Image

Jochem Spaans

Partner

Email

jochem.spaans@aoshearman.com

Phone

+31 20 674 1500

Offices

Amsterdam

V-CARD
Jochem advises on a wide range of environmental and regulatory matters, including complex (environmental) permitting proceedings; sustainability and ESG (including CSRD, supply chain due diligence, disclosures and green claims/greenwashing); climate transition and renewables projects (including EU Green Deal, EU ETS, carbon markets); environmental risk management (in corporate transactions and in project-finance, both for sponsors and lenders); product stewardship (including REACH, WEEE, RoHS, Batteries), waste and safety; project development and zoning.

Jochem has broad experience in representing and advising major international and national businesses in complex environmental (operating) permitting and zoning procedures, and in handling related litigation work, as well as in developing compliance programmes across a broad range of regulatory, including product stewardship, and risk areas. He has been involved in many offshore and onshore wind projects, solar projects and hydrogen projects, as well as mandates for conventional power stations and (petro-)chemical industry sites. His clients operate across jurisdictions and in multiple sectors, including energy, industrials, chemicals, technology, project developers, financial services and many more.

Jochem has practised in environmental and public law for over 20 years and has been recognized as a leading practitioner in his field for many years. Jochem has a deep understanding of the different procedures, approaches and strategies required to deal with complex environmental and public law issues, and has extensive litigation experience in these areas before administrative courts.

Experience

Representative matters

  • Advising a global data center operator in respect of the development and operation of several data centers and related infrastructure in the Amsterdam area.
  • Advising a global chemicals company on the development of a hydrogen facility in the Rotterdam area.
  • Advising a global electronics manufacturer on EU product stewardship requirements, including on compliance and product recall strategies.
  • Advising a global trading company on ESG-related reporting and disclosure requirements, including on supply chain due diligence, climate litigation and on business human rights. 
  • Advising a national project developer on the development of a complex mixed residential work area in the greater Amsterdam region.

Published Work

  • Mr. dr. R. van der Hulle en mr. dr. L.A.J. Spaans, (2022) “De Porthos-zaak, Annotatie bij Raad van State 2 november 2022, ECLI:NL:RVS:2022:3159”, Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Energierecht nr. 5/6, Laren: Uitgeverij Den Hollander 
  • Prof. mr. drs. F.C.M.A. Michiels, bewerkt door mr. dr. A.B. Blomberg en mr. dr. L.A.J. Spaans, (2022) “Hoofdzaken van het bestuursrecht”, Deventer: Wolters Kluwer 
  • Mr. dr. M.A.M. Dieperink en mr. dr. L.A.J. Spaans, (2019) “Klimaatverandering vergt schaarse vergunningen. Kunnen schaarse vergunningen het omgevingsrecht beter equiperen om klimaatverandering tegen te gaan?”, Verwant met verband: Ruimte, Recht en Wetenschap, Vriendenbundel voor prof. mr. J. Struiksma, Den Haag: Stichting Instituut voor Bouwrecht 
  • Mr. L.A.J. Spaans, (2002) “Milieukwaliteitsnormstelling, Over de wijze van milieukwaliteitsnormstelling binnen de democratische rechtsstaat (dissertatie)”, Den Haag: Boom Juridische uitgevers

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Assistant-professor, VU University Amsterdam

Recognition

“Very knowledgeable and commercially aware.”
Chambers Europe (Public Law: Planning & Environment), 2023
“His extensive knowledge on environmental and spatial law, as well as his knowledge of our company and field in general, makes him a strong partner for us.”
Chambers Europe (Public Law: Planning & Environment), 2023

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as advocaat, the Netherlands, 2003

Listed in the register of legal practice areas of the Dutch Bar Association for Bestuursrecht

Academic

Spatial planning and Environmental law, Grotius Academy (Post Graduate Education), 2008

Doctor of Laws (Ph.D.), VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Law, 2002

Master of Laws (LL.M.), VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Law, 1998

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Science of Public Administration, VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Social Sciences, 1998

Languages

Dutch, English
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.