Merel is an expert in liability and insurance law. She has a particular focus on policy disputes, professional and product liability and technical damages. She often works on complex cases in international settings with high stakes involved. Clients that she works for include corporate insureds, insurance intermediaries, (re)insurers and (other) professional organisations. Merel is active in various industries, including insurance, financial services, construction and manufacturing. Merel has substantial experience in (cross-border) litigation disputes relating to commercial and insurance law. Merel regularly teaches on legal subjects relating to her practice.Work highlights include representing:

An industrial client in crisis management and recovery of damages after the discovery of asbestos;
One of the largest global insurance intermediaries in various litigations regarding all kind of insurances and duty of care;
Corporate clients and financial institutions in various disputes on the coverage under insurance policies (e.g. PI, D&O, E&O, W&I)

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Memberships

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Dutch Bar Association
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International Bar Association
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Association for Insurance Sciences
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Qualifications

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Post-doc Module regulation and supervision (insurance), University of Amsterdam (2017-2018)
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Post-doc Magna Charta specialist course insurance law, Academy for Law Practice (2014 - 2015)
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Master in civil law, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 2007 - 2008 (with honours),
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Faculty of law, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 2004 - 2007 (with honours)

What others say

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"Merel van Asch and Rutger Noordermeer work together on files. They are both very knowledgeable and know the files from A to Z. In addition, they are client relationship-oriented so you always feel valued as a customer."
Legal 500 - EMEA (2025)
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"Merel van Asch and Rutger Noordermeer are both sharp lawyers. They really know the files they work on, and they are fun to work with. They both have great knowledge of insurance law and general liability law. Both are good litigators."
Legal 500 - EMEA (2025)
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"Merel has a way of presenting our cases in a pleasant but very ingenious way".
Legal 500 - EMEA (2025)
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"Rutger and Merel are available when needed and provide to-the-point advice. They are proactive and get the job done by working with us very closely."
Legal 500 - EMEA (2025)
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"Rutger Noordermeer and Merel van Asch are both very knowledgeable and easy to access individuals. They have in-depth knowledge and make sure that where one is out of the office, the other can take over seamlessly. Both are easy-going and clear in their presentations and explanations."
Legal 500 - EMEA (2025)
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"Merel van Asch is pleasant to work with. She is good at her work and knows our company well. She knows the files inside and out and has the ability to articulate a defence well. "
Chambers & Partners - Europe (2024)
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"She has strong knowledge, quick responses and is friendly in contact."
Chambers & Partners - Europe (2024)
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"Merel van Asch is intelligent, hands on and does a good job."
Legal 500 - EMEA (2024)
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"Merel van Asch is intelligent, hands-on and does a good job."
Legal 500 - EMEA (2024)
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"Merel van Asch and Rens Markus are both excellent lawyers and provide a great service."
Legal 500 - EMEA (2024)
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Merel van Asch named "Key lawyer" in Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation
Legal 500 - EMEA (2024)
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Merel van Asch named "Rising star" in Insurance
Legal 500 - EMEA (2024)
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Merel van Asch named "Practice head" in Insurance
Legal 500 - EMEA (2024)
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"Merel has really in-depth knowledge of her files. This is really good, particularly if you are proceeding in court. She can pull out the file and refer to exhibits, so you can see that something doesn't fly."
Chambers & Partners - Europe (2023)
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"Merel provides us with a high level of service and is very pleasant to work with. Her analyses are in depth and the advice is practical."
Chambers & Partners - Europe (2023)
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Merel van Asch named "Key lawyer" in Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation
Legal 500 - EMEA (2023)
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‘Merel van Asch is very competent and hands on.’
Legal 500 - EMEA (2023)
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‘Rens Markus and Merel van Asch: quick responses, clear language, friendly.’
Legal 500 - EMEA (2023)
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Merel van Asch named "Rising star" in Insurance
Legal 500 - EMEA (2023)
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Merel van Asch named "Practice head" in Insurance
Legal 500 - EMEA (2023)
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"Extremely responsive, friendly and committed to the projects we have done together."
Chambers & Partners - Europe (2022)
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Merel van Asch named "Rising stars" in Insurance
Legal 500 - EMEA (2022)
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‘Working with several different colleagues, but special mention for Merel van Asch. Outstanding professional and always provides high quality work. She also makes sure that others provide the same quality in their services.’
Legal 500 - EMEA (2022)
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‘Merel van Asch is skilled and smart.’
Legal 500 - EMEA (2022)
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Merel van Asch is highly rated for handling professional indemnity, product liability and damage claims. She also advises on D&O liability and W&I insurance policies. She receives plaudits from interviewees, with one noting: "She is very responsive and has good foresight. You feel in good hands with her."
Chambers & Partners - Europe (2021)
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‘Merel van Asch is intelligent, hard working and does a very good job’.
Legal 500 - EMEA (2021)
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Merel van Asch is "very knowledgeable in insurance and liability," according to interviewees, who add: "She has in-depth knowledge about the issues and development of the law and knows her files inside out." She is also acknowledged for her litigation and regulatory expertise and often helps advise on large coverage claims.
Chambers & Partners - Europe (2020)
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Merel van Asch has excellent insurance knowledge and always in-depth file knowledge.
Legal 500 - EMEA (2020)
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"Senior associate Merel van Asch combines litigation and insurance expertise and is highlighted for providing 'a brilliant analysis of a case'."
Legal 500 - EMEA (2019)
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"A client reports that she 'works cases very thoroughly and clearly' and provides a 'collaborative' approach."
Chambers & Partners - Europe (2019)
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Merel van Asch

Counsel - Attorney at Law

merel.van.asch@loyensloeff.com

Rotterdam

Dutch, English

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<p>Merel van Asch, attorney at law, is a member of the Litigation & Risk Management Practice Group in our Rotterdam office. Merel is head for the Insurance and Liability team and leads the insurance(litigation)practice. </p>

Merel is an expert in liability and insurance law. She has a particular focus on policy disputes, professional and product liability and technical damages. She often works on complex cases in international settings with high stakes involved. Clients that she works for include corporate insureds, insurance intermediaries, (re)insurers and (other) professional organisations. Merel is active in various industries, including insurance, financial services, construction and manufacturing. Merel has substantial experience in (cross-border) litigation disputes relating to commercial and insurance law. Merel regularly teaches on legal subjects relating to her practice.Work highlights include representing:

An industrial client in crisis management and recovery of damages after the discovery of asbestos;
One of the largest global insurance intermediaries in various litigations regarding all kind of insurances and duty of care;
Corporate clients and financial institutions in various disputes on the coverage under insurance policies (e.g. PI, D&O, E&O, W&I)