Demonstrating a 'deep knowledge of labour regulations and a precise understanding of their clients' needs', A&O Shearman is well-positioned to provide 'practical and solutions-oriented' advice to public and private sector entities across the full swathe of their individual and collective employment law requirements. Under the leadership of the 'very responsive' Gilles Dall’Agnol, the team has developed particular expertise advising banks and asset managers on their employment requirements, combining deep subject matter and regulatory knowledge with the often fairly unique needs of clients in these industries. The team continues to be at the forefront of negotiating social plans within the financial services industry, with Dall'Agnol recently negotiating one such plan for approximately 155 employees on behalf of UBS/Credit Suisse. The vastly experienced André Marc combines 'a deep and excellent knowledge of local practices and law' and remains at the forefront of employment law issues within the private banking space. Counsel Christophe Ernzen provides 'very practical and commercial' advice across a range of standalone and transactional driven employment matters, including regularly providing the necessary labour law overlay in relation to large M&A transactions with a Luxembourg angle. Counsel Maurice Macchi is also adept at handling large-scale strategic employment matters (including social plans), as well as contentious matters, including investigations alleging sexual, racial or gender discrimination.

Independent full-service heavyweight Arendt & Medernach provides a comprehensive contentious and non-contentious employment offering for a myriad clients in the financial and industrial sectors, in particular. Drawing upon a wide array of knowledge of both individual and collective law procedures, team head Philippe Schmit is at the forefront of the highest-profile mandates handled by the team, including large redundancy procedures, as well as a considerable volume of litigation/investigations - including a growing number related to whistle-blowers. Combining business crime and employment expertise, Jean-Luc Putz is also a key member of the team, particularly in light of an increasing willingness to prosecute economic misdemeanours perpetrated by directors.

With a number of 'highly skilled' practitioners in its ranks, specialist employment boutique Castegnaro, member of Ius Laboris is well-placed to provide 'pragmatic, cost-effective and solutions-oriented' advice to public and private sector employers across the gamut of their contentious and non-contentious requirements. The 'experienced and very professional' Ariane Claverie has 'a lot of knowledge' across a broad array of employment matters, offering particularly insightful advice in light of her role many years ago working with the government on the codification of Luxembourg's labour legislation. Founding partner Guy Castegnaro is well-versed across a range of employment law matters, including contractual negotiations, harassment investigations and subsequent settlement agreements, and the termination of employment contracts. Christophe Domingos excels in collective employment matters and rounds out the team at a partner level, following the promotion in January 2024 of Marie Behle-Pondji .

With a strong understanding of both the pure legal and commercial aspects associated with any mandate it advises on, KLEYR GRASSO can provide 'pragmatic and responsive advice' to local and international clients across the full scope of contentious and non-contentious social and employment law issues. Team head Christian Jungers' diverse practice includes advice on individual and collective terminations, as well as regularly negotiating collective bargaining agreements and social plans. Céline Defay provides 'a high-quality level of service' to national and international corporates, on standalone advisory matters, including in relation to contract terminations and social plans, as well as employment work associated with broader transactions - including M&A-related TUPE matters. Philippe Ney and Anissa Bali are also well regarded for data protection and workplace harassment/whistle-blower issues respectively.

Abreast of 'the latest case law and law changes without losing sight of the commercial aspects', boutique firm Unalome Legal Sàrl delivers 'a truly unparalleled level of service, blending technical excellence with strategic insight' to employers from the financial services, manufacturing and retail sectors, in particular. The scope of the work covers both contentious and non-contentious aspects, including a new service primarily aimed at smaller companies (lacking substantial in-house capabilities) helping them to manage workplace investigations on harassment and discrimination claims, as well as whistleblowing reports. Remaining 'unflappable even in the most complex situations', Cindy Arces handles a myriad individual and collective employment issues, including as it relates to the implementation of staff incentive schemes, and with regard to assisting employers integrating staff following large-scale reorganisation/merger processes. The 'outstanding' Marielle Stevenot co-heads the team alongside Arces and is appreciated for her 'knowledgeable, supportive and pragmatic' guidance to employers across a range of litigation/investigations, including in the defence of discrimination claims.

Primarily focused on employment law, boutique independent firm Adam & Bleser has the market insight and knowledge to be able to provide 'solutions-oriented advice' to clients across a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The team has, however, gained a particularly strong reputation advising senior employees on their employment needs, with name partner Romain Adam particular skilled at advising financial services senior managers negotiating their exit packages. Other name partner Claude Bleser is also very skilled at advising senior executives, as is Dominique Farys.

Under the guidance of Annie Elfassi, Baker McKenzie continues to gain market traction and bolstered by a number of high-profile strategic hires over the last few years, increasingly has the critical mass to handle a significant range and volume of work for an employer-focused client base. Sabrina Bodson displays  'strong attention to detail' and is a popular choice among employers seeking guidance across the full life-cycle of their activities, from hiring through to firing. Elfassi is also skilled at handling some advisory work, often working with Bodson on remuneration policies and general employment contract drafting, as well as leveraging her broader litigation smarts to good effect across a range of contentious employment matters.

The 'responsive and knowledgeable' team at BSP has a 'proactive and business-oriented approach' to handling employment work, and is consequently a very popular choice among both domestic and multinational employers on matters throughout the life-cycle of their business operations, from arranging initial employment contracts through to advice on employment terminations and everything in between. 'Seasoned, respected and reliable'  team head Anne Morel provides 'very responsive and commercial' advice to clients, including on the employment matters connected with large-scale cross-border corporate restructurings and M&A transactions.

Drawing upon an 'in-depth knowledge of Luxembourgish labour law' and leveraging strong standalone and institutional firmwide client relationships, Clifford Chance is regularly seen in the market across a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters. As well as regularly being involved advising on ad-hoc matters, including advice on employment contract and remuneration policy drafting, the team also often provides the employment advice concomitant to large-scale cross-border M&A mandates handled by the firm. The 'thorough and practical' Albert Moro has a 'strong business understanding', which he utilises to good effect for funds and financial institutions, including on large-scale restructuring mandates in the aftermath of consolidations/divestments within their business. Moro co-heads the team alongside Ada Schmitt, whose wide-ranging practice includes transactional-related matters, as well as an increasing volume of advisory work relating to whistle-blower issues.

The 'highly professional and knowledgeable' team at Elvinger Hoss Prussen has a 'deep knowledge of the law', which it is able to effectively apply to a number of complex situations, including for banks and funds on remuneration matters and in the context of the restructuring of their businesses operations. The vastly experienced Pierre Elvinger is able to leverage his broader litigation smarts to good effect, both from a risk management perspective across a range of contractual drafting matters, as well as on behalf of employers across a myriad disputes. Florence Apostolou co-heads the team alongside Elvinger and has deep and broad experience at handling individual and collective employment matters, including on internal policy/contract reviews and sensitive internal investigations.

 

The 'very experienced team' at MOLITOR Avocats à la Cour SARL displays 'an outstanding, commercial and client-focused approach' for domestic and multinational employers across a range of standalone advisory work (contract drafting, advice on social plans and remuneration policies) and on the employment issues associated with broader firmwide transactions. Praised for his 'rigor and professionalism', team head Régis Muller is at the forefront of this work, and also handles some employee-side mandates, including for financial services executives on contentious matters.

The 'highly knowledgeable' team at Brucher Thieltgen & Partners provides 'precise, clear, and results-oriented advice' to employers from across a range of industry sectors, regularly handling ad-hoc advisory work as well as advising on ongoing HR issues. Team head Marie Bena takes the lead on this work and also has niche expertise representing senior executives on the negotiation of severance pay.

The 'friendly and approachable' team at CMS provides 'practical advice' to employers on their HR requirements, as well as on larger ad-hoc advisory matters, including in the context of mass redundancy exercises. 'Responsive' team head Hugo Arellano provides 'sensible advice', both in a contentious and non-contentious setting, including to a considerable number of asset management clients.

Working on its own as well as frequently as part of a co-ordinated offering with other practice groups, including M&A, banking and investment management, Linklaters provides 'commercial and helpful' advice to financial services and funds clients across a range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Team head Marie Sinniger takes the lead on much of this work, including on the TUPE issues associated with M&A transactions, advice on remuneration policies and settlement agreements, as well as the defence of unfair dismissal claims.

Now headed on a de-facto basis by litigation partner Henri Dupong following Sabrina Martin's departure in July 2024, Loyens & Loeff provides a mix of general day-to-day employment law advice, transactional-related matters (including due diligence associated with M&A) and ad-hoc employment advice. Counsel Farah Jeraj is central to much of this work and is also well-versed at handling dismissal cases and harassment investigations. Although the firm is active across a range of industry sectors, it is particularly skilled at advising asset management clients on their employment issues, including on the establishment of global employment contracts.

Luther S.A.'s team head Raphaël Schindler is well-liked by clients from a range of sectors, including asset managers and tech-focused companies, as a result of his ability to provide 'pragmatic and business-oriented advice' across a wide range of day-to-day employment matters, litigation and in the context of strategic transactional employment issues.

Acting on its own as well as often working alongside complementary practice areas including corporate, PwC Legal Luxembourg 'stands out for its holistic approach to addressing both the legal and strategic aspects of employment law'. Praised for her ability to 'combine technical legal knowledge with a strategic mindset', team head Sabrina Alvaro  is skilled across a wide range of employment matters, including in the context of advice to international businesses on the necessary employment issues associated with establishing operations in the country and in the formulation of staff incentive schemes.

Advising both employers and employees in the private and public sector (where the firm has particular overarching strength), Thewes & Reuter provides a balanced offering across a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Renowned litigator Pierre Reuter regularly represents  employers against claims of unfair dismissal and more broadly on collective employment law matters. Anne Charton co-heads the team alongside Reuter.