International Clients
English-speaking business mediation for international entrepreneurs in the Netherlands, in close cooperation with experienced lawyers
Your Business Mediator in the Netherlands
Doing business in the Netherlands as an international entrepreneur comes with unique legal and relational challenges. Through the close collaboration between Richard Walraven, experienced business mediator, and Advocaat voor Ondernemers, with attorneys Vincent Besters and Lisanne Kesting, you get access to both sharp legal expertise and effective conflict resolution under one roof.
Whether you are establishing a business presence, negotiating complex commercial agreements, or dealing with a shareholder dispute, we provide clear, practical guidance that helps you make informed decisions. We speak your language — both literally and figuratively.
What sets this collaboration apart is the combination of extensive litigation experience and strong mediation skills. When a conflict arises, you have access to both the legal sharpness of an attorney and the solution-oriented approach of a mediator, so you can choose the most effective path forward.
Richard Walraven, Vincent Besters & Lissane Kesting
Business Mediator & Legal Strategists
Why Work With Us?
Our Collaborative Approach
We believe a good legal partner should add value and deliver results. The combination of legal expertise and mediation skills allows us to choose the most effective strategy for your situation, whether through tough negotiation, settlement, or court proceedings. We always prioritize reaching favorable outcomes while keeping your business moving forward.
The collaboration between Richard Walraven and Advocaat voor Ondernemers did not originate on paper, but in practice. Eighteen years ago, Richard met Vincent Besters as his lawyer. What began as a client-attorney relationship grew into a truly integrated partnership, strengthened by the arrival of Lisanne Kesting, whose dedication and legal precision added a new dimension to the team. Together, legal sharpness and mediation expertise reinforce each other, so entrepreneurs can move forward faster, more confidentially, and more sustainably.
As fellow entrepreneurs, we understand that legal issues can be stressful and time-consuming. That's why we pride ourselves on being highly responsive, efficient, and focused on practical solutions that allow you to focus on running your business.
A unique partnership
Three professionals, one shared mission
Eighteen years ago, Richard Walraven met Vincent Besters as his lawyer. Vincent assisted Richard with the legal issues of his businesses: from contracts and liability to complex business disputes. It was a collaboration that worked, built on pleasure, trust, and commitment.
Richard, with his background as an entrepreneur, HR manager, and later mediator, began training the firm's lawyers. He taught them to think from the entrepreneur's perspective: what are the real interests? How does conflict dynamics work within a company and in a boardroom?
Lisanne Kesting joined the firm as a driven attorney with a sharp analytical mind and a genuine interest in the people behind the legal issue. Her ability to translate complex legal matters into clear, practical advice made her a natural fit within this integrated practice, where legal expertise and mediation go hand in hand.
"Good legal assistance and good mediation are not opposites. They reinforce each other, if you know how to deploy them."
Richard Walraven, Vincent Besters & Lisanne Kesting
From that mutual exchange grew something rarely seen: a truly integrated partnership between a law firm and a mediation practice. Not separate referrals, but a collaboration where the disciplines complement and reinforce each other, with Richard as the mediator, Vincent as the seasoned attorney, and Lisanne as the dedicated legal specialist who ensures every detail is covered.
Areas of Expertise
Comprehensive legal and mediation services for international businesses operating in the Netherlands
Get in Touch
We'd be happy to discuss your situation and explore how our combined legal and mediation expertise can help your business succeed in the Netherlands.
What clients say
See what <span className="text-amber-500 font-semibold">entrepreneurs</span> say about their experience
A mediator who stands beside you
"Richard is a mediator who doesn't sit across from you but stands beside you! His enormous knowledge is an enormous support to lean on. For 10 years now, he has taken care of the legal settlement of matters that need to be done. Helping with business issues, personnel, suppliers—he just looks at things slightly differently than I do myself. Wonderful to brainstorm with and be held up a mirror. Not to criticize, but to ultimately reach the right goal together. Honest advice to just NOT do something is also valuable. As an entrepreneur, you want to be busy with your craft and not with these kinds of files; you often have insufficient knowledge of them and it unnecessarily eats up negative energy. Throwing it over the fence to Richard immediately provides peace of mind, and that is worth a lot!"
Peter Homan / Homan B.V.
One of the best professionals I work with
"I have been an entrepreneur for 25 years and during that time have worked with many professionals for business advice, but Richard Walraven is absolutely one of the best. We have been using his services with great pleasure for 15 years now. Richard handles all our contracts and legal matters—always accurate, fast, loyal, and driven. It is really nice to work with him. What I personally find very important is his open and transparent communication. Richard thinks like an <span className="text-amber-500 font-semibold">entrepreneur</span> and therefore understands exactly what I need as an <span className="text-amber-500 font-semibold">entrepreneur</span>. Good, affordable, and top quality! In short: highly recommended!"
Marijke Tupker
Founder Tupkertaaltraining
A mediator who stands beside you
"Richard is a mediator who doesn't sit across from you but stands beside you! His enormous knowledge is an enormous support to lean on. For 10 years now, he has taken care of the legal settlement of matters that need to be done. Helping with business issues, personnel, suppliers—he just looks at things slightly differently than I do myself. Wonderful to brainstorm with and be held up a mirror. Not to criticize, but to ultimately reach the right goal together. Honest advice to just NOT do something is also valuable. As an entrepreneur, you want to be busy with your craft and not with these kinds of files; you often have insufficient knowledge of them and it unnecessarily eats up negative energy. Throwing it over the fence to Richard immediately provides peace of mind, and that is worth a lot!"
Peter Homan / Homan B.V.