5 Years in Dutch Legal Market: from Concept to Corporate Clients. Part 2
We have already discussed with Oxana Brizmer, founder of Herz Lawyers, her journey into law and her early steps in the Dutch legal field. In this part of the interview, Oxana shared how she decided to start her own firm during the pandemic, the achievements of her legal boutique over five years, and her plans for the company’s development.
Starting a law firm in 2020 — at the height of the pandemic — must have been daunting. What challenges did you face?
It certainly was a turbulent time. We all remember 2020 — the pandemic, lockdowns, remote work, economic uncertainty, and businesses shutting down. But that’s exactly when the idea for my own law firm came together — and I was ready to move forward with it.
I had even chosen the name: Herz Lawyers. That name holds personal meaning on several levels. First, Herz means “heart” in German. And that’s how we work — with heart. We don’t take a cold, clinical approach to legal problems. We see our clients as people first, not just legal cases. We always look at the bigger picture, communicate clearly, explain every detail and risk, and most importantly — stay by our clients’ side every step of the way. Many have told us, “You never leave us alone with confusing legal issues.” That’s exactly what we aim for — to offer clarity, reassurance, and real support. Sometimes, our role feels just as much like a teacher or a coach as it does a lawyer.
The second meaning is personal. Herz is a reference to Herzen Street — a place that holds deep memories for me. Including it in the firm’s name was my way of making this business truly personal. Herz Lawyers isn’t just a company — it’s something I’ve built with soul and purpose.
And finally, Hz is also the abbreviation for hertz — a unit of frequency in physics, symbolizing speed. That’s another core value for us: responsiveness. We move quickly, act decisively, and get results without delay.
By early 2020, I had a clear vision and a strong motivation to bring it to life. So despite the uncertainty, I decided not to wait.
Of course, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. And it wasn’t. In that first year, I took on all kinds of cases — mostly for individuals, even though my goal from the start was to focus on businesses. But I’m truly grateful for that phase. It gave me experience and helped build a solid foundation.
By the summer of 2021, things began to shift. We started working with a group of partners who had recently launched a business in the Netherlands and were looking for legal support. Shortly after, a major company also became a client. From there, word began to spread — business owners started recommending our services, and our client base began to grow steadily.
What is Herz Lawyers today, and what have you accomplished over the past five years?
Herz Lawyers now operates as a boutique legal practice. We work closely with a small group of five to six clients on a long-term basis. This model allows us to dedicate significant time and attention to each client — offering not just legal advice, but strategic partnership.
Beyond our in-house legal team, we collaborate with a trusted network of professionals, including accountants and auditors. That means we’re able to support clients at every stage of their business — from legal structuring and compliance to financial oversight and operational advice. Our support is practical, not just theoretical. We help with everything from refining a business plan to navigating the Dutch banking system, and understanding how long official processes really take. These are things that international entrepreneurs often don’t expect — until they face them firsthand.
Most of our clients are business owners, and nearly all find us through referrals. Our reputation grows organically — satisfied clients share their experience, and that trust-based network continues to expand.
Over the past five years, we have helped establish more than 15 large companies in the Netherlands. And in litigation? We’ve won over 70% of the cases we’ve taken on — a result we’re proud of.
What are your plans for the future? What are the long-term goals of Herz Lawyers?
Right now, our top priority is expanding the team. We’re seeing a growing demand from businesses for the personalized approach we offer — something that sets us apart from many traditional law firms.
In many firms, legal work is divided like an assembly line: one lawyer handles corporate filings, another deals with HR matters, another with permits or compliance. While that may be efficient internally, it often leaves clients confused and disconnected. Each team member focuses on a narrow task, and no one sees the full picture. If a client has a question, they may not even know who to ask. Sometimes there’s a designated point of contact — but that person isn’t a lawyer and can’t provide legal answers.
At Herz Lawyers, we do things differently. Our experts work with clients, not just isolated issues. We understand the full scope of each matter and can walk clients through every step.
It’s the difference between fast fashion and tailored craftsmanship — if you want a suit made to measure, you go to a tailor, not a department store.
Another key goal is expanding our international reach. We want to continue supporting foreign investors looking to set up businesses in the Netherlands — and to do that, we’re planning to open Herz Lawyers offices in other countries as well. For me, this mission is deeply personal. I went through the entire process myself — building a business in a new country from the ground up — and later walked that path again alongside many of our clients. Those success stories continue to inspire me and our team every day.
For example, one of our proudest moments was supporting the relocation of a major research laboratory — a case you can read more about on our website.
Ultimately, our global vision is to grow and scale with our clients. We don’t see the people who come to us as just clients — we see them as potential long-term partners. When they succeed, that’s a win for us, too.