Market recognition
The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Employment - Ranked
Kennedy Van der Laan has a strong focus on sectors including technology, financial services and healthcare, and has specific experience in employee governance, advising and representing employers and work councils. The firm is also active in restructurings and reorganisations, as well as employment-related data protection matters and #MeToo issues. The practice is led by Chris Nekeman, who specialises in employee participation and legal proceedings for works councils and employers, Soo-Ja Schijf, who primarily represents multinationals with European operations, and Ester Damen, who has expertise in employee participation and data protection in employment relationships.
Practice heads: Chris Nekeman; Soo-Ja Schijf; Ester Damen
Testimonials
- Great partnership, always ready to assist, exceptionally professional and very accessible, with multicultural expertise. Very appropriate communication, critical thinking and ownership of the matter.’
- ‘Kennedy suit our company very well as they are used to working with big clients. They are professional, while keeping a practical, down-to-earth approach.’
- ‘We work mostly with Soo-ja Schijf. She is used to working for big international companies and helped us a lot in some complex legal matters.’
- ‘Very responsive, and clear and concise in their advice to cut through some of the more complex aspects of Dutch labour law.’
- ‘Ester Damen is calm and assured, with good commercial sense underpinned by strong technical skills.’
- ‘Good quality. Down-to-earth approach. Practical and quick advice that will help you to proceed.’
- ‘Chris Nekeman is a great sparring partner.’
- ‘Ester Damen is a true business partner to the client’s company and I have great trust in her abilities and intentions for our company. I trust her implicitly.’
Chambers Europe 2023 - Employment: Ranked
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 financial services. The firm has a distinguished reputation for its work advising employers on employee participation issues, workforce reorganisations and post-transactional harmonisation. It also represents clients in employment litigation, including in cases relating to diversity and inclusion issues.
Strengths
"They are very, very responsive and have a client-friendly approach."
"They always provide practical solutions and advice."
Notable practitioners
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 transfer of undertaking procedures. "He's an impressive legal adviser."
Up-and-coming partner Soo-ja Schijf has a broad international client base that includes major names from sectors as diverse as financial services and medical technology. Her experience encompasses matters relating to non-compete clauses and instances of sexual harassment. "She is a person who knows how to combine commercial skills with technical skills."
The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Employment - Ranked
Kennedy Van der Laan has a strong focus on sectors including technology, financial services and healthcare, and has specific experience in employee governance, advising and representing employers and work councils. The firm is also active in restructurings and reorganisations, as well as employment-related data protection matters and #MeToo issues. The practice is led by Chris Nekeman, who specialises in employee participation and legal proceedings for works councils and employers, Soo-Ja Schijf, who primarily represents multinationals with European operations, and Ester Damen, who has expertise in employee participation and data protection in employment relationships.
Practice heads: Chris Nekeman; Soo-Ja Schijf; Ester Damen
Testimonials
- Great partnership, always ready to assist, exceptionally professional and very accessible, with multicultural expertise. Very appropriate communication, critical thinking and ownership of the matter.’
- ‘Kennedy suit our company very well as they are used to working with big clients. They are professional, while keeping a practical, down-to-earth approach.’
- ‘We work mostly with Soo-ja Schijf. She is used to working for big international companies and helped us a lot in some complex legal matters.’
- ‘Very responsive, and clear and concise in their advice to cut through some of the more complex aspects of Dutch labour law.’
- ‘Ester Damen is calm and assured, with good commercial sense underpinned by strong technical skills.’
- ‘Good quality. Down-to-earth approach. Practical and quick advice that will help you to proceed.’
- ‘Chris Nekeman is a great sparring partner.’
- ‘Ester Damen is a true business partner to the client’s company and I have great trust in her abilities and intentions for our company. I trust her implicitly.’
Chambers Europe 2023 - Employment: Ranked
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 financial services. The firm has a distinguished reputation for its work advising employers on employee participation issues, workforce reorganisations and post-transactional harmonisation. It also represents clients in employment litigation, including in cases relating to diversity and inclusion issues.
Strengths
"They are very, very responsive and have a client-friendly approach."
"They always provide practical solutions and advice."
Notable practitioners
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 transfer of undertaking procedures. "He's an impressive legal adviser."
Up-and-coming partner Soo-ja Schijf has a broad international client base that includes major names from sectors as diverse as financial services and medical technology. Her experience encompasses matters relating to non-compete clauses and instances of sexual harassment. "She is a person who knows how to combine commercial skills with technical skills."
The Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - Employment - Ranked
Kennedy Van der Laan’s employment offering is ‘very professional and down to earth’ and handles a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Soo-Ja Schijf has a track record of work for international clients concerning collective redundancies and outsourcing; Chris Nekeman is experienced in negotiations with trade unions and is no stranger to litigation; and Ester Damen is recommended for data protection-related employment work.
Practice head(s): Soo-Ja Schijf; Chris Nekeman; Ester Damen
Other key lawyers: Eylard van Fenema
Testimonials
- ‘The team is well attuned to each other and knows the client well’.
- ‘In terms of substantive knowledge, the team keeps each other sharp’.
- ‘Chris Nekeman is able to provide clear and practically applicable advice’
Chambers Europe 2022 - Employment - Ranked
What the team is known for
Kennedy Van der Laan offers a distinguished employment team with a strong footprint in sectors such as transport, technology and financial services. The law firm has a distinguished reputation for advising both employers and works councils on employee participation, reorganisations and post-transactional harmonisation. It represents clients in employment litigation and also assists with diversity and inclusion issues. The team assists with individual and collective dismissals, as well as privacy matters.
Strengths
Clients say the team "really has a no-nonsense attitude and a way of communicating that comes down to the essence of questions."
"I really feel that the lawyers put a lot of effort into the client," says another client, who appreciates that the team "go out of the way to see if they can help us."
Notable practitioners
Clients praise Chris Nekeman for being "energetic and passionate," as well as being "approachable and a good listener." He advises companies on negotiations with works councils, as well as disputes with executive employees and post-M&A restructuring.