Stijn Demeestere

Who I Am

I’m a lawyer with a heart for people and a head for business. As Head of Deloitte Legal’s People Law team and Talent Partner, I combine legal expertise in employment and social law with a deep commitment to developing people and culture. I advise clients on workforce challenges, help shape the future of legal talent and believe that great businesses are built by empowered people. I am active at our Zaventem office.

What I do

• Advise clients on the full spectrum of employment law, with a focus on strategic and often sensitive issues such as dismissal law (individual and collective), HR matters for top executives, flexible working conditions, salary structuring, cross-border reorganisations, and outsourcing.
• Act in contentious matters including employee protection disputes, harassment cases, high-level dismissals, white-collar crime, and employment-related litigation.
• Support companies during strikes, collective negotiations, and reputational risk management.

Who I work with

• HR directors
• General counsel at large and mid-sized companies

My approach

I combine deep legal expertise with a pragmatic, people-first mindset. I look for common ground when possible, aiming to resolve disputes efficiently and amicably. At the same time, I am a firm and eloquent advocate when litigation or strategic negotiation is required. My style is direct, strategic, and always focused on the long-term interests of the organisation and its people.

Credentials and leadership

• Authored several books on protected employees and anti-discrimination, contribute articles on topics including dismissal law, outplacement, and the bridge pension. 
• Frequent speaker at HR fora, former columnist for Jobat, and regularly featured in De Tijd.
• Talent Partner involved in shaping our internal people strategy and nurturing the next generation of legal talent.
• Recognised by Chambers and Legal 500

Why Deloitte Legal

People issues don’t sit in a silo. At Deloitte Legal, I’m able to connect employment law advice with broader insights on tax, reward, risk, reputation, and restructuring. Our multidisciplinary approach means I can help clients align their people strategy with their business objectives—especially in complex, high-impact scenarios such as reorganisations, executive transitions, or crisis situations.