GREAT BAY--Commercial attorney Thaïsa Heymans has joined DEJONG effective September 1, 2026, strengthening the law firm's growing commercial and corporate practice as it continues expanding its presence across the Dutch Caribbean.
Heymans will focus on serving businesses, entrepreneurs and institutional clients, while contributing to DEJONG's goal of developing a more connected inter-island commercial practice. Her appointment comes as the firm's St. Maarten office relocates to a larger location on Cannegieter Street to accommodate its expanding team and client base.
Born and raised in the Netherlands to Caribbean parents from Curaçao and Aruba, Heymans has maintained close personal and professional ties to the Dutch Caribbean. She completed her primary, secondary and tertiary education in the Netherlands and earned a Master's degree in International Commercial Law from Erasmus University Rotterdam.
She joins DEJONG following a period practicing commercial law in St. Maarten, where she developed her litigation experience and represented clients across several areas of law.
“This move feels both familiar and exciting,” Heymans said. “St. Maarten is home and will always be home to me. At the same time, Curaçao offers a great opportunity for further professional growth and for building lasting relationships within its business community. I look forward to helping DEJONG build an accessible and truly inter-island commercial practice.”
DEJONG founder and managing partner Gerald Simmons-de Jong welcomed Heymans to the firm, noting that the two first met while attending Erasmus University Rotterdam more than 15 years ago.
“Thaïsa and I actually met in law school at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam over 15 years ago. She is a perfect fit for the team and an exceptional addition to DEJONG,” Simmons-de Jong said.
He said her appointment reflects the type of regional growth the firm wants to pursue, based on developing local talent and strengthening professional cooperation between the islands.
“Her arrival represents exactly the kind of growth we believe in: growth rooted in local talent, strengthened by collaboration between our islands and driven by the ambition to provide high-quality legal services throughout the Dutch Caribbean. I am so proud that Thaïsa has chosen DEJONG for the next chapter of her career, and I am convinced that she will make an important contribution to the future of our firm and the legal practice on our islands.”
Heymans' appointment forms part of DEJONG's broader regional development strategy. The firm said it continues to invest in professionals who understand the Dutch Caribbean and can provide legal services across island borders.
The expansion is also being reflected physically in St. Maarten, where DEJONG is moving its local office to a new and larger location on Cannegieter Street. The firm said the additional space represents a continued investment in St. Maarten and will provide a stronger base from which its growing team can serve individuals, businesses and clients in both the private and public sectors.
Founded in June 2023, DEJONG is a full-service law firm with offices in St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius, Bonaire and Curaçao. Its areas of practice include commercial, administrative and corporate law, as well as legislation and policy services, workshops and training.
The firm said the addition of Heymans and expansion of its St. Maarten office mark another step in its development as a modern and connected Caribbean law practice focused on providing accessible legal services throughout the region.
