Stibbe is a leading force in employment and pensions law, with expertise in handling a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The team has established strength in advising on employment litigation, often involving strikes and disputes concerning non-standard workers. Pensions matters are also prominent in the group's workload; the practice is often instructed by employers, insurers and pension funds in pensions projects, litigation and merger-related matters. Transactional work is another key area of instruction for the department. Employment expert Jaap van Slooten is a key contact for platform economy matters; he co-heads the practice with Paul Vestering, who has extensive experience in advising on collective employment matters and pensions issues, and Astrid Helstone, who assists financial sector entities with dismissals, renumeration issues and restructurings.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is outstanding in their individual knowledge, but also how they work together as a team. As a client, you can assume that the team is well aware of all matters, regardless of who you speak to.’

  • ‘Astrid Helstone is a one-of-a-kind lawyer, especially in the area of remuneration restrictions for financial institutions. She is both extremely knowledgeable and practical. In addition, Phinney Disseldorp is an outstanding lawyer, with a high level of expertise, practical approach, combined with a down to earth mindset.’

  • ‘It is a top notch team with a deep knowledge of the market and the ability to provide client oriented solutions based on a very thorough legal analysis. ’

  • ‘A first rate team, giving practical and timely advice.’

  • ‘The team has great knowledge on collective labour law.’

  • ‘Paul Vestering is very knowledgeable and has extensive experience in dealing with proceedings around collective labour agreements.’

  • ‘Jaap van Slooten was absolutely top of the bill. He saw possibilities where others were stuck in tunnel vision and was very able to keep a very complex case 'simple'.'

  • ‘Stibbe's employment law practice offers a unique combination of outstanding legal expertise and commercial pragmatism. They are truly a breath of fresh air.'

Key clients

  • Sabic
  • Netflix
  • Uber
  • G-Star Raw
  • Ayvens
  • Dutch Railways (NS)
  • Albert Heijn
  • International Business Machines Corporation
  • KLM
  • Prijsvrij
  • Picnic
  • a.s.r.
  • Mars
  • Heineken

Work highlights

  • Acting as counsel to Uber on strategic issues and ongoing proceedings issued by FNV, the largest trade union in the Netherlands, which is representing the drivers who use the Uber app.
  • Acted for G-Star RAW in high-profile pension litigation.
  • Acted for Sabic in a dispute with its works councils regarding the client's intended decision to relocate its European head office.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Jaap van Slooten, Paul Vestering, Astrid Helstone

Other key lawyers

Phinney Disseldorp, Marko Jovović