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Anique Bitterlich-Straver

Partner

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Languages: Dutch, German, English

Anique heads the Dutch (Amsterdam and Rotterdam) employment team together with Marieke Koster.

Anique is praised for her employment law expertise, practical advice to clients and her responsiveness. Anique is particularly experienced in advising clients in large reorganisations and restructurings, as well as transactions, including collective dismissals and often complicated consultation processes with works councils and trade unions. Anique is regularly instructed on high-profile contentious matters. Anique advises on individual dismissal cases, also for managing directors, including litigation. She is also experienced in complicated and sensitive mediation processes. She regularly gives training on Dutch Employment Law to HRM professionals, managers and legal counsels at both domestic as well as international fora. Anique maintains long lasting client relationships with large multinational companies and provides advice at a high strategic level.
Anique leads the firm’s Diversity & Inclusive program in the Netherlands and is a valued member of the firm’s international Inclusion Council.

Publications:

  • Handhaving wet minimumloon en het werkgeversbegrip, Tijdschrift Arbeidsrechtpraktijk (September 2012) (an article in professional literature on Dutch statutory minimum wage and the definition of an “employer” under the relevant legislation in that respect)

 

  • De motivering van het concurrentiebeding in arbeidsovereenkomsten voor bepaalde tijd: hoe moet de werkgever dit vormgeven?, Tijdschrift Arbeidsrechtpraktijk (February 2015) (an article in professional literature on the mandatory motivation of non-compete and business relations clauses in fixed term employment contracts)

Memberships:

Anique is a member of the Dutch Employment Lawyers Association (VAAN), and the Rotterdam Employment Lawyers Association (VRAA).

Recent experience:

  • Acting as a trusted advisor for many years for a major global technology company, being their primary legal contact for all their employment and pensions matters in the Netherlands. This includes being involved in the growth strategy for each of their business lines and markets in the Netherlands and all employment and pensions questions and processes that are related thereto and/or follow therefrom.
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  • Advising several US based internationals on the sale and transfer of an important part of their business, which first has to be demerged from their remaining business. These transactions (often) included complicated negotiations with the Dutch works council of such clients.

 

  • Advising, from start to finish, on the closure of a large production facility in the Netherlands from a US based international, including close involvement in the works council consultation process, negotiations with the trade unions and the collective dismissal of nearly 100 employees.

 

  • Advising and assisting national and international clients with regard to the dismissal of managing directors in the Netherlands.

Client Recommendations:

  • Client testimonial in Legal500 2023: “Anique ensured through her excellent international collaboration, her personal care for and dedication to the client, and her profound expertise and insights that we were able to close a complex transaction at record-breaking speed. Due to her ability to set and voice key priorities on point with the right people internationally, senior leadership within our business was able to communicate globally while respecting local consultation needs.”

 

  • Client testimonial in Legal500 2023: “Anique Bitterlich stands out for her professional attitude, work ethic and product delivery.

 

  • HR Business Partner at a multinational company: "I’ve been working with Anique Bitterlich at Eversheds Sutherland for over 4 years and throughout being able to count on her expertise was invaluable. What I appreciate the most is that it does not feel as external support, but really as a trusted business partner that knows our business inside out. In addition she always takes the time to understand the situation, our challenges and makes sure to help us find the best solutions and achieve best outcomes for the business and employees."

 

  • Dutch management of a multinational company: "With respect to the closure of one of our Dutch locations we worked closely together with Anique Bitterlich. Anique has supported us during the process in a very professional and adequate manner. She advised on a national and international (parent company) level about the steps to be taken, the consultation process with the Works Council, the Social Plan with the trade unions and the individual consequences for the employees. Anique was in all fields very competent and [eds. well focused on] the contents. She was well able to empathize with our organization and came up with client oriented solutions. This made it possible for us to complete the closure process in a professional and harmonious way with respect for all parties.".
Anique Bitterlich-Straver

Partner

Anique Bitterlich-Straver

Partner

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