Max van Leyenhorst
2311 GK Leiden
2301 RA Leiden
Arbitrator & Attorney-at-law
Max van Leyenhorst (1975) specializes in arbitration. He has extensive experience as an arbitrator, inter alia under the arbitration rules of ICC, NAI, UNUM, DIS and UNCITRAL. Max also acts as an attorney-at-law in arbitration-related proceedings (setting aside, enforcement) and/or commercial disputes involving multiple jurisdictions. The disputes typically relate to international investments, contracts, shareholder relations, M&A or corporate law. Max has a broad legal interest (inter alia state immunity, independence and challenge of arbitrators, competition law, liability law).
Specialisations
Max has special knowledge of and experience with:
- Litigation regarding the conclusion, performance and termination of commercial contracts
- Civil liability and damages
- Shareholder disputes, joint venture disputes and post M&A claims
- Investment arbitration (BITs, MITs, ICSID)
- State immunity
- The enforcement of arbitral awards
- Attachment and execution law
- Litigation to set aside arbitral awards
Clients appreciate Max' expertise and his meticulous knowledge of the case, combined with a dynamic work ethic.
Work experience
Max van Leyenhorst worked at NautaDutilh from 1999 to 2009. From 2007 to 2020, he lectured on Arbitration Law, International Dispute Resolution and on International Commercial Arbitration & Litigation at Leiden University. Max joined Legaltree in 2009.
Below are some of the cases in which Max has recently been involved:
- UNUM arbitration proceedings on behalf of an African State / government regarding contractual claims, amount in dispute >EUR 90 million
- Acting for Dutch investors against an Eastern European State in BIT arbitration (Permanent Court of Arbitration)
- Acting for Liechtenstein investor in high-profile enforcement proceedings in the Netherlands, amount at stake >USD 400 million
- Acting for a Southeast Asian State in enforcement proceedings of an ICSID award
- Acting for various clients in several enforcement proceedings in cases involving states in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa
- Advising UK third party funder on investment opportunity regarding claim under Dutch law
- Acting for foreign investor in corporate dispute about management and ownership of Dutch investment
- Acting for a group of Southeast Asian investors in contract dispute regarding international investments
Memberships & ancillary positions
- Member of the Editorial Board – Dutch Journal Arbitration, 2018-present
- Co-founder and board member – Dutch Arbitration Association, 2013-2017
- Registered NMI mediator, 2009-2011
- Lecturer Arbitration law – Law Firm School, 2008-2015
- Editorial secretary – Dutch Journal on Arbitration, 2006-2011
- Co-founder and board member – NAI Young Orange, 2004-2010
Education
- University of Utrecht – Dutch civil law
- Leiden University – tax law (bachelor)
- Wayne State University (USA) – corporate law and philosophy of law
Testimonials
'Wouter de Clerck and Max van Leijenhorst are very knowledgeable of international arbitration'
Legal500 International arbitration
More from Max Van Leyenhorst
Dispute resolution