As of 1st May 2019 Jikke heads the International Trade, Customs & Logistics practice group at the Rotterdam law firm Ploum. Her team’s services include advising on and conducting civil, administrative and criminal litigation and corporate investigations in the areas of international trade, logistics, insurance, customs, export controls & sanctions and product compliance, including litigation before the Dutch Supreme Court. The team focuses in particular on the industry sectors Trade & Logistics, High Tech & Industry, Food & Agriculture and Life Sciences & Health.
In her practice, which includes both commercial advisory services and litigation, Jikke combines specialist knowledge in the field of customs law, anti-dumping and trade-regulatory law, with extensive experience in neighbouring fields, including civil and criminal law. Jikke offers an integrated, multidisciplinary approach and therefore a true ‘one-stop-shop’ for all customs and export control related matters.
Jikke has a strong network in logistics which enables her to connect market players and to find out of the box solutions both in and outside the legal arena. Jikke: ‘I work for my clients to achieve the best feasible solution, preferably with willing parties – but if necessary, through tactical litigation. In my view, a lawyer is not called in for the conflict, but for the solution.’
“When Jikke and I started to discuss the creation of a network of customs law firms, Jikke immediately became the engine. GreenLane (for which, by the way, she suggested the name) has developed since as a very prosperous venture. Not only in terms of cooperation and organization but also in commercial terms. At the moment she stepped in, she took ownership. We actually generate money and in that sense I consider GreenLane in my own firm as an evident plus on my CV, which is clearly recognized by my partners. At the beginning we started with five, now we have thirteen member firms in the EU and 7 members in third countries such as China, India and Brazil.. Jikke played an immense role in putting this together as she is by far the most energetic of all of us. She deploys great ideas for business development: both aimed at approaching clients and organizing events. In a nutshell I should say that I like particularly her business acumen. GreenLane would not have been there without Jikke.” - Yves Melin, partner at Reed Smith.
After graduating cum laude in both criminal and business law, Jikke started her career as a lawyer in 2004 with the international law firm DLA Piper, where she gained the necessary experience in all aspects of international trade, transport and insurance law. In addition, she specialized in customs law, export control and sanctions legislation.
In 2008, Jikke passed the specialist postgraduate Grotius Transport Law course, once more with distinction, and at the same time also successfully finished the post masters Customs Law at the European Fiscal Studies Foundation of Erasmus University in Rotterdam.
Jikke is fluent in Dutch and English and frequently publishes articles on customs and export control and sanctions legislation. She wrotes fort he column VAT and Customs of Kluwer Highlights & Insights, chairs the examination board of KGH Douaneopleidingen Nederland, lectures customs law fort he Dutch Forwarders Association FENEX and is founder and board member of GreenLane, an international network of customs and trade law firms both in and outside the EU.
In 2025, Jikke has again been awarded the Client's Choice award by the Lexology Index. Jikke is Global Elite Thought Leader in this field and again recommended for the Trade & Customs category for the Netherlands.
Some quotes that peers and clients gave her:
"Without a doubt she can be considered as one of the best legal partners you could find in the area of customs and logistics"
"Her strong practical understanding of the business makes her a strong partner to have on your side"
"Jikke has built an extensive network of customs lawyers in other European countries"
"Jikke is an experienced and knowledgeable practitioner"
"She has a strong analytical mind and a lot of experience in the field"
"She understands our business needs and helps solve problems quickly and efficiently"
“Jikke has the ability to drill down to a problem quickly and provide not only the legal framework but also applicability. How is it applied in practice and what are the considerations.”
“Jikke understands that no company operates with zero risk so understand we need to make a trade-off.”
“Jikke is realistic and to the point and is well aware of legislative changes and is pro-active with our cases.”
‘Jikke Biermasz is a unique lawyer with outstanding experience.’ - Legal 500 EMEA 2025
‘Marijn van Tuijl and Jikke Biermasz know what’s relevant for the food safety authority and know very well how to trade globally.’ - Legal 500 EMEA 2025
‘Jikke Biermasz possesses a wealth of knowledge on customs and trade law and is calm under pressure.' - Legal 500 EMEA 2025
‘Jikke Biermasz has a deep understanding of the sector, and it is always enjoyable to work with her.’ - Legal 500 EMEA 2025
Jikke Biermasz has registered the following principal (and secondary) legal practice areas in the Netherlands Bar’s register of legal practice areas (rechtsgebiedenregister):
Based on this registration, Jikke Biermasz is required to obtain ten training credits per calendar year in each registered principal legal practice area in accordance with the standards set by the Netherlands Bar.
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