‘The market leader in Belgium for corporate employment legal support’, specialist firm Claeys & Engels runs the gamut of work concerning human resources, including tax, data protection, and immigration. Its expertise regarding pensions is a particular standout, along with its longstanding experience in dismissals. Clients range from international and domestic corporates in the finance, insurance, food, and transport industries to an increasing number of public sector bodies. Collective dismissals are a particular area of expertise for Chris Engels, who also regularly represents clients in collective bargaining agreement negotiations, while Olivier Wouters supports clients through the strategic internal communications aspects of M&A and change processes, with notable experience in the gig economy. Sophie Maes and Inger Verhelst are also recommended.

Praised for its ‘abstract and theoretical capabilities in combination with practical and pragmatic solution finding’, the employment and compensation team at A&O Shearman regularly advises clients on compliance in highly-regulated environments. It takes on a range of complex HR transactions, including leadership changes, management reorganisations, collective dismissals, and employee transfers, as well as assisting clients in both internal and external investigations, and litigation before national and international courts and tribunals. Practice head Christian Bayart ‘understands the question behind the question’, with particular expertise regarding executive employment and compensation. Employee benefits and incentives are a key part of Inge Vanderreken‘s practice, and Virginie Vercheval is also recommended.

The ‘flexible, efficient, solution-oriented, and business-minded lawyers’ in ALTIUS‘ employment team handle a wide range of complex matters, with noteworthy expertise in cross-border work, workforce restructuring, collective bargaining, and migration law. The team’s experience in the sports and entertainment industry is particularly strong, often handling image rights deals. For multijurisdictional matters, practice head Philippe De Wulf is ‘invaluable’: regularly advising international clients in the Belgian market. Collective dismissals and employment litigation are areas of expertise for Sven Demeulemeester, whereas Emma Van Caenegem, who was made partner in September 2024, has notable experience in international labour and social security matters, and flexible employment set-ups.

The employment and pensions team at CMS ‘possesses an impressive depth of knowledge in employment legislation’, with the group’s expertise spanning social security, incentives, and pensions law. The department is experienced in cross-border matters and is frequently sought out by international corporates in the technology, retail, aviation, energy, transport, and pharmaceuticals sectors. In the pensions law space, it often acts for both domestic and pan-European funds – Elke Duden heads up this team. Gaël Chuffart, practice head, is noted for his ‘deep knowledge of international practices’ and experience in collective labour relations. Sophie Berg often assists international groups in establishing their operations in Belgium.

DLA Piper fields an employment team which is lauded for ‘the commerciality of their advice’, with notable strength in matters regarding corporate investigations and contingent workforce. The team has wide-ranging sector expertise, with particular experience in the logistics, life sciences, and financial services segments. Eddy Lievens and Laurent De Surgeloose co-head the team, Lievens is highlighted for his work in restructurings and corporate integration, along with the implementation of whistleblowing policies, while De Surgeloose regularly handles sensitive corporate investigations. Pierre Dion was promoted to partner in May 2024, ‘an exceptional lawyer’ primarily assisting clients with HR management matters.

Liedekerke‘s employment and benefits team ‘provides high value expertise’ across HR issues and is recommended for its experience advising on hirings and dismissals, collective labour law, benefits and compensation, and social security. It offers specific expertise in collective dismissals, trade union negotiations, and discrimination law, working closely with the firm’s corporate criminal law team. Paul Geerebaert, team head, regularly negotiates individual and collective labour agreements, while Vincent Busschaert is recommended for his ‘strategic thinking’ in advising on incentive plans and fringe benefits, while the ‘smart and practical’ Bruno Aguirre specialises in whistleblowing litigation.

The employment, pensions and benefits team at Loyens & Loeff provides ‘exceptional’ support to clients across the transport, pharma, and financial services sectors, with particular emphasis on the combination of legal and tax expertise. Its growing experience in transformation and alternative remuneration schemes is a particular stand-out element of the practice, which regularly handles high-profile dismissals, pensions matters, and whistleblowing policies. The team is co-led by Filip Saelens, Kris De Schutter, and Joris Beernaert: Saelens a particular go-to for the employment aspects of cross-border transactions, while De Schutter is recommended for his ‘efficient and pragmatic approach’ to restructuring and downsizing operations and Beernaert frequently advises pension providers.

Characterised by ‘a compelling blend of local expertise and international perspective’, Lydian‘s employment, pensions and benefits team offers expertise to both global and domestic clients. Its deep bench includes experts in pensions, internal investigations, and health and safety. Department co-head Jan Hofkens is regularly sought after for his longstanding expertise regarding internal workplace investigations and disciplinary proceedings against employees, and Alexander Vandenbergen, co-heading the team alongside Hofkens, takes the lead on pensions and benefits matters. Collective labour law issues are an area of focus for Jurgen De Vreese, and Kato Aerts takes on sensitive, multi-national mandates. The team’s cross-departmental health practice is led by Eveline Ankaert.

Stibbe‘s employment law team has an ‘excellent practical and business oriented focus’, combining a comprehensive offering with particular niche expertise in supplementary pensions, sports law matters, social criminal law, and supporting clients in the public sector. Its litigation and arbitration offerings are also a standout element of the practice. Team co-head Elisabeth Matthys specialises in complex litigation matters, including those which involve social criminal law and in transfer of undertakings related matters, while co-head Jérôme Aubertin is recommended for his ‘sharp intellect’ and experience in company restructurings, including collective dismissals. For pensions law, specialist Jan Proesmans is the go-to.

The team of ‘experienced multilingual professionals’ in Van Olmen & Wynant‘s employment practice deliver ‘an outstanding expertise’, often supporting major international companies with their longstanding experience before labour tribunals and courts as well as specialised expertise in EU employment law and civil service law: the latter an area of expertise for Vincent Vuylsteke. Founding partner and team head Chris Van Olmen has notable experience of the employment issues arising out of restructuring and reorganisation, while Nicolas Simon has a focus on psychosocial risks, including harassment and violence. The team continues to grow in strength, adding to its rankings in October 2024 with Filip Van Beirendonck, formerly of Eubelius.

Lauded for its ‘extremely innovative and client-focused thinking’, the employment team at Clifford Chance specialises in strategic and business-critical matters for both domestic and international clients, often in highly regulated sectors. Its areas of expertise include large-scale restructurings and downsizings, industrial relations, and cross-border matters. Collective downsizings and outsourcing transactions are key elements of team head Gert Cuppens‘ practice, which also covers the hiring and dismissal of senior executives, pensions, and employee benefits.

Delivering a ‘no-nonsense approach’ with ‘immediately usable advice’, the Deloitte Legal people law team draws on its Deloitte network to support clients internationally, with experience across workforce transformation, flexible employment and rewards, international mobility, and social sustainability: the final a particular area of expertise for Stefanie Van de Perre. Clients praise team head Stijn Demeestere‘s ‘excellent knowledge’, which spans individual and collective dismissal, corporate restructuring, harmonisation of salary and working conditions, and social compliance. Former co-head Alexis Ceuterick departed the team in April 2024.

Eubelius‘ employment team is lauded for being ‘well-versed in the legal intricacies’ and ‘providing practical solutions’ to clients’ issues, with an emphasis on strategic legal HR advice and representation in settlements and litigation. Liesbet Vandenplas is ‘top of the league’, leveraging longstanding experience of the sector including experience in social security law, pensions, and discrimination matters to support high-profile clients. Sam De Voogt has experience handling supplementary pensions, along with individual and collective employment law, and Inger De Wilde has notable expertise regarding public sector employment.

Fieldfisher‘s HR law group is praised for its ‘pragmatic approach and expertise’, combining expertise in international employment, social security, and business migration. Its experience handling restructuring and reorganisation matters is particularly notable, as is its work regarding diversity, equality, and discrimination. Stefan Nerinckx heads the team and is highlighted for his ‘thorough knowledge’ of the market: from whistleblowing matters to cross-jurisdictional social security law. Anne Kamp and Tim Perdieus are also recommended.

Linklaters fields a team of specialists in its employment and incentives practice, often handling large scale litigation across dismissals, discrimination, whistleblowing, and termination disputes as well as restructurings and transactions. The firm’s ESG expertise extends to HR aspects of the green transition, and pay disparity matters. Jennifer Granado Aranzana is a particular go-to for such ESG-related queries. Nele Van Kerrebroeck was promoted to partner in May 2024, taking over as head of the team following Luc Vanaverbeke‘s retirement in June 2024: she ‘fills big shoes in a remarkable way’, often handling complex incentives matters for large-scale clients.

NautaDutilh‘s employment team finds ‘imaginative solutions’ to employment and pension issues related to complex, international M&A transactions and restructuring proceedings. It also regularly advises clients on harassment, discrimination, and employee privacy matters. Team head Philippe François focuses on corporate employment law issues, with notable experience supporting clients with the transfer of undertakings, while Thierry Duquesne has particular experience in corporate social law, including collective labour law, and the field of well-being at work.

The employment team at Osborne Clarke leverages the firm’s wider sector expertise to ‘tailor solutions’ to clients’ needs in the TMC, retail, and life sciences sectors. Its experience of technology matters stretches to digital transformation in HR, along with notable experience working with recruitment and staffing businesses. Thierry Viérin heads the team, advising both local and international clients with a specialism in workforce solutions. Vinciane Rysselinck is a key contact for immigration matters, and Bernd De Marrez regularly handles pensions matters.

Reliance | Littler, boutique labour and employment firm, ‘stands out due to its client-centered approach’, supporting private and public sector clients across legal human resources matters. It often advises clients on the employment elements of cross-border transactions, collective redundancy plans, and transfers of staff. The team is co-headed by Koen De Bisschop and Edward Carlier. De Bisschop is a particular go-to for immigration matters, and Carlier often advises clients in the staffing industry. Fabienne Raepsaet joined the team in October 2023 from Claeys & Engels.

‘A high-quality law firm specialised in social law’, Sotra runs the gamut of employment law, with expertise in international employment, social security law, public sector law and HR-related GDPR questions. It offers specialist expertise in restructurings, including transfers of undertakings, collective redundancies, and cross-border transactions. Olivier Rijckaert, team co-head, is developing the firm’s alternative conflict resolution offering, while co-head Marian Dewaersegger has specific knowledge of the logistics, aviation, and retail sectors.

Boutique firm Younity provides an all-round service in human resources law, with expertise in M&A support matters internationally alongside deep pension knowledge; its pensions experience extends to longstanding relationships with major insurance companies. Jean-Philippe Cordier co-heads the team, specialising in co-determination within large corporations and overall well-being in the workplace. Corinne Merla, co-head, is a key contact for occupational pensions, state pension plans, and individual insurance plans. For litigation, Brecht Cops is the go-to, recommended for his ‘very practical solutions’ to clients’ issues.

The ‘highly responsive, highly knowledgeable’ employment and pensions team at AKD provides both day-to-day support and targeted advice regarding the employment elements of restructurings, M&A, and financial regulation. Julien Hick, team head, is ‘a brilliant mind’ and a particular go-to for corporate employment matters, with specific experience in the financial services industry and data protection related matters. For pensions work, Heleen Franco is the go-to.

Bird & Bird‘s international HR services practice group works closely with colleagues from the firm’s global offices to handle day-to-day support, strategic advice on large-scale transactional matters, and disputes. It has a notable sector focus in technology, including data privacy matters. Pieter De Koster and Anton Aerts co-head the team; De Koster is experienced in high-profile employment litigation and cross-border matters, while Aerts regularly handles transfer of undertakings, corporate restructurings, and redundancies.

Crowell & Moring‘s labour and employment team has experience spanning individual and collective labour matters, restructuring advice, privacy and data protection, and outsourcing arrangements. Sector strengths for the team include telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, and aerospace. Team co-head Emmanuel Plasschaert is often sought after for complex restructurings and collective labour law disputes, and co-head Evelien Jamaels has growing experience in international employment and global mobility.

The ‘reactive and business-oriented’ employment, labour, and pensions team at Eversheds Sutherland works closely with colleagues across the Benelux region, providing strategic ongoing HR law advice to its clients along with capabilities in collective dismissal matters. These collective labour matters are an area of strength for team co-head Stefan Corbanie, while co-head Céline Wauters is experienced in the employment elements of Belgian market entries and global reorganisations.

EY Law fields a growing team of specialists in its employment law practice, handling day-to-day labour law and HR challenges, individual dismissals, compensation and benefits matters and collective labour law. Practice head Barbara François advises clients both domestic and international on their reorganisation and restructuring projects, along with support during employment and social security audits.

The labour and employment team at Jones Day ‘offers comprehensive support across a wide range of legal matters’, with experience supporting clients in restructuring processes, litigation procedures, and transfer employment matters. Day to day HR matters, social security compliance, and employee benefits also make up the practice of team head Chantal Biernaux, ‘an exceptional lawyer’ and certified mediator. Sara Vanderstraeten joined the team from PwC Legal in July 2024, bringing ‘a remarkable ability to break down complex issues’.

Laurius‘ employment team boasts ‘deep knowledge of labour law in Belgium’, with its expertise spanning corporate transactions and regulatory matters. Heading the team, Damien Stas de Richelle has knowledge of both individual and collective employment law, with notable experience in corporate restructuring, outsourcing transactions, and industrial relations with trade unions.

Praised as a ‘go-to counsel for sensitive and high risk issues’, the employment and social law practice at Monard law, joined by Buyle focuses on international and trans-national employment work, with a transactional and advisory emphasis. Brussels practice head Bert Theeuwes ‘is amazingly knowledgeable’, while Tom Messiaen takes the lead in Ghent and Peter Dufaux is the go-to in Hasselt. Areas of particular focus for the team include social security law, compliance and audit work, and international mobility.

PwC Legal‘s employment offering covers the entire spectrum of employment issues, including both individual and collective labour law, compensation and benefits, and social audits. Its close collaboration with PwC’s tax, finance, and advisory teams internationally is a standout element of the practice. Team head Pascale Moreau has particular experience in company restructuring, including closure and transfer of undertakings, and post-deal harmonisation of labour conditions. Sara Vanderstraeten departed the team for Jones Day in July 2024.

Simmons & Simmons fields an employment team with depth of experience in redundancy projects, reorganisations, and harmonisations. It often supports large, international clients, with particular strength in the financial services, investment funds, TMT, and healthcare and life sciences sectors. Herman Craeninckx joined the team in March 2024 from Strelia, bringing longstanding experience in company restructuring. Former practice head and cross-border employment expert Dimitri Van Uytvanck left for Baker McKenzie in January 2025.

Characterised by its ‘exceptional understanding of the evolving legal landscape’, the employment and benefits team at Strelia handles matters from hiring and dismissal through to transfers and retirement. Its key areas of strength include individual employment law, HR transformation and change management, and industrial relations. Practice head Stefanie Tack regularly handles company restructurings, labour inspections, and whistleblowing cases. Herman Craeninckx left the firm in March 2024.

Tetra Law‘s specialised labour department works cross-departmentally within the firm to provide support in tax matters and social criminal proceedings alongside its work in international mobility, company reorganisation, and harassment and discrimination. ‘Outstanding’ team head Sylvie Lacombe is experienced in dismissals, including mass lay-offs and company closures.

The employment law team at Van Bael & Bellis provides ‘swift, pragmatic advice’ on matters from restructurings and collective dismissals to workplace discrimination and harassment, with additional experience in pensions matters. Its work in the negotiation of collective labour agreements is a particular strength. Catherine Longeval, litigation specialist, co-heads the team with ‘powerhouse’ Sara Beutels, who often handles the employment elements of corporate transactions.