Are you looking for legal assistance with employment law issues? If so, you’re bound to come across the terms “employment law attorney” and “employment law specialist.” But what exactly is the difference between the two? This blog post discusses the key differences between an employment law attorney and an employment law specialist.
What Is an Employment Law Attorney?
An employment law attorney is a lawyer who specializes in employment law matters. An attorney must have completed a university degree in law and must be registered with the Netherlands Bar Association. An employment law attorney therefore possesses broad legal knowledge. A lawyer specializing in employment law registers “Employment Law” as their primary practice area in the Dutch Bar Association’s practice area registry. This registration requires the lawyer to earn ten continuing legal education credits each calendar year in each registered primary practice area, in accordance with the standards of the Dutch Bar Association. An employment law attorney therefore remains constantly informed about the latest developments in their field of law.
Attorneys are authorized to represent clients in proceedings before district courts and courts of appeals, while legal assistants may only represent clients in proceedings before the small claims court. This means that an attorney can not only provide legal advice to a client but also conduct proceedings before a district court or court of appeals. In the event of a dispute, a lawyer can initiate legal proceedings to defend their client’s rights.
It is also important to note that lawyers are subject to strict professional rules, which ensure that clients are guaranteed quality and integrity. For example, it is important to know that lawyers are bound by professional confidentiality, whereas this does not apply to employment law attorneys. A lawyer may not share confidential information with third parties unless the client has given explicit consent. Labor law specialists do not have this obligation. This is an important factor to consider when choosing between a labor law attorney and a labor law specialist.
Another important difference between a lawyer and a legal professional lies in the security you have as a client in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. Every lawyer in the Netherlands is legally required to carry professional liability insurance. This means that any damages resulting from a mistake made by the lawyer are covered and can therefore be compensated. This obligation does not apply to legal consultants. Many legal consultants work without professional liability insurance, which means there is a risk that you, as a client, will be left to bear the damages if a mistake is made.
What is an Employment Law Attorney?
“Jurist” is not a protected title. Therefore, anyone may call themselves a jurist. An employment law jurist specializes in employment law but is not registered as an attorney with the Bar Association. This could be, for example, an in-house counsel or a legal assistant. An employment law specialist may act as a representative before the small claims court, but may not independently litigate in district court or before the court of appeals. There are no statutory quality requirements for legal specialists, unlike those that apply to attorneys.
The difference at a glance
| Employment Law Attorney | Labor Law Attorney | |
|---|---|---|
| Protected title | ✔ Yes | ✘ No, anyone can call themselves a lawyer |
| University Law Program | ✔ Required | Variable |
| Vocational Training and Mandatory Annual Continuing Education | ✔ Yes | ✘ No legal requirements |
| Litigation in Small Claims Court | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes, as an authorized representative |
| Litigation in District Court and Court of Appeals | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
| Disciplinary Law and Oversight | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
| Legal Duty of Confidentiality | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
| Mandatory Professional Liability Insurance | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
| Costs | Often similar; fixed prices are possible | Sometimes a slightly lower hourly rate |
STILL NOT SURE?
Schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer
In 20 minutes, you’ll find out where you stand, what we can do for you, and what it will cost. And it’s good to know: employers are aware that our lawyers also handle litigation. That alone puts you in a stronger negotiating position, and that almost always leads to a better outcome. The costs? They’re often comparable to those of a legal advisor, and in 95% of cases, your employer will pay when a settlement agreement is reached.
Can a lawyer litigate?
Partly. In the subdistrict court, where labor cases are heard in the first instance, a legal professional may act as a representative. But that’s where it ends: in district court and on appeal to the court of appeals, representation by a lawyer is required by law. If you lose a case in the subdistrict court and want to appeal, you’ll still have to hire a lawyer. That lawyer will then step in midway through a case they didn’t build themselves, and that rarely works in your favor. On top of that, some legal service providers deliberately avoid litigation. Anyone on the other side of the table who knows that your advisor will never go to court has little to fear in negotiations. A lawyer who has a proven track record of actually going to court, on the other hand, puts pressure on you—even if it never comes to a trial.
How much does an employment lawyer cost compared to a general lawyer?
The main reason for considering a legal professional is the expectation that they will be less expensive. In practice, however, this is not the case. Specialized legal professionals often charge hourly rates comparable to those of a specialized law firm, while lacking the legal safeguards. With us, you also know exactly where you stand from the start: whenever possible, we work with fixed prices, for example, for reviewing a settlement agreement. And in many cases, you pay little to nothing yourself: in 95% of cases involving a settlement agreement, your employer reimburses the legal costs; through your legal expense insurance, you have free choice of attorney in legal proceedings; and those who qualify can turn to us for subsidized legal aid. This means that, in most situations, the cost argument against hiring a lawyer completely disappears.
And look beyond the fee alone: what your legal assistance ultimately costs you is determined primarily by the outcome. The employer on the other side of the table knows exactly whether your attorney can and will take the case all the way to court. When faced with a lawyer who has a proven track record of litigating, the employer is often more willing to compromise: a higher settlement, a more favorable end date, or the removal of a non-compete clause. That difference in bargaining power usually yields more than any savings from a potentially lower hourly rate.
When do you need an employment law attorney or employment law specialist?
There are various situations in which an employee or employer might wish to seek legal advice regarding employment law. Consider, for example, a situation in which an employee is terminated. In that case, the employee can seek legal advice to determine whether the termination is legally valid and whether they are entitled to severance pay. Or, if an employee is unsure whether their terms of employment comply with statutory regulations or the collective bargaining agreement, they can seek legal advice to understand their rights and obligations. An employer who wishes to terminate an employee’s employment may seek legal advice to determine whether the termination is legally valid and to limit the risks of potential legal action by the employee. Employers can also engage an employment lawyer to assist with reorganizations or to draft employment agreements and other contracts and policies for their staff.
Conclusion
The main difference between an employment law attorney and an employment law legal professional is that attorneys are subject to statutory quality requirements, whereas legal professionals are not. In addition, only attorneys are authorized to represent clients in court and before the court of appeals. Furthermore, attorneys are subject to strict professional rules, which provide clients with safeguards against errors (through professional liability insurance), confidentiality, and integrity. It is important to determine which type of legal support best suits your situation and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a lawyer litigate?
Before the subdistrict court, yes—as a representative. Before the district court and on appeal to the court of appeals, a lawyer is required by law. Anyone who starts with a legal advisor and has to appeal will therefore still need to rely on a lawyer who did not build the case file themselves.
Is a lawyer more expensive than a legal assistant?
Often not. Specialized legal professionals charge fees comparable to those of a specialized law firm. Furthermore, we work with fixed prices whenever possible; in 95% of cases involving a settlement agreement, your employer covers the costs; and in the event of litigation, legal expenses insurance allows you to choose your own attorney.
When is a lawyer sufficient?
For simple questions that don’t involve litigation risk—such as a general question about your contract—a good legal advisor can be a great help. As soon as something is at stake (termination, a settlement agreement, a conflict that could escalate), you should opt for the safeguards and litigation experience that a lawyer provides. That’s precisely when it matters that the other side knows you’re prepared to take decisive action.
This blog was written by Stijn Blom, Esq., an employment law attorney at Arbeidsadvocaat.nl B.V. Stijn has extensive experience in employment law and assists business owners on a daily basis with a wide range of employment law issues. From dismissal cases to drafting watertight agreements and policies—with his practical and personalized approach, he helps employers and employees move forward. Want to learn more? Visit Stijn’s page.
If you need assistance from an attorney specializing in employment law, Arbeidsadvocaat.nl will, of course, be happy to assist you. Please feel free to contact us .
August 2026