Rossum, who was in charge from early 2002 until the middle of 2004, since when Tim Schreuders has acted as resident partner.

Blaisse has been a partner with Nauta since 1998 and has been based in London since 1996.

Roel Botter, the head of Van Doorne's banking and finance practice, said Blaisse's exposure to the London market meant he had "excellent" connections in the banking sector. He added: "His arrival not only strengthens the London office, but also Van Doorne's finance practice generally."

Van Doorne was created in 2000 when the former Dutch giant Trenité Van Doorne split in two. Nolst Trenité, based in Amsterdam, merged with Simmons & Simmons in 2001, while the Rotterdam-based Van Doorne merged with Landwell on 1 January 2004.