SBA ADVOCATEN - Key Persons
Arndt van Hoof (Netherlands, 1974) is a lawyer and partner at Soliana Bonapart & Aardenburg.
Previously, he was a lawyer in the Netherlands in a general (civil) practice. At our firm, he also focuses on private law, with an emphasis on obligations (contract) law, commercial law, transport law, insurance law, rent law and labor law.
"I was hooked from the first day I began this profession. It's extremely dynamic and requires a thorough, professional approach. This law firm offers the perfect environment for this, moreover because of its size. I would describe my personal style as clear cut. Clear advice and concrete answers, that's the point. We at Soliana Bonapart & Aardenburg find it important to contribute to society via our work."
Arndt studied Dutch Law at the University of Maastricht and completed the Grotius specialization course on Transport Law in 2011. He speaks English and Dutch.
Daniela Suares is of counsel / advisor at Soliana Bonapart & Aardenburg
As our of counsel / advisor, Daniela provides the firm with substantive and strategic advice on a wide array of complex legal matters in all practice areas of the firm. Her practice focuses particularly on banking and supervisory regulations and regulatory compliance in general, labor law, administrative and constitutional law, company and commercial law. She is an experienced attorney who served both local and international clients across a broad range of industries.
Ellen Frins (Netherlands, 1985) is an attorney at Soliana Bonapart & Aardenburg.
After being a lawyer in the Netherlands for 12 years, Ellen joined the firm in Curaçao in September 2022.
Ellen has extensive experience litigating and advising in civil law, including family law, inheritance law, tenancy law and general contract law.
"I am a very practical, down-to-earth lawyer who is solution-oriented without losing sight of my clients' interests. I quickly fathom a case and dare to choose a clear strategy and stick to it. I am calm and not easily distracted. Qualities that come into their own in a fast-paced and diverse litigation practice like at Soliana Bonapart & Aardenburg."
Ellen studied Dutch Law at the University of Maastricht, after which she obtained her Master's degree in Criminal Law. Subsequently, she followed the Togamaster where she also studied civil law practice. She speaks Dutch, English and German.
Eric was born and raised in Curaçao.
Eric earned his Master's Degree in Maritime & Transport Law at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
After his studies he worked in Rotterdam at an international insurance broker as claims consultant Marine Hull.
Eric returned to Curaçao and joined Soliana Bonapart & Aardenburg as a lawyer in 2018.
Eric is specialised in a broad scope of legal areas, and has extensive experience in litigation. He advises national and international clients and governmental organisations.
Jairo G. Bloem (Netherlands, 1972) has been working since 1996 as a lawyer at leading firms in the Caribbean.
For the last fourteen years, he has been a partner at the Bloem & Associates law office in St. Maarten, which he founded himself. In 2013, he joined forces with our office and became a partner at Bloem Bonapart & Aardenburg, our St. Maarten office.
Jairo specializes in corporate law, litigation and employment law. In addition to the clients at his local practice in St. Maarten, he serves predominantly American clients, including clients in the leisure industry, real estate, aviation and retail business. He is primarily engaged in guiding and setting up legal organizational structures, applications for permits and licenses, and litigation.
Van Dijk Soliana Bonapart & Aardenburg III is the trade name of the Law Office Van Dijk & Partners N.V. established in Bonaire. Van Dijk expertise in Employment & Pensions, Energy & Telecommunication, Bankruptcies and Restructuring, Financial Services & Insurances, Mergers, Takeovers & Ventures, Hotels, Tourism & Care, Intellectual Property & Information technology, Media & Entertainment, Estates & Family affairs, Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedure, Government, Physical Planning & Environment, Transport, Commerce & Infrastructure and Real Estate, Construction and Leasing.
Michael Bonapart (Suriname, 1959) is a lawyer and managing partner at Soliana Bonapart & Aardenburg.
He began his career at our office in 1984, which was called Winkel, Knoppel and Soliana at the time. In 1996, he became a member of our partnership. Michael has many years of experience as a lawyer. His practice areas include, in particular, civil law, administrative law, insurance law, telecommunications law, agency and distribution agreements, labor law, litigation and corporate law.
Michael was involved in the expansion of our firm to St. Maarten, Bonaire and Aruba. From 1996 to 1998 he was vice-Dean of the Curaçao Bar Association.
Molly joined Soliana, Bonapart & Aardenburg in 2019 after working as an attorney and partner (1987 - 2018) at the law firm Van Eps Kunneman Van Doorne.
Since she joined the legal profession in 1987, Molly Steward has been focusing on a general law practice with employment law as specialization (2009 - present) . With her comprehensive knowledge and expertise she represents the interests of a wide variety of businesses regarding labour contracts, terms of employment, dismissal procedures, fusions and takeovers in and out of the courtroom .
For those who have Curaçao as work and employment law as practice area, she published ‘Bundel Arbeidsrecht en Regelgeving Curaçao 2015', a userfriendly and time saving compilation of all vigorous laws and regulations (SNAAR-edition, BOOM Juridische Uitgeverij).
For organizations with a law department, she organizes tailormade in company workshops on employment law.
Molly has been quoted by Chambers Global.
in since 2017 as "respected and skilled lawyer who is particularly highly regarded for her focus on labour and employment law".
Molly Steward studied Dutch Private Law at the University of Utrecht. She speaks Dutch, English, Spanish and Papiamentu.
Rocio Leoneta (Cali, 1985) has been working as a paralegal at Soliana, Bonapart & Aardenburg since January 2023. She performs preliminary legal work.
She has work experience in the public sector (Social Development Labor and Welfare) and in the private sector (Notary Public). Furthermore, Rocio was former secretary of the ‘Rechtswinkel' at the University of Curaçao.
Rocio studied law at the University of Curaçao with a major in Private Law and speaks Dutch, English, Papiamentu, and Spanish.
Suellen (Susy) Gonzales (Curacao, 1991) is an associate lawyer at Soliana, Bonapart & Aardenburg.
Thomas Aardenburg (Netherlands, 1965) is a lawyer and managing partner at Soliana Bonapart & Aardenburg.
From 1996 to 2000 Thomas worked at our office as an associate. In 2004, he became a member of our partnership. Thomas engages in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, restructurings, project development, shareholder disputes, corporate litigation, directors' liability and corporate governance. He is also involved in matters related to the financial offshore, international finance, establishing hedge funds and estate planning.
"We work for many foreign parties active in the former Netherlands Antilles - Curacao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba - and in Aruba and Suriname. Additionally, we serve local public entities and private parties. The legal profession is a craft, a combination of speed, empathy and legal and strategic insight. Globalization and a rapidly changing legal arena require a sharp eye and being constantly alert."
Van Dijk Soliana Bonapart & Aardenburg III is the trade name of the Law Office Van Dijk & Partners N.V. established in Bonaire. Van Dijk expertise in Employment & Pensions, Energy & Telecommunication, Bankruptcies and Restructuring, Financial Services & Insurances, Mergers, Takeovers & Ventures, Hotels, Tourism & Care, Intellectual Property & Information technology, Media & Entertainment, Estates & Family affairs, Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedure, Government, Physical Planning & Environment, Transport, Commerce & Infrastructure and Real Estate, Construction and Leasing.