Simon de Graaff joined Wijn & Stael as an attorney in 2022. He focuses his practice on administrative and environmental law and knows everything there is to know about the Dutch Environment and Planning Act. Simon litigates zoning and enforcement cases and advises clients on a wide variety of zoning matters that assist them in obtaining environmental permits. 

Prompt, Effective Solutions 
True to his commitments, Simon is a reliable attorney with a strong analytical mind that is able to assimilate complex, new information and produce effective solutions. Simply put - he sets the bar high for himself: “I want to deliver high-quality legal work and offer practical, useful advice within a reasonable time so clients can make informed decisions and promptly act on them when needed.” 

Publications on Zoning and Civil Penalties 
Simon wrote his master's thesis on the impact of EU Directive 123/2006 on zoning plans in the Netherlands. The thesis was later turned into a book published by Celsus. He has also published an article on the proportionality of penalties in the legal journal JBplus. Additionally, Simon’s years-long experience as a court clerk has given him a wealth of knowledge he draws on as an attorney today.

Professional Activities

  • Professor of Administrative Law, Leiden University
  • Administrative Law Association (VAR)
  • Association for construction law - Lawyers (VBR-A)

Academic Background

  • Constitutional and Administrative Law, LL.M., 2019, Leiden University
  • Law, LL.B., 2017, Utrecht University Honors Program

Bar register of legal practice areas
Simon has registered the following principal (and secondary) legal practice areas in the Netherlands Bar’s register of legal practice areas (rechtsgebiedenregister):

  • Administrative law

Based on this registration, he is required to obtain ten training credits per calendar year in each registered principal legal practice area in accordance with the standards set by the Netherlands Bar.