Erik van der Heijden

Erik van der Heijden is Goodwin’s senior manager of strategic pricing, where he partners with lawyers and business professionals across the firm to develop innovative pricing strategies that align client expectations with the firm’s business objectives. He advises on alternative fee arrangements (AFAs), fixed-fee and value-based pricing models, budgeting, financial modeling, and pricing strategy for complex matters and client proposals.

Working closely with Practice Group leadership, Legal Project Management, Finance, Client Development, and Operations, Erik develops data-driven pricing solutions that support profitable growth while delivering value to clients. He also helps advance the firm’s pricing capabilities by leveraging analytics and emerging AI-enabled technologies to improve forecasting, pricing decisions, and matter management.

Prior to joining Goodwin in 2026, Erik spent more than six years with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates, where he most recently served as legal pricing supervisor. In that role, he advised partners on pricing strategy for complex litigation and transactional matters, led pricing for client proposals and requests for proposals (RFPs), developed financial models for alternative fee arrangements, and managed a team of pricing professionals. He also partnered with firm leadership to enhance pricing processes and provide strategic financial insights that supported client and business objectives.

Earlier in his career, Erik held legal finance and operations roles at Rivkin Radler LLP, Jackson Lewis P.C., Clyde & Co, and Apollo Global Management, building expertise in legal pricing, financial analysis, business operations, and client relationship management.

Erik earned a Master of Science in Business Analytics from Hofstra University and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Economics from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. He also completed coursework in Strategic Management at LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome, Italy, reflecting his international academic background and global perspective.