It is with great respect for his commitment, dedication and professionalism that we commemorate the passing away on February 24, 2022 of our office colleague.

Mr. L.H.M. (Louis) Zonnenberg, lawyer

We are grateful to Louis for his exceptional contributions to the firm and family inheritance law in The Netherlands. We wish his life partner Mariëtte, his children and grandchildren strength in coping with this great loss.

Louis graduated from the Catholic University of Nijmegen in 1979. On April 1, 1980, he began his career as a trainee lawyer at (then) Banning & Erkens c.s. Advocaten, located on Van der Does de Willeboissingel in ’s-Hertogenbosch. The following day, he was sworn in at the ’s-Hertogenbosch District Court, marking the official start of his career as a lawyer. During that time, Louis focused on both administrative law and family and inheritance law, while also handling criminal duty cases. A few years later, he dedicated himself fully to family law.  

With his unwavering optimism, boundless drive, and tireless commitment, Louis built and established the family and inheritance law division at Banning into what it is today. He was also widely recognized nationwide for his expertise, helping to position family and inheritance law as a specialized field. In addition to his work as a lawyer and divorce mediator, Louis served as a deputy judge in the family chambers of the Courts of Appeal in The Hague and Amsterdam, and as an arbitrator at the Netherlands Arbitration Institute for family and inheritance law. His extensive expertise made him a sought-after lecturer and author.  

He taught at various postgraduate specialization programs, Banning Training Courses, and Utrecht University. His multi-day training sessions in warm locations like Spain and Italy attracted a loyal following of participants who highly praised his teaching. In 2009, Louis earned his doctorate at the Open University of Heerlen with a dissertation on “The Settlement Clause.” He was also a co-founder and editor of *EB Tijdschrift voor Scheidingsrecht* and *RFR, Rechtspraak Familierecht.* Louis worked as a forensic mediator, collaborative practitioner, and binding advisor. In his role as a Private Judge, he provided binding rulings on complex, often relationship-property-related issues.  

In 1992, Louis joined the Association of Family and Inheritance Law Lawyers (VPFA) and the Association of Divorce Mediators (VAS). Under his leadership, these two organizations merged in 2003 to form the current vFAS (Association of Family and Inheritance Law Lawyers and Divorce Mediators). As the first chairman of vFAS for its initial two years, Louis successfully unified the distinct cultures of the two associations into a cohesive team. He also played a key role in developing the legal training program for vFAS through the IMFO Legal Working Group.  

From 2008 onward, Louis served as a lecturer and examiner in marital property law for the vFAS training program, certifying many family and inheritance lawyers as specialists after they passed their exams. His extensive network and strong academic interest made him a true expert who shared his knowledge generously and passionately.  

In a 2015 interview for Het Advocatenblad, celebrating his recognition as “Best Lawyer in the Netherlands,” Louis shared that his favorite part of the profession was teaching, transferring knowledge to others, and collaboratively exploring the deeper truths of legal issues. Louis was lauded as a gentlemanly lawyer who only litigated when absolutely necessary and always afforded his opponents a dignified resolution.  

Louis believed that a good lawyer must not only possess solid legal knowledge but also be inventive, as this combination leads to solutions that are tailored to people and their situations. He recognized that no dispute and no person are the same.  

Since the early 1980s, Louis has played a significant role in the growth of our firm into what it is today. He built the Family and Inheritance Law division from the ground up, and under his inspiring leadership, it has grown into a nationally recognized powerhouse.  

Hard work was a given, but Louis never lost sight of the human touch—toward both his clients and his colleagues. To Louis, the person behind the lawyer was paramount. He showed genuine concern for the well-being of every colleague, creating a trusted space where they could confide in him. His role as the office’s *pater familias* suited him perfectly, and he fulfilled it with great enthusiasm. Louis was also a strong advocate for activities outside the office, always leading the way at social events, team outings, boot camps, or even comedy nights.  

Louis was energetic, involved, driven, enthusiastic, determined, and a touch stubborn. He was a role model, a source of inspiration, and a rock for many. Louis *is* Banning.  

We will always remember Louis with great gratitude and cherish the inspiration he continues to provide us.  

"A passionate lawyer cannot gain forty years of experience without being challenged every single day."