In most countries, employment law is becoming increasingly intricate, with courts rendering the practice more complex still by adding their interpretation of the law to the mix, thereby adding to the complexity of managing the application of employment laws. First and foremost, Gide's lawyers look to find the best operational solutions for our clients, in line with applicable legislation, regulations and case law.
When faced with a litigation risk, our solutions aim to control this risk and lessen its consequences on the company and its directors. Working alongside our clients also means we are able to foresee the potential consequences their strategy may have on the company, in particular in terms of image.
Gide relies on a veritable international network, thanks to its numerous offices worldwide and regular correspondent firms in most countries of the world. We assist and advise our clients in all aspects of dispute resolution relating to employment law and social security law, both in France and abroad, and represent them before the competent administrations and courts in France and in all the countries in which we are present.
The internationalisation of business in general and changes in legislation indicate that most strategic cases in employment law require a combination of several skills. For instance, restructuring a company active in the chemical industry requires that thought be given to the impacts of such a project on other areas, such as employment, tax and environment. Specialists in these practice groups must therefore also be consulted. Similarly, it is not possible to efficiently advise a manager on the consequences his/her changing career may have on the company without taking into account tax and employment law aspects. Neither is it possible to advise a client on the scope of a non-compete clause subject to New York law without being able to quickly call on lawyers proficient in this type of law.
Within the firm, 50 employment law practitioners (lawyers and legal consultants), including seven overseeing partners, assist national and international clients alike in all aspects of employment law, particularly in the following fields:
Our Employment Law practice group’s strategy has always been to:
Our firm is highly active in the Lex Mundi world association of independent law firms, with our lawyers regularly offering their legal expertise to leading local firms in those countries in which Gide is not physically present.
Above and beyond advising and litigating for their clients, our lawyers actively take part in the development of employment law as a whole, in particular by taking part in symposia and training sessions that are tailored to companies’ needs and by drafting memos and articles in the specialised press, both in France and abroad.
Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. conseille des entreprises françaises et internationales de premier plan, parmi lesquelles de grandes sociétés spécialisées dans l’aérien, l'énergie et le luxe. Le cabinet assiste ses clients dans la gestion de leurs dossiers les plus stratégiques. Il traite plusieurs litiges de masse, liés à des projets de réduction d’effectifs, des opérations de fusions-acquisitions, ou encore des dossiers de procédures collectives. L'équipe a également été mandatée par Uber pour gérer des procédures particulièrement sensibles, engagées par des centaines de chauffeurs utilisateurs de la plateforme, demandant la requalification de leur statut contractuel en contrat de travail. Enfin, le cabinet a fourni un important soutien à ses clients aux premières heures de la crise de la Covid-19. . Aurélien Boulanger, David Jonin, Baudouin de Moucheron, Guillaume Navarro, Foulques de Rostolan et François Vergne codirigent la pratique.
Legal 500 Paris 2022
Gide Loyrette Nouel, a firm headquartered in Paris, fields a closely integrated international employment practice. The team in Poland is instructed on trade union negotiations, restructurings, employee transfers, disputes and insurance packages, among other mandates. Paweł Grześkowiak chairs the practice with the support of Joanna Jasiewicz, noted for her ‘many years of experience in both Polish and European labour law.’
Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - Poland
Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. ’s excellent team is a popular choice for complex and challenging projects. The team regularly assists clients facing difficult strike situations involving trade unions, especially within French leading corporations. It excels in high-stakes litigation, often involving a high number of employees, for example acting in business-critical proceeding for a leading international digital platform regarding fundamental employment law status issues. The practice is also handling large and strategic restructuring work, notably for a luxury goods company, and is experienced in mass scale redundancy projects. Leading French companies turn to the firm for strategic corporate M&A and reorganization projects, with the energy and infrastructure sectors core sectors in this line of work. The group recently worked on one of the market’s recent most high-profile M&A deals. The first-class team is jointly led by Aurélien Boulanger, David Jonin, Baudouin de Moucheron, Guillaume Navarro, Foulques de Rostolan and François Vergne. Counsel Benjamin Krief provides key support.
Legal 500 EMEA 2022
Gide Loyrette Nouel houses a well-established team assisting with mass redundancies in restructuring mandates and employee disputes. The law firm advises on relations with staff representative bodies, including works councils and trade unions. The practice displays further strength in employment-related litigation, including transnational posting of employees and expenses reimbursement.
Chambers Europe 2022
Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. ’s team advises leading French and international companies, including leading airline, energy and luxury goods companies, on their most strategic issues. The practice is handling several mass disputes relating to M&A, insolvency and downsizing projects as well as expenses and dividends work matters. The team has also been retained by Uber to handle high-stakes claims brought by hundreds of Uber platform drivers’ users asking for their status to be reclassified as employees. Recently, the group provided key support in dealing with the first Covid-19 lockdown. Aurélien Boulanger, David Jonin, Baudouin de Moucheron, Guillaume Navarro, Foulques de Rostolan and François Vergne share the lead of the practice.
Legal 500 EMEA 2021
Well-established team assisting with mass redundancies in restructuring mandates and employee disputes. Advises on relations with staff representative bodies, including works councils and trade unions. Further strength in employment-related litigation, including transnational posting of employees and expenses reimbursement.
Chambers Europe 2021
Gide Loyrette Nouel has a large and very experienced team of more than 20 lawyers, who are regularly instructed on challenging work. The team's current workload includes acting for clients in mass disputes involving several hundreds of employment terminations, sometimes in the context of insolvency proceedings. The practice is notably representing European ferry company DFDS Seaways in litigation arising from the employment termination of some 600 employees, as well as Recylex in disputes connected with the employment termination of 800 employees. It also advised on major restructuring projects. The firm is entrusted by high-profile French and international companies including stellar names in the energy and luxury goods sectors. Akers and Stora Senso are also clients. Baudouin de Moucheron, Foulques de Rostolan, David Jonin and François Vergne are highly regarded.
Legal 500 EMEA 2019