Freshfields LLP handles a wide range of cross-border and cross-practice employment matters. The team has developed strong advisory and litigation expertise in mass redundancies, cross-border transactions and mergers, restructurings, investigations and other sensitive HR issues. Global head Gwen Senlanne brings extensive experience in managing high-stakes employment matters, including senior executive departures and the implementation of compensation packages. Paris practice head Christel Cacioppo contributes significant expertise in pensions and collective litigation. Elodie Favre-Thellmann advises clients on emerging compliance requirements and the strategic implications of pay transparency and reward policies.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘This practice stands out for its hands-on approach and the close involvement of the partners throughout the engagement.'
- ‘Gwen Senlanne stands out for his deep technical expertise, strong dedication, and consistently high-quality work. Well experienced in French labour law in connection with M&A.’
- ‘Gwen Selanne is very responsive and solution-oriented.'
- ‘The Freshfields team has consistently demonstrated exceptional collaboration, combining a strong service orientation, efficiency and flexibility to address our various challenges, both simple and complex. All of this is achieved within a highly cordial atmosphere among the teams.’
Key clients
- BNP Paribas
- Evotec
- Bristol-Myers Squibb
- UBS
- Novartis
- Sanofi
- JP Morgan
Work highlights
Advised BNP Paribas Group on the employment aspects related to the acquisition of AXA Investment Managers, which is present in 20 countries.
Advised Sanofi on the carve-out and subsequent majority share sale of its consumer healthcare business, Opella, which employs over 11,000 employees globally.
Advised UBS and Credit Suisse on the tax and legal aspects of the integration of Credit Suisse’s activities into the UBS group organisation, in all the jurisdictions in which Credit Suisse is present.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Gwen Senlanne
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Elodie Favre-Thellmann
Practice head
Christel Cacioppo; Gwen Senlanne; Elodie Favre-Thellmann
Other key lawyers
Sarah Bassis