ELLINT’s members are again ranked as leading Employment & Labor Law Firms & Lawyers by Chambers Europe 2019, the independent international guide to lawyers and law firms around the world. In their words:
BELGIUM
Sotra is ranked in Band 5 for employment law advice in Belgium.
What the team is known for: Developing team advising on collective dismissals, TUPE operations and GDPR compliance. Offers day-to-day HR advice and is noted for social plan negotiations. Also handles employment litigation, including individual terminations and cases concerning working time regulations. Acts for public and private clients, particularly within the food retail, insurance and healthcare sectors.
Strengths: Interviewees praise the team for being “proactive, responsive and always available.” Clients admire the flexibility of the lawyers, in addition to their “deep knowledge of the social legislation.”
Work highlights: Advised HeidelbergCement on the employment law components and TUPE transfer, stemming from its acquisition of a branch of Carmeuse.
Notable practitioners: Marian Dewaersegger often advises on TUPE operations and collective dismissals, impressing clients with her “strong advice and good relationship-building.”
Olivier Rijckaert handles GDPR compliance and post-acquisition HR advice, in addition to employment-related litigation. Sources praise the “very pragmatic and solutions-driven” practitionerfor “mixing legal knowledge with a business approach.”
DENMARK
Mette Klingsten is ranked in Band 2 of the leading labor lawyers in Denmark: “Mette Klingsten heads her own Copenhagen employment law boutique Mette Klingsten Law Firm. She has experience in a range of matters spanning the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements through to the litigation of discrimination cases.”
FINLAND
Minna Saarelainen of EMP Law is ranked in Band 3 of the leading Finnish employment lawyers. She is “highly regarded by clients for her “profound skills in employment law-related matters.” Interviewees also note she has “very good knowledge and experience.” She advises on a broad range of employment issues.”
ITALY
Lexellent is ranked in Band 4 for labor law advice in Italy by Chambers Europe.
What the team is known for: Assists clients with a variety of employment issues including health and safety, trade union negotiations and collective and individual dismissals. Also advises on related litigation. Represents national and multinational clients belonging to a range of industry sectors, with notable activity on behalf of those present in the life sciences industry.
Strengths: Sources underline the team’s “excellent knowledge, flexibility and ability to understand the real needs of the client.” Interviewees also highlight the provision of “clear advice.”
Work highlights:Acted for Vivisol on a review of the company’s employment agreements for doctors and nurses.
Notable practitioners: Giulietta Bergamaschi of Lexellent is endorsed for her “excellent technical skills.” She advises on the drafting of remuneration plans and negotiations with trade unions.
SPAIN
Abdon Pedrajas & Molero is ranked in Band 2 for employment law advice in Spain by Chambers Europe.
What the team is known for: Dedicated boutique active in collective conflicts, boardroom disputes and discrimination claims. Often advises on collective and individual dismissals and restructurings. Has a number of domestic and international clients from the manufacturing, telecommunications and banking industries. Assists with the employment aspects of transactions, representing a range of employers in negotiations with trade unions. Also handles issues in connection with outsourcing projects.
Strengths: Sources appreciate that the lawyers “get straight to the point and contribute clear conclusions to complex labour law problems.” Clients report that “the legal advice is well founded on expertise in employment law and recent cases,” and say that the lawyers are “extremely dedicated and well prepared, so you know you are in safe hands.”
Notable practitioners: Inés Molero Navarro advises clients on collective and individual hirings and dismissals. She is also highly regarded for her expertise in contentious employment matters. “She is a great litigator and her presentations to judges are clear,“ enthuse sources, who appreciate that “she gives us security with sensitive matters and gives us the comfort to take legal decisions on reasonable grounds.”
Iván López García de la Riva rises in the rankings after receiving praise for his litigation skills and critical role in the firm’s employment department. He specialises in collective claims related to outsourcing agreements and changes in employment terms.
Sonia Cortés is particularly well versed in advising clients on collective redundancies and contentious cases stemming from collective agreements. She also assists international clients with the employment aspects of setting up business operations in Spain. Sources appreciate that she “always provides well-balanced and sound advice.”