ELLINT members recognised as leading labor law firms in EMEA by the Legal 500

ELLINT’s members confirm their strong positions as leading Employment & Labor Law Firms & Lawyers with several rankings and fantastic clients’ quotes in the Legal 500 EMEA guide for 2021

Belgium

The firm is ranked in Tier 3. Sotra‘s department, which is led by the ‘highly charismatic‘ Olivier Rijckaert, provides ‘useful and pragmatic advice‘ to government entities and companies from sectors such as construction, technology and retail. In one highlight, the team assisted iKanbi Belgium with all the employment aspects of its takeover of Harvest Communications. Notable individuals in the group include Marian Dewaersegger(‘highly approachable and available‘), Noël Lambert, Jonathan de Wilde (‘a top-notch expert in his field‘) and ‘very conscientious‘ senior associate Karel Devloo.

Testimonials

‘They are absolute professionals who are quick to react to their client’s needs. They are thorough in their responses, proactive when they detect a potential issue you may have not thought about, and very personable. Empathetic, non-judgmental, and always available‘.

‘Marian Dewaersegger deserves special accolades for her empathy and eagerness to help’.

‘Karel Devloo provides prudent advice. He leaves no stone unturned. His work is thorough and accurate‘

Denmark

Mette Klingsten of Mette Klingsten Law Firm is ranked as a Leading Individual practitioner in Denmark. 

France

Boutique firm MGG Voltaire which assists French and international clients with the full range of expertise gets a Tier 3 rankings. It was recently in high demand for setting up companies’ social economic committees and for Covid-19 pandemic-related issues, such as the implementation of health and safety measures, employees’ furlough schemes, access to governmental wage support funds and reorganisation projects. The practice also has strong know-how in negotiating collective agreements and dealing with mass downsizing projects. It recently managed several high-profile restructuring projects in the retail sector. The firm, which has offices in Paris, Lyon and Lille, is co-headed by the seasoned Marijke Granier-Guillemarre, Loïc Héron and David Guillouet.

Testimonials

‘MGG Voltaire provides access to responsive, technically excellent senior lawyers at rates which are significantly lower than those in big name firms. Of pre-eminent importance is that the advice we receive is practical and clear, and delivered in excellent English.’

‘Marijke Granier-Guillemarre is a clear leader in her field. She is incisive, clear, empathetic, responsive and technically excellent.’ 

‘Associate Paul Romatet is very responsive, with a style that is friendly and practical. He has become a valued business partner.’

Germany

The German member gets a Tier 5 ranking. With offices in Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, Altenburg Fachanwälte für Arbeitsrecht provides wide-ranging employment law advice to national and international clients. Its service portfolio ranges from data protection and compliance to reorganisations and restructurings all the way to litigation. Munich-based Stephan Altenburg is the key contact.

Italy

Lexellent‘s team ranked in Tier 4 is noted for its expertise in a wide variety of employment law issues, with a particular focus on occupational safety and equal opportunities. The firm has a department entirely dedicated to health and safety, which is led by Francesco Bacchini. On the equal opportunities front, the group provides clients with training courses and updates on legislation, and it helps them draft policies that enhance diversity. Practice head Giulietta Bergamaschi focuses on strategic HR management, trade union negotiations and discrimination.

Luxembourg

Praised for its ‘client-focused approach and business mindset‘, the Tier 2 employment boutique Adam & Bleser has ‘a very strong reputation‘ representing employees across a range of disputes. Founding partner Romain Adam has been pivotal to the firm’s success in the area and has ‘a sharp expertise in defending employees in settlement negotiations or litigation cases’. Adam gets ranked as Leading Individual while other notable practitioners include Claude Bleser, Dominique Farys, Stéphanie Anen, Julien Konsbruck,Melvin Roth, Melanie Hubsch and Anna Ratajewicz.

Testimonials

‘It is a very professional team with a perfect knowledge of Luxembourgish law.’

‘Having made the defence of employees their core business, the team enjoys a strong reputation in the field of employment law.’

‘They have a highly regarded negotiation-focused approach, but are also fantastic litigators when it comes to legal proceedings before the courts.

Poland

Boutique employment practice Zawirska Ruszczyk Gąsior radcowie prawni i adwokaci sp. p. ranked in Tier 2 fields a team led by Patrycja Zawirska and Krzysztof Gąsior ranked as Leading Individuals and Grzegorz Ruszczyk. Representing major clients such as The Walt Disney Company, Epson, Elsevier and QVC, it handles substantive reorganisation and restructuring processes, helps manage relations with employee representatives and assists employers with working time matters. Notably, the offering has a strong reputation for its expertise in sensitive disputes such as work accidents, discrimination, mobbing and breaches of trade secrets.

Testimonials

‘The firm is extremely collaborative, and provides extremely detailed, practical, and timely advice every single time. I have worked with law firms of all sizes all around the world and no law firm has come close to this one when it comes to timeliness and practicality of advice.’

‘I would like to name Patrycja Zawirska and Krzysztof Gąsior as great individuals to work with: – professional – competent – profound knowledge – very responsive – intercultural competence – trustful partners’

‘Zawirska Ruszczyk Gasior is the law firm that provides very solid and client-oriented advice as regards employment matters. They are concentrated on solving the client’s problem, with a very personal approach, solid knowledge and experience.’