The dynamism and challenges of entrepreneurship were no stranger to me while growing up in a family of horticulturalists in the Westland region. We lived through good times and bad, and topics such as continuous development, restructuring and growth were regularly discussed at the dinner table.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I took a year out to serve on the board of the SSR student association. I delved into contracts and maintained relationships with various parties, including the local council. This experience helped me to discover how everything is connected to the law. Understanding the law means being able to make a difference in the world.
Nowadays, I combine these two fascinating interests – entrepreneurship and law – with a third aspect: clear communication. My work involves resolving disputes, providing advice on complex legal issues, and negotiating contracts.
I am extremely determined and persistent in achieving optimal results for my clients. I enjoy leaving no stone unturned, particularly when uncovering ‘flaws’ in the opposing party’s case, in order to secure advantages for my clients. I develop a clear strategy and take a creative approach, enabling businesses to move forward quickly.
In my free time, I enjoy getting together with friends to play board games with either a competitive or a collaborative element. Additionally, I’m a keen follower of politics and current affairs. Both of these passions keep me analytically sharp and remind me of the importance of strategy and collaboration. In turn, this helps me achieve the best outcomes for my clients. Everything is interconnected!
Ancillary Positions
- President of the Exploitation Foundation, SSR Leiden
- Vice-president of the Appeals Committee, SSR Leiden
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Law – Entrepreneurship & Management
- Master’s degree in Law – Corporate Law
Additional languages
- English
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT rick
Great service and trusted advice
I am a UK business that needed help with a variety of legal issues in the Netherlands and was recommended RWV from our UK Lawyers. I have used Rick Kuivenhoven for a few matters in the Netherlands now and he has helped me greatly, always putting my interests first and charging in a fair and responsible manner. I would 100% recommend this firm they have provided excellent service and I could not have asked for more. Hopefully I won't need to use them soon but should the need arise, I will definitely be calling upon RWV to assist me. Thank you for all your help!
Kimberley Collée's expert tips and advice helped me understand a voluntary departure arrangement with my employer. She also conducted a legal review of the associated agreement. Additionally, with her help, I was able to have the agreement adjusted and clarified to prevent any misunderstandings. The entire process went very smoothly and to my complete satisfaction.
private
Excellent support during several divorce related court proceedings. Ciska Elsinga has successfully accompanied me through several court proceedings. She is empathetic, effective and has in-depth expertise. The cooperation and communication with her was excellent.
PRIVATE
Support in a prolonged family matter. Truly involved, hardworking and empathetic. As a client, I felt seen and appreciated. Charlotte always prepared thoroughly for hearings, bringing extensive knowledge to the table — a quality that is not only pleasant for a client but also of great value in the courtroom. A wonderful combination of a pleasant personality and a diligent professional.
Private
It is always challenging to be involved as an outsider in a situation where many facts are crucial to resolving a difficult and long-standing case as quickly as possible. However, Birgitte seems to have no trouble with that at all. She is able to structure both the factual/business aspects and the emotional components effectively, allowing her to get started quickly and take control of the process. That is very reassuring and instills confidence. Thank you for the great collaboration, Birgitte!
private
I needed a lawyer to resolve a deadlocked situation—removing my ex-partner from joint liability for our mortgage. Thanks to Charlotte Houben’s expertise, skill, thorough consultations, empathy, decisiveness, and speed, it was successfully achieved. I had a very positive experience and was helped with a difficult case where others saw no solution. If you have a complex case, I would definitely recommend her.
Private
My experience with Ciska Elsinga and RWV was excellent! I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the outstanding legal assistance you provided in my recent case. Your professionalism, dedication, and expertise truly made a difference. Thanks to your guidance, I always felt well-informed and supported, which gave me great reassurance during this challenging time. Your determination and commitment led to a positive outcome for which I am incredibly grateful.
Private
Nadine van der Slot knows our organization well, is highly knowledgeable and engaged, thinks proactively, delves into the situation, and always provides a clear and realistic overview of the possibilities and risks.
AB Zuid-Holland
No matter the issue, I always call Nadine van der Slot. She consistently provides us with solid advice, is reliable and personable, and communicates clearly. Her strategy is bold but highly effective. We have complete trust in her expertise.
Leeflang Cleaning & Transport BV
Sylvia Timmermans: We are absolutely thrilled with the result. Nadine, Kimberley and Jeroen incorporated all our wishes into the Legal Design documents. The feedback from employees has been very positive. They appreciate that the documents are concise, clear, and well-structured—making them engaging to read.
Ciska Elsinga supported me during a mediation process concerning a divorce. I had a very positive experience with her. Our collaboration was pleasant, as Ciska is legally decisive while also being attentive to the human side and relationships. With her quick and efficient service, she is a true pillar of support!
private
Mr. Dekkers assisted us very accurately with the settlement of our previous lease agreement (multi-tenant business building) and the associated service cost reconciliation. His advice and insights were spot on. He also helped us negotiate a new agreement.
Guest parent agency De Wâlden
At RWV Advocaten, Charlotte Houben provided me with excellent support in handling my divorce, offering both understanding and support. Communication was clear, and all agreements were honored.
Private
Despite the difficult time, Ciska Elsinga assisted me well in finalizing my divorce. Due to certain circumstances, my divorce was more complex, partly because of an international aspect. That’s why I was looking for a family law lawyer with sufficient experience. Ciska came across as highly competent and gave me honest advice. My conversations with her were pleasant, and she thought along with me to find the best possible solutions.
Private
Thanks to Harjo and Kelly, we opted for bankruptcy in time. It was not an easy decision, but ultimately it was the best choice for both the company and the staff. Because of them, we knew exactly what to do in this difficult situation.
Jeroen and Jasper were quick to make themselves extremely clear, and advised me not to roll out the system in the way I had envisaged as the risks were simply too great. Although I was naturally disappointed at first, I am glad to have received such open and honest advice.
Matthy, Harjo and Jasper were very pleasant to work with and responded rapidly to changes. Thanks in part to their expertise and strategic advice, we were able to resolve the dispute and achieve a very satisfactory result. As a copyright specialist, Jasper provided us with a rock-solid legal foundation. This had a major influence on the final outcome.
Olympus Nederland
Kelly was the perfect partner for reviewing our franchise agreements. Her experience and specialist knowledge of franchise law enabled her to discuss the franchise aspects of our business in both practical and legal terms. The communication between us was very pleasant, both for us and for our franchisees.
Very occasionally, you run into an opportunity you simply cannot afford to ignore. In that case, it’s a matter of not hesitating and acting quickly and decisively. Thanks to Matthy's knowledge and experience, plus the backing of English documentation and a network of foreign contacts, Matthy and his team proved to be the ideal advisers to help us complete this deal. Read more
It was a long process during which Matthy was available for consultation at any time, always striking the right tone. His experience in the legal and financial world meant that he had a full grasp of the financial implications of the transaction. At the same time, his role also involved managing a team of bankers, financial advisers and tax lawyers. Read more
