About

Provided by Kennedy Van der Laan

Kennedy Van der Laan’s Labour & Employment team is one of the biggest teams of the Netherlands, representing high profile clients, such as the Dutch Association of Judges and various multination listed companies, such as Nike and Microsoft. The Labour & Employment team is specialized in all aspects of employment law and co-governance law. They are experienced legal advisers and capable litigators.

The team assists HR departments with their on-going employment questions, such as day-to-day HR issues, drafting agreements, restrictive covenants, handbooks and HR policies, creating a flexible workforce, finding solutions for labour conflicts and assist with individual and collective dismissals.

They also deal with and advise on a strategic level on the employment law consequences of all forms of corporate transactions, (international) mergers, acquisitions, outsourcing and business restructurings. They are experienced in offering a total solution for the development and integration of a harmonized employment conditions policy that takes all HR disciplines into account. This also involves discussions and negotiations with the (European) works council and trade unions.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employment - Netherlands

3
Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Kennedy Van der Laan offers a distinguished employment team with experience acting for big-name clients in sectors such as transport, technology and banking. The firm has a distinguished reputation for its work advising employers on TUPE, workforce reorganisations and post-transactional harmonisation. It also represents clients in employment litigation, including in cases relating to diversity and inclusion issues.

Work Highlights

Provided by Kennedy Van der Laan

  • Kennedy Van der Laan represented Mediahuis in legal proceedings brought by a group of newspaper distributors in relation to their employment status on the basis of an employment contract.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Chris Nekeman
3
Chris Nekeman
Head of Employment
3
Band 3

Chris Nekeman advises companies on negotiations with works councils, as well as disputes with executive employees and post-M&A restructuring. His wider practice sees him provide guidance on the transfer of undertaking procedures.

Chris Nekeman is experienced and approachable, with a human touch and an excellent external network. He delivers as promised.

Chris Nekeman not only provides prompt advice but also takes into account factors such as internal politics, consistency with previous approaches and associated risks.

Soo-ja Schijf
4
Soo-ja Schijf
4
Band 4

Soo-Ja Schijf has a broad international client base that includes major names from sectors as diverse as banking and medical technology. Her experience encompasses matters relating to non-compete clauses and instances of sexual harassment. She also offers skill working on TUPE matters, hybrid working arrangements and redundancies.

Soo-Ja Schijf has partnered with us to navigate tricky employment issues for a number of years and has always provided high-level strategic advice.

Soo-Ja Schijf is a wonderful lawyer and a breath of fresh air. She is supportive, tenacious and commercial. You definitely want her in your corner.

Soo-Ja Schijf is lovely to work with and always keen to help clients.

She is very easily accessible and knowledgeable, and has a practical and very solution-oriented approach. She knows exactly what we are looking for.

Ester Damen
U
Ester Damen
U
Up and Coming

Ester Damen assists with global restructuring and reorganisation matters. She also advises on inappropriate behaviour and trade union dealings.

Ester Damen is experienced, approachable, responsive and personal. She considers the perspectives of both employers and employees and delivers as promised.

Thanks to Ester Damen, we were able to deal with the matter smoothly.

Ranked Lawyers at
Kennedy Van der Laan

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Netherlands

Employment

Chris Nekeman
3
Chris Nekeman
Head of Employment
3
Band 3
Soo-Ja Schijf
4
Soo-Ja Schijf
4
Band 4
Ester Damen
U
Ester Damen
U
Up and Coming

Members

Provided by Kennedy Van der Laan

Chris Nekeman

Chris Nekeman

Head of Department

Ester Damen

Soo-ja Schijf

Clients

Provided by Kennedy Van der Laan

CGI

Martinair

Microsoft

Nike

Reed Business/Elsevier

Syngenta

UWV

Ziggo

Industries

Provided by Kennedy Van der Laan

Construction

Fashion

Finance

Health Care

Insurance

Media

Public Sector

Real Estate

Retail

Technology