CMS is a market leader for complex, cross-border employment mandates and serves a range of clients from different sectors, including technology and IT, retail and luxury goods, aviation, and energy. Team head Gaël Chuffart boasts expertise in collective labour relations, including major restructurings, reorganisations, and redundancy plans. Elke Duden, who handles sensitive employment matters related to workforce reorganisations, often advises foreign EOR companies on cybersecurity incidents and top executives on contracts, dismissals, and benefits, with a particular focus on the financial industry. Recently appointed managing partner Sophie Berg advises on complex individual and collective issues, specialising in high-stakes restructuring, compliance, and HR integration post-M&A.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘I primarily collaborate with Sophie Berg, whose professionalism and dedication consistently stand out. Her legal advice is precise, commercially attuned, and delivered with clarity, enabling confident decision-making.’
- ‘Sophie Berg and her team are a great match for clients that are seeking pragmatic advice and real added value. Sophie is the kind of lawyer that is really with you.’
- ‘Excellent team, very responsive, highly knowledgeable, and always offering practical, workable solutions to issues.’
- ‘Elke Duden is an expert in the legal framework and necessary details while keeping in mind business needs. Always available and ready with to-the-point legal advice.’
- ‘Gaël Chuffart is an excellent attorney. He provides sound legal advice and great service.’
Key clients
- Europcar
- Accenture
- BASF
- J&J Pension Fund
- Eurostar
- Gilson International
- DPD
- Kautex
- Lear Corporation
- Paticeo
- Cooley LLP
- Accor
Work highlights
Advising Accenture on the Project Vista that involves the transfer by the bank BNP Paribas Fortis of part of its client onboarding process services and around 500 employees to Accenture as of 1st January 2026 by the setting up various main operations.
Advising Europcar on the comprehensive restructuring of its operations, overseeing every phase from initial evaluation to execution.
Advised the global headquarters of US-based multinational Johnson & Johnson on its desire to refund a surplus on assets in the J&J Pension Fund (a separate legal vehicle established under Belgian law) to the local J&J entities that act as employers in The Netherlands, Ireland, and Belgium, all of which have been contributing to the J&J Pension Fund.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Gaël Chuffart
Other key lawyers
Elke Duden; Sophie Berg; Karen Dereepere; Bertrand Simonart