NautaDutilh reaffirms its long-standing commitment to clients in the United States with the appointment of Boudewijn Smit as managing partner of its New York office and lead Dutch Finance Transactions counsel in the US. Boudewijn succeeds Elizabeth van Schilfgaarde, who has led the New York office for many years and has played an important role in strengthening NautaDutilh's presence in the US market. Under her leadership, the firm further expanded its cross-border practice and deepened relationships with US clients, private equity sponsors, financial institutions and leading law firms.
The appointment reflects the continued growth of NautaDutilh's US practice and the firm's ability to support clients through a deep bench of Dutch, Luxembourg and Belgian legal expertise across its international platform. From New York, the firm advises leading US corporates, private equity sponsors, financial institutions and direct lenders on complex cross-border finance, corporate and capital markets transactions throughout Europe. Boudewijn brings extensive experience advising US banks, direct lenders and corporate borrowers and works alongside leading US law firms on high-value, US-originated finance transactions. His practice covers acquisition finance, asset-based lending, technology finance, structured and hybrid financings, as well as restructurings, insolvencies and distressed situations.
The transition comes at a time of continued investment in NautaDutilh's US offering, including the recent appointment of Jochem Polderman as Dutch Capital Markets counsel in New York. Together with the firm's broader team of finance, corporate and capital markets specialists across Europe, the New York office provides clients with direct access to leading Benelux legal expertise.
Elizabeth combines her legal practice with her role as Executive Coach, supporting senior professionals throughout the firm. As of 1 January 2027, she will step back as managing partner of the New York office. She will continue to support the firm as Executive Coach and Senior Advisor.
