Our people

mr. Maurice Sijben

Maurice Sijben
Lawyer/partner
sijben@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

I see my work as a game of chess, a challenge that requires creative solutions.

Expertise: employment law and mediation

Maurice Sijben has been working as a lawyer (in the district of Limburg) for over 34 years. He is trained as an employment law specialist. In addition, Maurice Sijben is a member of the Dutch Association of Mediation Lawyers (NVVMA).

In the field of labor law, his areas of expertise include: dismissal, labor disputes, reorganizations and takeovers, non-competition clauses, employer liability and civil service law. He also gives publications and presentations and is advisor, director and commissioner for several companies, associations and foundations in South Limburg.

In mediation, Maurice Sijben is mainly called upon to help with labor disputes, but also with family law issues and various other problems.

Mr. Maurice Sijben has registered the following specializations in the register of areas of law of the Dutch Bar Association:

- Labor law
- Insolvency law
This registration obliges to obtain ten training points each calendar year in each registered area of law, according to the standards of the Dutch Bar Association.
     

mw. mr. Gabi Jongen

Gabi Jongen
Lawyer
jongen@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

It's not all about the marbles here at the office.

Expertise: insolvency law, employment law, statutory debt restructuring and complex issues relating to personal and family law.

Gabi Jongen studied private law and commercial and corporate law. She specializes in insolvency law, legal debt restructuring and the law of persons and family law.

Gabi is a member of the Receivers Association Sector Maastricht.

Mr. Gabi Jongen has registered the following specializations in the register of areas of law of the Dutch Bar Association:
- Law of persons and family law
- Insolvency Law
This registration requires her to obtain ten training points in each registered area of law each calendar year according to the standards of the Dutch Bar Association.

mr. Milan Gaber

Milan Gaber
Lawyer
gaber@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Better safe than sorry.

Expertise: employment law, intellectual property, contract law, and mediation

Milan Gaber specializes in employment law. He completed the Grotius specialization program in employment law (postgraduate course). Milan Gaber has experience as both a lawyer and a corporate lawyer. As a corporate lawyer in the music and entertainment industry, he has further developed his expertise in intellectual property law and (international) contract law. The combination of lawyer and corporate lawyer means that Milan Gaber has special expertise at the intersection of HRM-related issues and employment law.

Milan is a member of the Dutch Copyright Association.

Milan Gaber is a qualified MfN-registered mediator. Milan Gaber's mediation services are mainly sought in employment disputes, but also in corporate law issues and various other matters.

Mr. Milan Gaber has registered the following specializations in the Dutch Bar Association's register of legal areas:

– Employment law
– Intellectual property law

This registration requires him to obtain ten training credits in each registered area of law each calendar year in accordance with the standards of the Dutch Bar Association.

mr. Stijn Hamers

Stijn Hamers
Lawyer
hamers@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

At the heart of difficulties lie opportunities.

Expertise: employment law

Stijn Hamers completed a Master’s Degree in Law and Labour at the University of Maastricht, specialising in labour and health law.  Stijn has been working at Sijben & Partners Advocaten since 2019.

At Sijben & Partners Advocaten, Stijn focuses on various legal areas, including employment law. In addition, Stijn is particularly interested in sports law.

Stijn contributed to the Journal of Sport & Law, writing an article about the doctor’s duty of confidentiality in professional football.

Publications

Contribution by Stijn Hamers in the Journal for Sport & Law

mw. mr. Beau Ceryse van Hees

Beau Ceryse van Hees
Lawyer
vanhees@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Taking no risks is the biggest risk

Expertise: contract and liability law, real estate law and personal and family law 

Beau van Hees studied at Maastricht University the master Dutch Law, specializations criminal law and private law. She has been working in the practice of law since 2017.

As of February 1, 2021, Beau has made the switch to Sijben & Partners Lawyers and is primarily engaged in contract law and real estate law but will also focus on issues related to personal injury and personal and family law.

Because of her thoroughness and drive, Beau is able to represent the best interests of her clients. She has an eye for every detail and every interest which enables her to bring every legal dispute to a pragmatic conclusion.

mw. mr. Firi Boukhris

Firi Boukhris
Lawyer
boukhris@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.

Expertise: insolvency law, real estate law, contract law and BKR cases

Firi joined Sijben & Partners Lawyers in 2021. She took the master's degree in commercial and corporate law at Maastricht University. She is also trained as a special trustee in juvenile cases.

Within our firm, Firi focuses on insolvency law, real estate law, contract law and BKR cases. She assists both individuals and entrepreneurs.

As an attorney, Firi is known for her direct communication, transparency and pragmatic approach. She litigates when necessary, but also seeks efficient solutions that are truly in her clients' best interests. Her clients' interests always come first.

mr. Naud Peters

Naud Peters
Attorney
peters@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Those who give up never win.

Expertise: corporate law, insolvency law, and real estate law

At Sijben & Partners, Naud Peters focuses primarily on corporate, insolvency, and real estate law. He advises and litigates on behalf of entrepreneurs, shareholders, and directors on contractual issues, cooperation and disputes within the company, restructuring, and insolvency proceedings. In real estate law, he focuses on the purchase and sale of real estate, securities, and rental and usage disputes.

Naud is known for his tenacity and down-to-earth approach. He never gives up, sinks his teeth into a case and persists until it has been thoroughly investigated. At the same time, he is empathetic and committed; Naud listens carefully to his clients, is aware of the underlying interests and tensions that a legal conflict can entail, and translates this into a clear, practical strategy.

Striving for the best result for his clients is a matter of course for Naud. Depending on the interests and needs of his clients, this may involve reaching an amicable settlement or conducting legal proceedings. Naud also advises his clients in the preliminary stages. His goal is to offer legally sound and future-proof solutions.

mw. mr. Edith Sars

Edith Sars 
Legal Expert 
sars@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Looking at what is possible.

Edith completed the Master's degree in Law, profile Family and Juvenile Law, at Tilburg University. During her studies, Edith gained experience at other law firms. With a focus on solutions and a listening ear, she dedicates herself to her clients. 

mw. mr. Danée Laumen

Danée Laumen
Lawyer
laumen@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

The best way out of problems is to go right through them.

Expertise: labor law, contract law

Danée Laumen obtained a master's degree in Dutch Law with a specialization in private law and a master's degree in Labor and Law with a specialization in Labor and Health Law from Maastricht University. She has been working in legal practice since 2023.

In September 2025, Danée made the switch to Sijben & Partners Advocaten, where she will further expand her practical knowledge. Clear communication and honesty are of great importance to her when handling a case. She strives not only to find the best legal solution, but also the solution that best suits her client's interests.

mr. Hans Verstappen

Hans Verstappen 
Bankruptcy officer
verstappen@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

With an eye for people and for figures

Hans graduated as a tax lawyer from Maastricht University in 1993. After his studies he worked as a tax consultant at a specialized office in The Hague. He now has more than 25 years of experience as an independent entrepreneur in a commercial environment.

Besides his entrepreneurship, Hans is active as a mediator, guiding people in conflict situations and acting as an advocate in negotiation processes.

He is registered with the Mediators Federation Netherlands (MfN) and with the National Association of Confidential Advisors (LVV).

With his financial-legal background and experience as an entrepreneur, Hans supports the bankruptcy practice with a practical and solution-oriented approach.

mw. mr. Demi Orbon

Demi Orbon
Jurist 
orbon@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

The best solution is both legally sound and practically feasible.

Expertise: employment law

In 2022, Demi graduated from Maastricht University, where she earned a master’s degree in Labor and Health. Since then, she has been working as a lawyer specializing in employment law. With a strong interest in human resources, she advises clients on a wide range of employment law matters.

mw. mr. Iona Lenssen

Iona Lenssen
Lawyer
lenssen@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Strong in strategy. Human in approach.

Iona obtained her master's degree in Dutch Law, specializing in private law, from Maastricht University in August 2025. She joined Sijben & Partners in November 2025, where she puts her knowledge of law into practice.

Prescilla Reutelingsperger

Prescilla Reutelingsperger
Lawyer
reutelingsperger@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Thinking ahead is half the battle..

mw. mr. Femke Nix

Femke Nix
Lawyer
nix@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

The law provides the framework; the situation determines the solution. 

Expertise: private law

In 2026, Femke graduated from Maastricht University, where she earned a master’s degree in Dutch law with a specialization in private law. At the firm, she focuses on general legal practice.

José Grooten

José Grooten
Office manager
grooten@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

You build bridges together! 

José Grooten works at Sijben & Partners Advocaten in the position of office manager. Her duties include the processing of the financial administration, secretarial support of the partnership, facility management and bankruptcy support.

José has worked in the legal profession since 1986 and was one of the founders of the current Sijben & Partners Advocaten. Over the years she has gained the necessary experience in the broadest sense of the word. The Dutch language is her hobbyhorse. 

Celine Schoenmakers

Celine Schoenmakers
Management assistant
schoenmakers@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

I don't see problems, but challenges.

Celine Schoenmakers joined the company in 2013 as a secretary. In 2020, Celine advanced to the position of management assistant and manages the secretariat. Celine works in the employment law section. In addition to her secretarial duties, she is involved in public relations activities, social media and takes care of our Sijben & Partners Academy.

Celine has completed the training executive secretary/management assistant.

Edith Voragen

Edith Voragen
Secretary
voragen@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Getting together is just the start,

staying together is progress,

collaborating is success.

Edith Voragen has been working as a legal secretary at Sijben & Partners Lawyers since 2016. She provides secretarial support to the corporate law section. Before joining Sijben & Partners Advocaten, Edith gained over 8 years of experience as a legal secretary at three other law firms.

Yvonne Claessen

Yvonne Claessen
Secretary
claessen@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Love what you do and do what you love!  

Since early 2020, Yvonne Claessen has joined our team at Sijben & Partners. She works in the Labor Law section. Before that, she worked for almost twenty years at three law firms in the Maastricht region. She highly values enthusiasm, perseverance, collegiality and client focus.

Vivian Ploum

Vivian Ploum
Secretary
ploum@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Dream it, Believe it, Achieve it

Since early 2021, Vivian has been working at Sijben and Partners for the employment law section. She also supports the trustees in bankruptcies. Vivian has over 20 years of experience in the legal profession, in short an all-round legal secretary. 

Kelsey van Prehn

Kesley van Prehn 
Junior-Secretary
vanprehn@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Believe you can and you're halfway there

Kelsey van Prehn passed her Office Assistant course in 2022. Kelsey has been working in another sector after getting her degree, but from now on she will support us as a junior secretary. 

Sanne Rothkrantz

Sanne Rothkrantz 
Secretary
rothkrantz@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Every beginning is an opportunity to grow  

Sanne Rothkrantz graduated in 2021 as a management assistant/ executive secretary. Shortly thereafter, she completed an internship with our office.

Sanne worked in another sector after graduation and is now back at our office. As of February 17, 2025, Sanne will start as a secretary.

Sharon Vaessen

Sharon Vaessen
Secretary
vaessen@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Enjoying your work leads to excellence in your work

Sharon has been working as a legal secretary at Sijben & Partners Advocaten since 2026. She began her career in 2006 as a secretary at a law firm and has since gained extensive experience as a legal secretary at several law firms. Sharon was previously employed at our firm from 2010 to 2016. She supports attorneys and legal professionals with great dedication, precision, and, above all, enthusiasm. We are delighted that Sharon has returned.

Romy Huls

Romy Huls
Secretary
huls@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Success demands singleness of purpose.

Romy Huls completed her Bachelor’s degree in Law (HBO) in 2025 and is now in the final stages of her Pre-Master’s programme in Law at Maastricht University. In September 2026, she will begin her Master’s degree in Employment Law, Social Security and Health. In addition, Romy will be joining our firm as a secretary on 1 May 2026.

Annie Miseré

Annie Miseré
Secretary
misere@sijbenpartners.nl
045-5602200

Quality is not an act, it is a habit.

Annie Miseré has been working in the legal profession as a legal secretary since August 1975. She has worked in various areas of law and has gained extensive experience and knowledge over the years. Annie has worked in the legal profession for a long time, including 30 years at Sijben & Partners. 

After many years of loyal service, Annie has retired. We are extremely grateful to her for her commitment and dedication. Fortunately, we don't have to miss her completely: Annie will continue to support us on an on-call basis when needed.