History
Wijn & Stael has been in existence for more than sixty years. In 1948 our firm was founded by J.P. Wijn. In 1956, J.J. Stael joined him. During the 1950s its offices moved to Maliesingel 22. As well as general legal matters, lawyers at Wijn & Stael dealt with many land cases for private and government clients. In addition to Messrs Wijn and Stael’s practice in property law and government, at the beginning of the 1970s the firm began to focus increasingly on business law in general.
Wijn & Stael is active in a wide range of practice areas in virtually all sectors. These days, apart from government bodies and private individuals, the business sector, banks and non-profit institutions also call on its services. As a result the firm has grown from being a regional player to one with activities throughout the Netherlands and abroad. Our firm now has around 35 lawyers and 30 support staff, working from offices in 4 buildings on Maliesingel.
Involved in law
Wijn & Stael firmly believes that lawyers are also responsible for the quality of the administration of justice. Reflecting that philosophy, it has already given dozens of trainee judicial officers the opportunity to follow an internship with the firm. The lawyers at Wijn & Stael are also active in the wider community by fulfilling additional jobs and being involved in other unpaid activities, such as posts in the Netherlands Bar Association, the Utrecht Bar Association and the Young Bar. For example, during the past few years lawyers of Wijn & Stael have taken on the post of dean and chairman of the Young Bar, representative on the Board of Representatives, member of the Supervisory Council and member of the Disciplinary Appeals Tribunal.
Involved in the city of Utrecht
As a Utrecht-based law firm with a long history, Wijn & Stael feels closely involved with the city. To celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1998 it donated 225,000 crocus bulbs to the city of Utrecht to be planted at Maliebaan, together with two replicas of the gateposts which stood at that time at the entrance from Maliesingel to Maliebaan. To mark its 55th anniversary Wijn & Stael presented Utrecht University with a relief that is now on display at the Molengraaff Institute in recognition of Professor Molengraaff, the founding father of the Insolvency Act. In 2008 Wijn & Stael celebrated its 60th anniversary in the Railway Museum, where each practice area conducted a workshop for clients and business contacts. Hans Liberg gave a scintillating performance to round off the event. To commemorate the Peace of Utrecht, the city received a plaque which is now mounted on the façade of Utrecht City Hall.
Involved in society
We give our time to noncommercial institutions within and outside the Netherlands. We sponsor public causes and take on administrative and management roles for a wide variety of public organizations such as Stichting Isai Ma(i)yam (the Isai Ma(i)yam Foundation), in Tamil Nadu. India.
