
Kirstin van der Bruggen–Nijburg
Kirstin specialises in commercial arbitration and litigation. She has acted as counsel in international and domestic arbitration proceedings under a variety of rules (including ICC, UNCITRAL and NAI), as well as in proceedings before the Dutch courts. Kirstin has particular experience in disputes involving commercial contracts, large-scale construction projects (a.o. FIDIC-based), and post M&A, and has represented clients across various sectors including construction, energy, health tech, and retail. Kirstin joined Ysquare from a global specialty chemicals company, where she worked as Director Legal. Prior to that, Kirstin spent 12 years at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, both in their Amsterdam and Singapore offices. Kirstin graduated from Maastricht University and received an LL.M. from Columbia Law School, New York. She is admitted to the Bars in the Netherlands and New York. Kirstin also acts as arbitrator.
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
Construction
High-stakes arbitration against a subsidiary of a state owned oil and gas company at the Asian International Arbitration Centre regarding the construction of a semi-floating production platform
Advising a multinational electric utility company in a dispute with its EPCM contractor involving the construction of a power block for a 800MW power plant
Energy
ICC price review arbitrations under German law for an international energy company arising out of long-term gas supply contracts
Chip Manufacturing
Three ICC arbitration proceedings in Paris concerning disputes over take or pay obligations, and post-M&A issues
Health Tech
ICC arbitration in Berlin for a leading health technology company regarding the supply and distribution of medical equipment
Pharma
NAI arbitration for a multinational pharmaceutical company concerning a dispute over the research and development, production, marketing, and sale of a drug
Food Retail
Litigation for major supermarket chain against over 200 franchisees in relation to the distribution of costs and revenue as accrued under franchise contracts
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Since 2019
Ysquare | Attorney
2018 – 2019
Nouryon | Director Legal, Industrial Chemicals
2007 – 2018
De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, The Netherlands | Attorney
2016 – 2018
De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, Singapore | Attorney
2014
Philips, South Africa | Legal Counsel (Seconded)
EDUCATION
2008
Columbia University School of Law (New York) | LL.M.
2005
Uppsala University, Sweden | Exchange Program
2006
Maastricht University | LL.M.
BAR ADMISSIONS
The Netherlands (2007), New York (2009)
PUBLICATIONS
The European & Middle Eastern Arbitration Review: The Netherlands, Global Arbitration Review (Editions 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 – co-author Bommel van der Bend)
GAR Construction Arbitration know-how: The Netherlands, Global Arbitration Review, February 2014 (co-author Bommel van der Bend)
Arbitration Law Reform in The Netherlands, Les Cahiers de l’Arbitrage – The Paris Journal of International Arbitration, October 2012 (co-authors Marnix Leijten and Edward van Geuns)
LANGUAGES
Dutch, English, German