Bird & Bird's employment practice serves as a strategic advisor to cross-border clients on standalone employment and benefits matters, encompassing compliance, data privacy, international mobility, and collective dismissals, as well as discrimination and harassment claims. Co-head Pieter De Koster focuses on work councils and industrial relations, while Anton Aerts specialises in the life sciences and technology sectors. The group's varied client base ranges from start-ups to multinationals.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Pieter De Koster and Cecilia Lahaye know our corporate DNA and take this fully into account in the way they advise and analyse issues.’
- ‘A good overall understanding of employment relations, understanding of commercial objectives and business, and a great help to HR departments.’
- ‘A special mention needs to be given to the Workers Council expertise of Pieter de Koster.'
- ‘Excellent and insightful expertise and support for labour law-related issues in Belgium and at the EU level, provided promptly.’
- ‘Great collaboration with our primary contact and B&B attorneys from other countries/regions. Global footprint with high-quality sister firms in countries without a B&B office.'
- 'Great practical guidance on how to navigate within the legal landscape in addition to the excellent legal advice and counsel.’
Key clients
- Kontoor Brands
- NCR Atleos
- Colgate-Palmolive
- Straumann Group
- Ricoh
- Genetec
- Neste
- Patria Oyj
- Elanco
- Salesforce
- Workday
- VF International
Work highlights
Advised NCR Atleos on the full process of setting up a European works council, governed by Belgian law.
Assisted Neste, the Finnish energy group, with the set-up of a European works council, including strategic issues on governance, composition, governing law, etc.
Assisted Zoom with both collective and individual labour law issues.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Pieter De Koster; Anton Aerts
Other key lawyers
Cecilia Lahaye; Jehan de Wasseige