Our firm

VBK partner in progress

VBK is a full-service law and notary firm. For over 85 years, we have helped organisations move forward with legal advice that works in practice. With more than 100 legal professionals, we act for large and mid-sized national and international companies, institutions and public bodies.

About VBK

A renowned firm, rooted in Utrecht

What started as a general practice has developed into a specialised full-service firm. One thing has never changed: our focus on quality.

Recognised by the market

Our approach is recognised. Business decision-makers voted us the best legal service provider in the Netherlands in 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025 (MT1000). In addition, various teams and individual specialists have been ranked in Chambers and Legal500.

We work for organisations in sectors such as Tech, Finance, Retail, Healthcare, Mobility, Real Estate, Industry, Energy, Education and Government.

Connected to the world

We are among the top 20 law firms in the Netherlands and part of a strong international network of independent firms. As a member of SCG Legal, we work closely with more than 120 partner firms in over 60 countries.

We connect legal with business

You can expect more from us than legal expertise alone. We connect legal with your business. That starts with understanding what matters to you. What is your challenge? Where do you want to go? From there, we translate legal complexity into clear, practical solutions. Transparent, pragmatic and focused on results.

Innovation with AI & legal tech

Innovation is not a goal in itself. It helps us serve you better. We continuously invest in AI and our IT infrastructure. These technologies enhance our services and strengthen our role – from legal advisers to strategic partners who combine expertise with technology. This allows us to deliver faster, smarter and more effective solutions.

We work in a multidisciplinary way

Today’s challenges are rarely one-dimensional. That is why we bring together the right expertise in one team.

This keeps matters clear, risks manageable and creates room to move forward. For us, the law is not a constraint, but a tool to help you progress.

Our history

Our origin: the story behind VBK

It all began on 4 September 1940, when Mr H.C.A. van Benthem was sworn in as a solicitor and barrister. Exactly six years later, in September 1946, he joined forces with Mr F.B. Keulen. Together, they moved into a small office on Oudegracht in Utrecht to put their conviction into practice: good legal advice is not about thick files, but about helping people move forward. That down-to-earth and entrepreneurial mindset proved to be a success.

In the years that followed, Van Benthem & Keulen grew alongside society. From the post-war reconstruction to the rapid economic growth of the 1960s and 1970s, we continually found our place in a changing world. Entrepreneurs, institutions and government bodies knew where to find us – not only for our legal expertise, but above all for our commitment.

Anyone who walked through our doors over the decades felt it immediately: here are people who genuinely want to understand you. That has always remained our hallmark. We look beyond the file and immerse ourselves in your world, because that is where the real questions lie and where the best answers are found.

In 2026, we chose to shorten our name to VBK. Short, powerful and more contemporary. The abbreviation honours our founders and reflects even more clearly what we stand for today: a firm that not only preserves tradition, but uses it as a springboard for progress.

Day-to-day management