Simon de Graaff joined Wijn & Stael as an attorney in 2022. He focuses his practice on administrative, environmental and planning law and has extensive knowledge of the Dutch Environment and Planning Act. Simon litigates zoning and enforcement matters, assists clients in interpreting, challenging and drafting zoning regulations, and guides them through the process of obtaining environmental permits. In addition to his practice, he teaches administrative and environmental law at Leiden University.

Prompt, Effective Solutions 
True to his commitments, Simon is a reliable attorney with a strong analytical mind who quickly masters complex new subject matter and translates it into effective, tailored solutions. He sets the bar high for himself: “I want to deliver high-quality legal work and provide clients with practical, usable advice within a reasonable time, so they can make well-founded decisions and move forward quickly when needed.”

Publications on Zoning and Civil Penalties 
Simon has published on the impact of EU Directive 123/2006 (the Services Directive) on Dutch spatial planning, the proportionality of administrative penalties, and the compatibility of zoning plans and environmental permits with the Services Directive. Before becoming an attorney, he worked for several years as a court clerk, experience that now enriches his practice at Wijn & Stael.

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

Cases

• Litigated a number of high-profile cases involving alleged soil contamination.
• Advised one of the Netherlands’ security regions (a government body responsible for critical infrastructure and security issues) on maintaining their power infrastructure while complying with regulations protecting endangered and threatened animal species. 
• Represented and advised various religious institutions in proceedings related to environmental laws that adversely impacted their religious activities.
• Other clients include major municipalities across the Netherlands, insurance companies, and various real estate developers.

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.