Europe - Netherlands

Van Doorne

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The employment and pensions practice at Van Doorne is jointly led by employment experts Marjolijn Lips, Steven Sterk, and recently promoted partners Cara Pronk and Sijbren Kuiper. The team boasts a well-rounded employment offering, including advising on executive and boardroom conflicts, workers' participation issues, the employment aspects of restructuring and M&A, and investigations into issues such as inappropriate behaviour and misconduct. The team is also known for its strength in pension fund transactions and pensions litigation.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Substantive expertise combined with a pragmatic approach and highly effective, actionable advice. They understand the dynamics in boardrooms and act accordingly.’

  • ‘Cara Pronk is an excellent employment lawyer - very clear and decisive advice, very responsive.’

  • ‘I have worked with Steven Sterk. During this period, which for myself was sometimes emotional and with an uncertain outcome, I felt supported and understood by Steven. But most important of all, I felt sure that he would get the best result for me. The way Steven has guided me in my considerations was very valuable and appreciated.’

  • ‘The employment team of Van Doorne exhibits remarkable responsiveness, an impressive depth of knowledge, and a strong focus on business. They consistently provide high-level advice while maintaining a warm and personal approach. They are very pleasant to work with.’

  • ‘Cara Pronk is not only extremely knowledgeable but also hands-on, sharp and solution-oriented. She is keen on understanding the client's business and is an excellent sparring partner, with an exceptional ability to find practical solutions for complex legal issues. Sijbren Kuiper is distinguished by his extensive legal expertise, unwavering responsiveness and ability to always think about the client's needs.’

  • ‘Marjolijn Lips clearly sees the bigger picture, which gives us trust that the matter will be handled successfully. She is not afraid to address difficulties and risks at the client's end.’

  • ‘Deep knowledge regarding pension matters - not only the legal side, but also the financial and governance side are taken into consideration when giving advice. Smooth cooperation with other legal areas within the firm.’

  • ‘Sijbren Kuiper is knowledgeable, cooperative, flexible and pleasant to work with. The best result was achieved with a lot of patience.’

Key clients

  • ADG dienstengroep
  • Agrifirm
  • Asito B.V.
  • Athora
  • Blackboard
  • Central Works Council of LeasePlan
  • Enviolo
  • Getir
  • GGzE
  • Gucci
  • Headfirst
  • Hedin Automotive
  • Intel
  • Intertek
  • Klarna
  • KPMG N.V.
  • Navitas Capital
  • Pension fund Metal Sector (PME)
  • Pension fund PostNL
  • Starbucks
  • Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e)
  • Van Wijnen
  • Volta Trucks
  • Xior Student Housing

Work highlights

  • Advising Intertek on negotiating and giving notice of termination of the company collective labour agreement, dealing with the subsequent and long-term strikes organised by trade union FNV, the structure and implementation of a large reorganisation, and negotiating a social plan with the relevant trade union and the consultation process with the works council.
  • Advising Getir on the employment and pension aspects in relation to the EUR 1.2bn acquisition of Gorillas.
  • Acting as defence counsel for Reiswerk Pensioenen in a claim involving around 900 participants who started court proceedings against the client, pension fund PGB and the Dutch Central Bank regarding alleged breaches of EU law.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners

Cara Pronk

Cara Pronk

Van Doorne

Cara has become partner in the Employment Law practice as per 1 January 2023. Within the International Employment Law team Cara specialises in cross-border employment, collective and individual redundancies, mergers and acquisitions, outsourcing, flex workers and European employee representation.  

Steven Sterk

Steven Sterk

Van Doorne

  Steven specialises in employment law. In particular, he focuses on statutory directors and their dismissal, employee participation and employment conditions.   In cooperation with Annemieke Hendrikse, who is a partner at Van Doorne and specialised in directors' and officers' liability, Steven developed the 'Directors' check', informing directors about their employment law and liability position. At no cost, Steven and Annemieke make directors aware of their particular situations and responsibilities and answer their questions, using the Directors' check.    

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Marjolijn Lips, Steven Sterk, Cara Pronk, Sijbren Kuiper