The Rotterdam-based employment and incentives practice at Ploum excels in co-determination matters, restructurings, collective dismissals, and issues involving works councils. The firm brought in Daniël van Gerven from De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek in January 2023 to serve as practice co-head, adding to the strength of the firm’s remuneration, incentives, and internal investigations offering. Managing partner and co-head Rutger Ploum is known for his skills in conflicts between enterprises, unions, and works councils, while co-head Simon Tan handles private client cases involving executives.

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Rutger Ploum is an outstanding leader, a connector, a mentor, a mediator, and a good listener, and has a practical mindset with a lot of knowledge. A great person to work with. He is living the core values of the firm in every thing he does. He built the team and every individual is living the core values of the company. You see that, you feel that.’
‘The employment law team has multiple specialisms that can be deployed as needed. There is no question that cannot be answered. Moreover, they never get in each other's way, but all have knowledge of the case.’
‘Excellent people who are on the ball and very professional. A pleasure to work with. Definitely a firm that will become more and more important, specifically in the field of employment law.’
‘Daniël van Gerven is an excellent lawyer. His combination of experience in practice and as a university lecturer makes him a true expert. Client handling is extremely professional and good.'
‘The Ploum team is always very professional, responsive, accessible and able to accommodate the different needs that we have as an ever-changing organisation.’
‘Daniël van Gerven stands out in terms of its in-depth knowledge of the employment landscape in the Netherlands, its availability and engagement. He is an excellent lawyer and great person to work with - a real asset to the Ploum team.’
‘Ploum has an excellent team that is always professional, available and able to work across different areas of employment law. They are real specialists, who are focused, on the ball and always there when you need them.’
‘Simon Tan is a real veteran and trusted boardroom advisor. A very affable and humble man, who is widely respected in the market. Easy to deal with, approachable and provides excellent insights and advice. Able to break down complex issues very effectively. Great commitment to his clients.’

Key clients

Allianz
Aluchemie
APM Terminals Maasvlakte II
Arbo Unie B.V.
Atlas Copco International
Bastion Hotel Group
Bolidt Kunststoftoepassingen B.V.
Bonduelle Nederland B.V.
Brand New Day
British Petroleum
Cardialysis B.V.
Cefetra Group
Chemours Netherlands B.V.
Conservator
Customs Support Group
Digital Realty Inc.
DFI Food
Ecorys
ekaterra Netherlands (Lipton Teas)
Eon
Essent Nederland B.V.
FinCoEnergies
FNV and CNV
Gate Terminal
Gorillas
Greenergy Biofuels Amsterdam
Groenleven
Hutchinson Ports Delta II
Klépierre S.A.
Kodak Nederland B.V.
Koninklijke Verkade N.V.
Maersk Line Netherlands B.V.
Mammoet Holding B.V.
Marlow
Mennens Group
Michael Lewis Company Inc.
Municipality Breda
NIBC Bank
Nutreco N.V.
OCI N.V.
One-Dyas
Peinemann
Pladis Global (Koninklijke Verkade)
Puma Benelux
RanMarine Technologies B.V.
RobeCo B.V.
Rotterdam Short Sea Terminal (RST)
Royal Keune B.V.
Royal Vopak
Safescan
Scarabee aviation group B.V.
SHV Holdings N.V.
Sprenkels&Verschuren B.V.
Stichting Boijmans van Beuningen Museum
Stichting Kunsthal Rotterdam
Teleplan
TempOil Nederland B.V.
Tony’s Team B.V.
Transtrend
TUI Nederland N.V.
Unilever
Upfield Foods UK Limited

Work highlights

Advised on the intended closedown of the Aluchemie plant and the reorganisation resulting in a downsizing of 220 employees.
Advised APM Terminals Maasvlakte II on the investment in a new terminal and the related employment transitions.
Advised Unilever on several large-scale reorganisations.