GSK Stockmann

How has GSK Stockmann established itself within the Luxembourg legal market? Opened in March 2016, our office started with 3 partners, 5 associates and 1 staff member; as a result of organic growth we now have more than 50 lawyers – including 8 partners and 1 counsel -, business services and back office staff from more than 10 jurisdictions speaking even more languages which makes the Luxembourg office of GSK Stockmann a truly international workplace. The ongoing growth of our team has led to the increase of our office space. The generous space has been set up to offer individual offices for all our lawyers and business services. Another important aspect is our employer branding which – unlike most law firms – means that we do not impose minimum billable hours on our lawyers. Combined with our focus on culture we have top staff satisfaction and very low staff turnover helping us attract and retain top talent, and continually providing our clients with the highest quality of service. Only recently our office has again been recognized as a Great Place to Work® by the Great Place to Work® Institute. The results are based on an anonymous online survey addressed to our lawyers and employees alike and show that our firm is a true collaborative and positive work environment. What is the main development you have made in the firm that will benefit clients? In September 2022, GSK Stockmann opened an office in London creating new opportunities to strengthen the firm’s capabilities and international footprint. The London office is the firm’s second international office after the opening of the Luxembourg office in 2016 and is a key element in expanding GSK Stockmann’s business with international clients based in the UK, the USA and Asia and in fostering international relations. The London team focusses on the advice on complex cross-border projects and transactions structured via Luxembourg and Germany with regard to private equity, venture capital and real estate projects with a particular focus on the asset management and financial services industry. How does GSK Stockmann measure up when it comes to diversity? Our firm is strongly committed to diversity. In terms of gender diversity, we enable flexible work solutions to promote female leadership. We promote cultural diversity, especially in our Luxembourg office. Our legal practice and international client base benefit from the diverse backgrounds of our lawyers and our staff, enabling us to speak our clients’ language and relate to their cultural background. How do you describe your approach in relation to sustainability? Sustainability is a key driver for the future transformation of the EU economies and Luxembourg is well placed to support this process as a leading center for sustainable finance in the heart of Europe. In this field, we see a growing demand of investors, asset managers, corporates and institutions in the ESG sector and hence an increasing number of “green” transactions. Taking up the green movement as an employer, we have banned plastic bottles and established the use of water dispensers, within both the office and the conference rooms. We have implemented printing processes according to the latest standards to avoid unnecessary waste. Moreover, our office follows the internal firm-wide travel recommendations, e.g. to avoid plane travel where possible and set up video conferences instead. In relation to our enlarged office space, the materials used comply with modern environmental standards. What are the main drivers for your current and future activities? At the heart of the European Union, our office is ideally positioned to provide advice to national and international clients in Luxembourg, Europe and worldwide. This integrates well in GSK Stockmann’s international strategy with international desks relating to key jurisdictions around the world in order to highlight cross-border capabilities to international clients as well as the recent opening of the London office. We have managed to achieve a consolidated profile amongst our peers, in the national and international media, and as sponsors and speakers at numerous national and international conferences. Our development is increasingly considered in national and international rankings. As good corporate citizens in Luxembourg, we aim to support local activities. As corporate members of the Philharmonie Luxembourg, we support the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra Academy fostering the education of talented young musicians. We regularly offer local artists a platform to present contemporary Luxembourgish art in our premises; each exhibition is highlighted by a vernissage, which has become a regular event for many of our clients, friends and colleagues. To learn more about GSK Stockmann in Luxembourg go to: www.gsk-lux.com