Marloes is Head of Climate Risk & Sustainability and specialises in environmental law and spatial planning law. She advises and litigates for the industry, project developers, investors and government bodies, and has extensive experience in liaising with the authorities (environmental permission authorities, the Netherlands Labour Authority, and the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate).

Climate adaption

Marloes is leading the public law team in due diligence and contract negotiations in M&A and transactions. She regularly publishes on these topics, speaks at national and international conferences, and teaches lawyers and at universities. Marloes e.g. spoke on legal and policy instruments regarding water-related climate change adaptation in the Netherlands for the American Bar Association and at Columbia Law School, New York City. In 2019 she co-authored the first overview article on climate adaptation in urban planning legislation and regulations in the Netherlands and further she has several leading publications to her name on subjects such as the new Dutch Environment and Planning Act (Omgevingswet). She is recommended in Who’s Who Legal as an expert in the categories Environment and Climate Change. In 2013 she worked at the New York City office.

In addition, Marloes is Chair of the Environmental Law Practice Group of Lex Mundi, a worldwide network of law firms which Houthoff is also a member of. Marloes is a board member of the Dutch Construction Lawyers Association, and a board member of the Dutch National Opera & Ballet Fund. She was a member of the Reflection board for sample cards on the New Environment and Planning Act of the Dutch Municipalities Association.

  • Advised VARO Energy BV on its acquisition of 80% of the shares in Bio Energy Coevorden BV, one of the largest biogas manufacturers in Europe.
  • Advised Stellantis N.V. on the legal merger between Peugeot Nederland N.V., CitroĂ«n Nederland B.V. and Opel Nederland B.V.
  • Advised Stadion Feijenoord and – on its co-tail – the City of Rotterdam on updating the stadium’s complex environmental permit and closing the Netherlands’ first trade in “environmental-noise space”.
  • LL.M. International and European Law (Radboud University Nijmegen)
  • Erasmus exchange (University of Bern, Switzerland)
  • Admitted to the Bar in the Netherlands in 2004

Expertises

Public Law
The growth in Dutch and European regulation has an effect on all sectors. The relationship between government bodies and market parties is governed by regulation in areas such as financial and other supervision, the environment, spatial planning, land, procurement, health and safety, and tax.
Environment & Planning
In a place as densely populated as the Netherlands, it is common to see small areas of land with many different functions and uses. Environmental law regulates the complex distribution of available space. This area of law is constantly changing due to new national and European laws and regulations, new building techniques and societal developments.
Environment & Planning Act
The Environment Act covers the space in which people live, work and relax. This new law merges old laws and contains rules for what can be seen, heard and smelled outside.
ESG & Sustainability
Behind the daily headlines on sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues hide complex challenges such as permitting, subsidies, funding and reporting obligations. These matters affect the expectations and demands of all corporate stakeholders.
Health, Safety & Environment
Houthoff’s HSE Team advises and litigates on the full spectrum of HSE matters from civil, administrative and criminal law perspectives and offers 24/7 support and scalable expertise during incidents.
Manufacturing
Houthoff’s Manufacturing Team advises manufacturers, chemical companies and industrials on M&A, environmental due diligence, cartel claims, outsourcing and international production opportunities in emerging economies.
Public Law
The growth in Dutch and European regulation has an effect on all sectors. The relationship between government bodies and market parties is governed by regulation in areas such as financial and other supervision, the environment, spatial planning, land, procurement, health and safety, and tax.
Environment & Planning
In a place as densely populated as the Netherlands, it is common to see small areas of land with many different functions and uses. Environmental law regulates the complex distribution of available space. This area of law is constantly changing due to new national and European laws and regulations, new building techniques and societal developments.
Environment & Planning Act
The Environment Act covers the space in which people live, work and relax. This new law merges old laws and contains rules for what can be seen, heard and smelled outside.
ESG & Sustainability
Behind the daily headlines on sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues hide complex challenges such as permitting, subsidies, funding and reporting obligations. These matters affect the expectations and demands of all corporate stakeholders.
Health, Safety & Environment
Houthoff’s HSE Team advises and litigates on the full spectrum of HSE matters from civil, administrative and criminal law perspectives and offers 24/7 support and scalable expertise during incidents.
Manufacturing
Houthoff’s Manufacturing Team advises manufacturers, chemical companies and industrials on M&A, environmental due diligence, cartel claims, outsourcing and international production opportunities in emerging economies.

Ranked in Band 2

Chambers Europe

Public Law: Planning & Environment (2025 Edition)

"Marloes Brans has good in-depth knowledge and is the first lawyer we think of for this kind of work."

Chambers Europe

Public Law: Planning & Environment (2025 Edition)

Leading Partner

Legal 500

Environment and Planning (2025 Edition)

"Marloes Brans is a very dedicated partner, present but humble, and a sharp advisor."

Legal 500

Environment and Planning (2025 Edition)
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Upcoming
event

Houthoff Corporate Ladies Event: Succes is a human endeavour Event

Houthoff Corporate Ladies Event: Succes is a human endeavour

29 September 2025
Amsterdam

Publications

13 March 2025
13 March 2025
Factsheet Omnibus proposal
28 December 2024
28 December 2024
Consultation response Bill on international corporate responsibility. Houthoff. (Dutch)
15 November 2024
15 November 2024
The Hague Court of Appeal denies all claims in climate case against Shell
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