
Employment & Pensions
Employment and pensions are dynamic areas of law where changes follow one another in quick succession on the back of case law, legislation and regulations. Social and economic developments and the rise of new technologies constantly impact companies' employment law issues.
On 1 July 2023, the Future of Pensions Act (Wet toekomst pensioenen) entered into force, marking the largest pension overhaul in decades. Pension providers and employers must switch to the new pension system before 1 January 2028. During the debate on the draft bill, the Council for the Judiciary (Raad voor de Rechtspraak) and the Council of State (Raad van State) warned that this reform could trigger an increase in civil court cases. Pension providers and employers would do well to prepare for the transition at an early stage.
We help companies minimise legal risks, optimise policies and efficiently solve disputes.
Our expertise in employment law
Our expertise in pensions
Complex mergers, winding-ups, group transfer payments, buyouts and portfolio transfers in the pension sector require a thorough understanding of the sector and in-depth knowledge of the legal aspects of restructurings, pension law, collective employment law and financial law. We assist clients with these intricate transactions.
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"Houthoff possesses a robust and knowledgeable team capable of addressing all queries and matters we encounter, demonstrating expertise and efficiency in its work."Chambers Europe, Employment (2025 Edition)
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"Houthoff distinguishes itself with its expertise and excellent service. The team advises us on complicated labour cases with excellent results."Chambers Europe, Employment (2025 Edition)
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RecommendedChambers Europe, Employment (2025 Edition)
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“A client says that 'Houthoff offers excellent knowledge and pragmatic advice'.”Chambers Europe, Employment (2024 Edition)
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"A client mentioned that: ‘The lawyers within Houthoff’s employment law team are very qualified. They provide excellent advice and are for us a true sparring partner on employment law and works council issues’."Legal 500, Employment (2024 Edition)
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"A client mentioned that: ‘The lawyers within Houthoff’s employment law team are very qualified. They provide excellent advice and are for us a true sparring partner on employment law and works council issues’."Legal 500, Employment (2024 Edition)
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"A client says: Houthoff offers excellent knowledge and strategic insight, as well as a broad range of expertise'."Chambers Europe, Employment (2023 Edition)
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"A client mentions: 'Houthoff offers professional and skilled lawyers for complex employment matters'."Chambers Europe, Employment (2023 Edition)
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"A client mentioned: ‘The team is very knowledgeable and consists of people with different expertise (e.g. in litigation, reorganisations, dealing with disgruntled employees, etc.). Compared to other firms the expertise and client focus stands out'."Legal 500, Employment (2023 Edition)
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"One client said this team has: 'Great knowledge. Practical, to-the-point solutions, not lengthy advice. Business understanding. A stable team without too many changes'."Legal 500, Employment (2023 Edition)
A multidisciplinary approach
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Advised Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance Nederland on the carve-out of Findio (a provider of car finance products) out of the CACF Nederland group and the sale of Findio to FCA Bank.
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Advised Lumileds, a global leader in innovative lighting solutions, in its comprehensive financial restructuring. Lumileds emerged from a Chapter 11, resulting in a leadership transition and a funded debt reduction of approximately USD 1.4 billion.
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Advised European private equity firm CastikCapital on the acquisition of TBAuctions, a leading European online auction platform.
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Advised and represented ESD-SIC B.V. in proceedings before the Dutch Supreme Court in connection with a dispute with a former employee.
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Advised HqO, together with Goodwin Procter LLP, on the acquisition of Office App. Office App is a leading European tenant and employee engagement platform.
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Houthoff, together with Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, advised Atlas Holdings LLC on the acquisition of the Permasteelisa Group from LIXIL Group Corporations (Japan).
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Advised together with Renzenbrink & Partner, the svt Group, a leading supplier of passive fire protection products and systems with the acquisition of Flamepro. The svt Group is an Ergon Capital portfolio company.
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Houthoff advised Poiesz Supermarkten B.V., a chain of supermarkets in the Northern Netherlands, on the acquisition of Zorggroep Friesland B.V., sole shareholder of Van Smaak B.V.. Van Smaak B.V. delivers meals to healthcare institutions and individual customers and has the whole relating process (including the purchase of the raw materials, processing and logistics) in house.
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Houthoff advised Stichting Pensioenfonds Campina, a Dutch pension fund, on the renewal of its contractual relationship with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., RREEF America L.L.C. (both subsidiaries of Deutsche Bank AG) and Goldman Sachs Asset Management International. This work included the preparation and negotiation of a complex Dutch law asset management agreement based on the pension fund's own template.
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V&D was a landmark brand of high street located department stores (63 stores) in the Netherlands and was founded in 1887. Houthoff advised the company in a wide array of matters, including the restructuring of its debt, and representing the company in several high profile litigation matters related to real estate and labour law.
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Houthoff advised BGI Genomics Co., Ltd. on all Dutch-law aspects in connection with its successful IPO at the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. BGI is a leading gene sequencing firm, offering a wide portfolio of genetic testing products across major diseases, enabling medical providers and patients worldwide to realise the promise of genomics-based diagnostics and personalised healthcare.
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Houthoff advised Stichting Bedrijfspensioenfonds voor het Bakkersbedrijf (Bpf Bakkers), a Dutch pension fund managing assets of approximately EUR 3.5 billion, on the appointment of NN Investment Partners as their new integrated fiduciary asset manager. This transaction involved the preparation and negotiations of a fiduciary management agreement under Dutch law based on Bpf Bakker's own template.
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Acted on behalf of several CEO’s of listed companies pertaining to their dismissal and acted on behalf of various listed and non listed companies with regard to high profile dismissal cases of boardmembers
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Acted on behalf of Royal IHC in a major reorganisation of 800 employees.
Publications
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11-November-2024
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02-October-2024
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01-August-2024
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30-June-2024
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07-March-2024
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19-February-2024
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21-September-2023
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18-May-2023
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02-May-2023
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14-April-2023
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08-February-2023
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07-December-2022
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08-February-2022
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27-January-2022
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10-January-2022
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01-October-2021
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21-May-2021
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20-April-2021
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01-December-2020
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03-September-2020