Arbeidsrecht

Kennedy Van der Laan's labour and employment team advises HR and in-house legal counsel on general advisory matters, litigation and negotiation processes with works councils and trade unions. Chris Nekeman handles employee co-governance and outsourcing matters. He co-heads the team with Soo-Ja Schijf, who handles cross-border issues such as restructuring and collective redundancy projects, TUPE projects and board member appointments and terminations. Eva Knipschild left for ReulingSchutte.

Practice head(s): Chris Nekeman; Soo-Ja Schijf
Other key lawyers: Ester Damen; Eylard van Fenema

• ‘Professionals with a heart’.
• ‘Chris Nekeman is always approachable, a good listener and advises with authority and the latest knowledge’.
• ‘Chris Nekeman is flexible and reachable, an excellent network and a good negotiator’.

Distinguished employment team with a strong footprint in sectors such as food and beverages, technology and financial services. Has a distinguished reputation for representing both employers and works councils in the area of employee participation, reorganisations and post-transactional harmonisation. Represents clients in employment litigation, including acting for whistle-blowers. Assists with individual and collective dismissals, as well as privacy matters.

Clients rate the firm for its tailor-made advice, one remarking that "the lawyers really want to understand you as a customer and your business to create better services and give better advice to you."

Another client declares that "its advice is accurate, always on time and very pragmatic."

Acted for Borr Drilling on a restructuring project that involved the collective dismissal of 150 onshore and offshore employees.

Chris Nekeman: "Very pragmatic and always focused on the relationship," according to one client. Contentious cases over employee benefits and restructurings form the bulk of his caseload. Market commentators home in on his collaborative style, one casting him as "pleasant to work with."

Kennedy Van der Laan's three-partner employment team provides the full range of employment law services for both national and international clients. Chris Nekeman focuses primarily on employee co-governance, union negotiations, and outsourcing mandates for Dutch companies. Eva Knipschild is high recommended for work involving flexible employment, and Soo-Ja Schijf is a key contact for international clients seeking advice on cross-border matters involving restructuring and TUPE. Employment-focused data protection specialist Ester Damen was appointed as an associate-partner of the firm in July 2019.

‘We like the fact Kennedy’s people are really down to earth. ‘

‘It is a great pleasure to work with Kennedy because of their expertise and flexibility.‘

Distinguished employment team with a strong footprint in sectors including chemicals, beverages, technology and financial services. Has a distinguished reputation for representing both employers and works councils in the area of employee participation. Advises on ongoing employment law issues arising for major global clients. Assists with individual and collective dismissals, as well as privacy matters.

One client endorses the firm's outstanding client service: "The lawyers are really interested in our company."

Clients emphasise that "the team's turnaround is really quick and the availability of lawyers is fantastic."

One client reports that Chris Nekeman "understands our business and is practical," also adding that he is "friendly, likeable, flexible and easily accessible." Nekeman primarily acts for employers on various contentious cases, including assisting with alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation procedures.

Eva Knipschild frequently assists employees and employers with numerous employment matters. She is adept at representing high-level executives in court, as well as preparing companies for legislative changes.

Kennedy Van der Laan is highly rated for the range of HR-related advice it can offer in addition to the handling of contentious cases, especially in the finance and tech sectors. Eva Knipschild, Chris Nekeman and Soo-Ja Schijf are the senior partners who oversee work for clients such as Unisys, VodafoneZiggo and Rabobank. It advises Microsoft on all its employment matters including co-governance issues relating to restructures and reorganisations.

Distinguished employment team with a strong footprint in sectors including consumer goods, technology and financial services. Has a distinguished reputation for its representation of both employers and works councils in the area of employee participation. Advises on ongoing employment law issues arising for major global clients. Assists with collective dismissals, the transfer of employees and privacy matters.

Sources say that the department "builds relationships and really invests in getting to know us as a client and how our business works," adding that their "personal approach" allows for "custom-made advice."

"They work with us as a team; they don't just give us advice, but rather we make a plan of attack together with the lawyers," says another interviewee, going on to note: "I know that the solutions they offer are really strong because they consider every option; I know they have taken everything into consideration."

Advised TSYS Managed Services on the restructuring of its Dutch workforce. The firm assisted with negotiations with the works council and the dismissal of employees.

Chris Nekeman maintains a particularly strong reputation with respect to co-determination rights. He is described by one client as a "really clever and practical" lawyer. Nekeman has a broad employment law practice that encompasses advisory and litigation mandates.

Eva Knipschild has a strong portfolio of global clients that includes leading fashion and retail companies. She regularly advises on reorganisation projects, dismissals and works council issues. Clients appreciate that she is "very efficient," while other market commentators note her skill in mediation.

Kennedy Van der Laan’s ‘very skilful, knowledgeable’ department is led jointly by Chris Nekeman and the ‘engaging’ Eva Knipschild, who is ‘reassuringly strong and clear’. Healthcare and technology are sector strengths of the team, which is also noted for its employee co-governance capabilities. Thijs Ridder is ‘a very helpful, effective’ senior associate; the ‘absolutely brilliant’ Soo-ja Schijf made associate partner in January 2017.

Has a distinguished national reputation for its representation of clients in the area of employee participation on behalf of both employers and works councils. Other areas of strength include privacy and governance matters. Boasts particular expertise in the technology, financial services and healthcare sectors.

One client praises the team's collaborative approach, saying: "They ensure knowledge and experience is shared so that the overall experience is at a very high level."

Another client highlights the consistent quality of the service, saying: "If they have to substitute in a colleague, you almost get a clone of the original lawyer you were working with, with the same approach, commitment and response times: the service is truly equal across the board."

Advised Rabobank on a large TUPE-related outsourcing project as well as several dismissal cases.

Assisted Syngenta with restructuring matters, including executive dismissal proceedings and works council negotiations.

Eva Knipschild acts on collective bargaining agreements and works council matters for international clients including Nike and CGI. She is also recognised as a successful mediator. Clients praise her down-to-earth attitude and her ability to "get directly to the bottom of the case and understand and solve problems very quickly."

Chris Nekeman is highlighted by commentators for his expertise in co-determination and described as a lawyer who "knows everything about trade unions and works councils." Clients also appreciate his "practical approach." He handles all employment matters for Microsoft in the Netherlands, including day-to-day HR issues and restructuring matters.