Mark KortenoeverSenior Partner
Mark Kortenoever graduated from Leiden University in 1987 with a master’s degree in Dutch law. He was admitted to the Bar of Rotterdam (the Netherlands) in 1987 and to the Sint Maarten Bar in 1988. Mr. Kortenoever focuses on the litigation practice. He advises on corporate matters with the emphasis on structured finance and project finance.
Mr. Kortenoever is ranked as the Project Finance law expert in Sint Maarten by Global Law Experts. He is the Project Finance member in the Dutch Caribbean of International Referral.
Apart from the law practice, Mr. Kortenoever currently serves on the board of directors of the Nagico group of companies. He is a member on the Council for Disciplinary Matters. He was a member of the General Audit Chamber of Sint Maarten for 7 years; this Council of State is charged with the examination of the financial and material management of the Government.
Email MarkJeroen VeenAttorney at Law
Jeroen Veen originates from the Netherlands and is one of the founding members of Lexwell. He studied law at Leiden University and graduated with a master’s degree in 1987. He was admitted to the bar in 1988. Subsequently he worked as an attorney in the Netherlands, Curaçao and since 1992 on Sint Maarten. Mr. Veen graduated from the University of Cumbria (UK) with a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) in 2017.
With three-plus decades of experience, Mr. Veen is an expert in all types of litigation. Especially complex and sensitive cross border litigation that ranges from corporate law, contract law and fraud to real estate and (cross border) aspects of family law
Apart from the law practice, Mr. Veen was a member of the Appellate Council for disciplinary matters for over 15 years and chairman of the board of SZV, the national health insurance and pension administrator.
Email JeroenFehmi KutluerAttorney at Law
Fehmi Kutluer graduated from Utrecht University in 2009 with a master’s degree in European Law. Before coming to Sint Maarten, Mr. Kutluer gained experience at several law firms in the Netherlands, focusing on intellectual property law. He joined Lexwell in October 2011 and was admitted to the Bar of Sint Maarten the same year. He started working in the public sector in 2016, first at the Bureau for Intellectual Property and later at the Ministry of Justice. Mr. Kutluer returned to Lexwell in July 2019.
Mr. Kutluer practices as an all-round litigation attorney and assists prospective Sint Maarteners with their immigration papers. He also handles most of the firm’s intellectual property cases, including trademark registrations. He is the treasurer of the Foundation for Professional Education for attorneys in Sint Maarten.
Email FehmiCaroline van HeesAttorney at Law
Caroline van Hees obtained a bachelor’s in liberal arts with honors from University College in Utrecht. After her bachelor, she graduated from Maastricht University with a master’s degree in European Law. She discovered her passion for law and decided to study Dutch law at Radboud University in Nijmegen. After her graduation, she worked as an attorney-at-law for a boutique firm in the Netherlands. After 2,5 years at this firm, Ms. van Hees moved to Sint Maarten where she practiced law at the law firm of Gibson & Associates for almost 6 years. Ms. van Hees was admitted to the Bar of Utrecht in 2013 and to the Bar of Sint Maarten in 2015.
Ms. van Hees has extensive experience in the field of litigation. In her practice she also focuses on commercial contracts, liability and insurance law as well as administrative law.
Apart from the law practice, Ms. van Hees is the Dean of the Bar Association of Sint Maarten and a member of the Foundation for Professional Education for attorneys in Sint Maarten. Before this, she spent several years as a board member of the Bar Association.
Email CarolineFlorentine PaanakkerAttorney at Law
Florentine Paanakker graduated from Utrecht University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Dutch law. She then studied sociology at the University of Maryland in the United States of America . After she returned to the Netherlands, she obtained her master’s degree in Dutch law in July 2018. Ms. Paanakker was admitted to the Dutch Bar in January 2019 and worked as an attorney at a large law firm in Amsterdam. She worked in the Finance practice while attending the additional educational program of the Law Firm School. Ms. Paanakker joined Lexwell in 2022 and was admitted to the Bar of Sint Maarten the same year. She focuses on corporate law, including corporate governance and corporate litigation.
Email Florentine