Norton Rose names Maartje new employment and labor global head

Norton Rose names Maartje new employment and labor global head

Amsterdam –based Maartje Govaert succeeds Toronto-based Richard Charney, who is stepping down after more than a decade in the role

World's Top 10 law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has named seasoned Amsterdam-based lawyer Maartje Govaert as its new Global Head of Employment and Labour.

Maartje is currently the firm's Head of Employment and Labor in Europe, Middle East and Asia. She will succeed Toronto-based Richard Charney, who is stepping down from the role after more than 10 formative years as Global Head of Employment and Labor.

According to Norton Rose Fulbright's Global Chief Executive Gerry Pecht, Maartje's appointment will take effect on 22 June 2021.

Maarrtje has widespread experience of advising on international employment and labor matters, including in the context of cross-border acquisitions as well as ESG (related to restructurings, reorganizations and outsourcing projects), where she has a proven track record of negotiating with works councils and trade unions on employee benefit plans.

In her new role, she will lead the firm's global employment and labor group of more than 300 lawyers worldwide. As an employment and certified pensions lawyer, Maartje regularly advises boards on corporate governance and remuneration issues (including pensions), executive appointments and terminations. She has particular experience of advising on highly sensitive employment matters, including internal investigations (including whistleblowing), harassment and discrimination, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, and GDPR. She often litigates landmark high-profile cases.

"Maartje is a leader in employment law and a leader of people, so I am confident that she will be of great value to clients and colleagues in this role. Amsterdam is a European hub for many multinationals, which has allowed Maartje to gain a wealth of international employment and labor law experience that makes her perfectly suited to lead our global group," Gerry Pecht said.

Maartje advises multinationals across a range of industries, including consumer markets, life sciences, technology (including the platform economy), energy and financial institutions.

"Due in part to the pandemic, the global workplace is undergoing rapid transformation, with many jurisdictions facing common employment and labor challenges. I look forward to sharing my experience of advising clients on international employment and labor matters with my colleagues globally," Maartje Govaert said.

Maartje is a highly-rated practitioner in Chambers Europe. She is an Advocaat and qualified in the Netherlands, a member of the Dutch Association of Employment Lawyers, the European Employment Lawyers Association, the Association of Pension Lawyers and the Association of Corporate Litigation.

Norton Rose Fulbright has made several new appointments in a series of global practice heads. The firm had appointed Ayse Yuksel Mahfoud as Global Head of Corporate, M&A and Securities and Nick Grandage as Global head of Banking and Finance in April this year.