The Legal 500

Allen & Overy Luxembourg is a clear leader in collective dismissals and social plans, most notably in the financial services sector. Much credit goes to André Marc (‘extremely dedicated’, ‘always available’, ‘very proactive’), though the departure of counsel Christian Jungers to Kleyr | Grasso | Associes is regarded as a significant blow. Nevertheless, clients commend the team’s ‘experience’, ‘business acumen’ and ‘industry knowledge’.

With the eminent Louis Berns (‘strong expertise’, ‘good at representing employers in court’) at the helm, Arendt & Medernach has created an enviable market position. The firm has unrivalled experience in the banking and industrial sectors, most notably in relation to trade union negotiation and employee representations. The firm is heavily engaged in M&A schemes and related restructuring measures, as well as collective dismissals and social plans.

The ‘very efficient’ employment and labour boutique Castegnaro, member of Ius Laboris now exclusively represents corporates and employers. Like its rivals, much of its work relates to collective dismissals and social plans and many of its clients hail from the financial and transport (including aviation) sectors. Guy Castegnaro is the lead partner of the firm, which is a founding member of the international employment law alliance ius laboris.

Linklaters LLP is ‘excellent value for money’, thanks to its ‘very detailed knowledge’ and advice, which is ‘delivered in a very short time frame’. The firm represents many of the leading financial institutions and asset managers in Luxembourg. Much of the firm’s work relates to corporate transactions and restructurings, including collective bargaining and social plans. René Diederich is market leading practitioner and is commended for his ‘clarity’ and ‘speed’.

Noble & Scheidecker has made considerable headway with much credit going to Marielle Stevenot (‘particularly good at providing business orientated solutions and giving tailored advice’), a recognised expert in contentious issues. The firm represents numerous financial services clients, including accountancy firms, as well as a number of IT, technology and telecoms companies. Clients highlight the team’s ‘responsiveness’, ‘business acumen’, ‘strategic input’, and ‘client service orientation’.

Adam & Bleser is regarded as ‘the best’ firm in relation to employee and union representation in labour disputes. Romain Adam is widely considered to be the pre-eminent counsel to employees, most notably in the banking sector. ‘He is a very good lawyer who defends employees and acts for the biggest labour unions in Luxembourg’.

Much of Bonn Schmitt Steichen’s work centres on collective bargaining agreements and relations with trade unions. Over the last two years, the firm has worked on a series of social and collective redundancy plans, restructurings and cross border transfers. The department headed by employment specialist Anne Morel almost exclusively represents employers.

Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen is ‘client focused’ and provides ‘clear and useful advice’. Pierre Elvinger is a recognised specialist in collective redundancy programmes and bank restructurings. The firm also represents a number of US clients. The firm has a tremendous reputation for employment litigation. Léon Gloden is also recommended.

Kleyr | Grasso | Associes made further headway in the employment environment by recruiting the renowned Christian Jungers (‘very experienced’, ‘communicates in a clear and understandable manner’) from Allen & Overy Luxembourg. The firm had already built a solid reputation for its advice on employment issues related to major corporate restructurings. In this regard François Collot has ‘very good knowledge of the industry’ and is ‘dedicated to his client’, ‘very reactive’ and ‘proactive’.

Kremer Associés & Clifford Chance is most active in the banking and financial services sector, with issues such as transfer of employees and the application of TUPE regulations. Much of the firm’s work is of a transactional nature, although the department head Albert Moro has a fine contentious record.

Molitor Avocats à la Cour is ‘fantastic’ and ‘responsive’ according to clients. The firm has plenty of experience in outsourcing transactions and transfer or employees, as well as social plans, and collective bargaining and dismissals. Michel Molitor and Paulo Lopes da Silva are ‘extremely professional’, ‘empathetic to clients’, and ‘have an entrepreneurial spirit’. Nadine Bogelman is also recommended.

Brucher Thieltgen & Partners acts for both employers and employees, the latter practice being largely in the financial industry. Nicolas Thieltgen has a solid reputation.

DSM Di Stefano Moyse Avocats à la Cour is known principally for contentious work, although it does have non-contentious capabilities. The firm boasts a number multinational corporates amongst its client base.

Decker, Braun and Poos’s Olivier Poos is a recognised labour law specialist. The firm is known for handling wrongful dismissal claims on behalf of employees.