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 Employment & Pensions practice advises clients across the full breadth of employment law issues facing companies, such as reorganisations, remuneration issues, strategic HR matters, and collective labour agreements and associated issues. Our team of experienced litigators represents clients in employment disputes and also boasts extensive experience with Supreme Court cases. We also handle all the employment aspects of transactions, including employee participation, preparation of transaction documents and related reorganisations.

Our expertise in pensions

We help employers, pension funds, insurers and banks navigate all the legal complexities of the pension sector. We particularly focus on various pension-related disputes and represent our clients in legal proceedings, including before the district court and in arbitration proceedings. Our lawyers never lose sight of our clients' strategic interests.

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. 
  • “A client says that 'Houthoff offers excellent knowledge and pragmatic advice'.”
    Chambers Europe, Employment (2024 Edition)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "A client says: Houthoff offers excellent knowledge and strategic insight, as well as a broad range of expertise'." 
    Chambers Europe, Employment (2023 Edition)
  • "A client mentions: 'Houthoff offers professional and skilled lawyers for complex employment matters'."
    Chambers Europe, Employment (2023 Edition)
  • "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)
  • "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 client praises the team for being ‘the perfect combination of really top-tier lawyers and political sense’.”
    Chambers Europe, Employment (2022 Edition)
  • “Clients describe the team as ‘strong experts with a breadth of experience’ and appreciate that they ‘always have clear communication’ with the lawyers at Houthoff. ”
    Chambers Europe, Employment (2022 Edition)
  • First Tier firm
    Legal 500, Employment (2022 Edition)
  • “I found that the firm had impeccable reactivity.”
    Legal 500, Employment (2022 Edition)
  • “Different specialties that work well altogether to deliver the most suitable and practical answers.”
    Legal 500, Employment (2022 Edition)
  • “A client highlights the team’s ‘expertise and good interpersonal communication skills to accompany us in this complicated path.’”
    Chambers Europe, Employment (2021 Edition)
  • “Clients underline the team’s attentiveness, one characterising the lawyers as ‘fast and helpful.’”
    Chambers Europe, Employment (2021 Edition)
  • “When one person is not available, there is always a great colleague to step in.”
    Legal 500, Employment (2021 Edition)
  • “Hands-on and very knowledgeable.”
    Legal 500, Employment (2021 Edition)
  • “Very good knowledge and experience, very professional, good sense of humour too, and quick response to questions also outside office hours.”
    Legal 500, Employment (2021 Edition)

A multidisciplinary approach

The team works closely together with our experts from other practice areas, including litigation, corporate M&A, privacy and data protection, and tax. This multidisciplinary approach delivers well thought-out advice and pragmatic solutions. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
  • Highlighted Matters
    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.
  • Highlighted Matters
    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.
  • Highlighted Matters
    Advised European private equity firm CastikCapital on the acquisition of TBAuctions, a leading European online auction platform.
  • Highlighted Matters
    Advised and represented ESD-SIC B.V. in proceedings before the Dutch Supreme Court in connection with a dispute with a former employee.
  • Highlighted Matters
    Advised HqO, together with Goodwin Procter LLP, on the acquisition of Office App. Office App is a leading European tenant and employee engagement platform.
  • Highlighted Matters
    Houthoff, together with Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, advised Atlas Holdings LLC on the acquisition of the Permasteelisa Group from LIXIL Group Corporations (Japan).
  • Highlighted Matters
    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.
  • Highlighted Matters

    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.

  • Highlighted Matters
    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.
  • Highlighted Matters
    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.
  • Highlighted Matters
    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
  • Highlighted Matters
    Acted on behalf of Royal IHC in a major reorganisation of 800 employees.
  • Highlighted Matters
    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.
  • Highlighted Matters
    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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Key Contact

Amsterdam
Jet Stolk
Advocaat | Partner
+31206056549
+31651845347
Send e-mail

Key Contact

Amsterdam
Anouk Boutens
Advocaat | Partner
+31206056513
+31643549590
Send e-mail