Kennedy Van der Laan takes a sector-focused approach to its employment practice, specialising in the technology, financial, and healthcare sectors, aiding employers and international clients with a slew of employment issues. The firm frequently advises on hybrid working arrangements and diversity and inclusion compliance, and is known for its expertise in co-governance law as well as restructuring and reorganisation projects. Chris Nekeman, Soo-Ja Schijf, and Ester Damen lead the practice together. Nekeman is a specialist in employee participation law, Schijf largely represents multinational companies in reorganisations and dismissals, and Damen acts for both employers and works councils, as well as being the go-to for assisting clients in unethical behaviour matters.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team always go out of their way to assist our ever-changing business. Due to the relationship which we have built over the years, thy understand our ways of working as well as our quirks so when we do have any issues which we require guidance on, they are up to speed immediately.'
‘Soo-Ja Schijf's instincts are always to protect the company but also provide caution on the impact on the employee so we can ensure that we are doing the right thing and minimising risk.'
‘They are proactive, knowledgeable, approachable, good communicators and deliver as promised. They show outstanding levels of integrity and achieve an excellent balance between the personal and business aspects and perspective. They are involved and committed, creative and solutions oriented, and are not afraid to provide bold advice and take legal action. It is a pleasure to work with them.’
‘Ester Damen is knowledgeable, dedicated, engaged and committed.'
‘Great approach and leadership through the entire legal process. Always supportive and available.’
- 'They are readily available, and they know our business and industry very well. Their advice is always focused on being ahead of things. They are proactive in involving team members with other areas of expertise.’
- 'The employment team is dynamic, collaborative and really human.'
- 'Soo-Ja Schijf is just brilliant. She is super bright, well connected and very commercial. She seeks out opportunities to collaborate for the benefit of her clients.'
Key clients
- KLM
- GKN Aerospace/Fokker
- Central Works Council IBM
- Microsoft
- Nike
- Booking.com
- Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Rabobank
- VodafoneZiggo
Work highlights
- Represented Mediahuis in 19 cases before the Court of Appeal of Amsterdam in which contractors of Mediahuis claim that they are actually employed by the client on the basis of an employment contract.
- Advised Lucid Motors on the employment and pensions aspects relating to the setting up of its European headquarters in the Netherlands.
- Advised Convatec on a cross-border restructuring project involving a large-scale collective redundancy, the collective consultation process with the works council and trade unions, and the negotiation of a social plan.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Chris Nekeman, Soo-Ja Schijf, Ester Damen