M. (Monique) C.J.M. de Letter, LL M:
"I've found my vocation in an enterprising firm"
"I recently had a case that engaged my attention in various ways. My client, aged 55, had worked at a health organisation for over twenty years with enthusiasm and energy. To her surprise, her employer suddenly decided that her performance was no longer satisfactory. Her employer began to take steps to terminate her contract and was not prepared to pay her reasonable severance pay. My client refused to accept this. When the employer submitted a termination request to the sub-district court, I put up a strong
defence on behalf of this employee. I'm pleased to say that we won. We were able to convince the sub-district court that the employer had not done enough to try to raise my client's performance to the desired level. Thanks to this judgment my client kept her job. This judgment even made it into a professional journal (see here) and the national newspapers!
This case combined the various reasons why I studied law. I wanted to assist people who don't have the power and knowledge to solve certain problems by themselves. I didn't intend to become an attorney when I planned this: I always associated attorneys with criminal law. The university friends I'm still in touch with have all gone into criminal law. They love it, but when I hear their stories I have no doubt that this is the right choice for me.
In preparing for this and my other cases I always benefit from all the experience within the firm. Martijn, for example, was a deputy judge for a time, so he knows better than anyone the best way to present a case. Not to mention that everyone has their own specialist areas, so there's always someone for me to bounce ideas around with. That means I learn quickly; I can see myself developing. Family law makes up a small part of my work. The majority of my days are filled with corporate law and employment law. I enjoyed those subjects even at university so that works out well.
I hope to be here for some time yet. The firm is lively, enterprising. Since the start it's just kept growing. It's exciting to be a part of it. In the future I expect that I will specialise more in a few specific areas. Corporate law and employment law combined cover a vast area. As I study further and gain more experience I'll explore that area and find my favourite parts of it. I'm looking forward to it already."
Monique de Letter has been sworn-in and is registered as a Dutch lawyer. She also conducts funded legal aid work. In addition to employment law and corporate law her practice includes: debt recovery, landlord and tenant law and divorce.
