Labor and Employment

Partnerships

An accomplished employment law practice with global scope and experience

Because today’s workforce is more diverse and global, employers require experienced counsel to protect their interests and operations amid ever-changing domestic and international employment regulations. The practice is international, with Dechert lawyers located in major commercial centers in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

As advisors and advocates, we protect the interests of companies of all sizes in virtually every industry. The team represents employers in complex disputes and litigation, advises on the workforce aspects of domestic and cross-border transactions and restructurings, and advises on workforce practices and policies that prevent problems from occurring in the first ...Continue Reading

Major French Clothing Brand

Dechert represented a well-known French clothing company on a major restructuring project, which was conducted in conjunction with a corporate reorganization.

Our work included a strategic analysis for the purpose of structuring the reorganization in such a way that allowed the articulation of goals pursued in the corporate reorganization being led simultaneously. We assisted with the framework of the plant’s closure in France, which resulted in the redundancies of all personnel in that location.

Our role included the definition of the strategy, the drafting of documentation and assistance at all stages of negotiations with the unions, (at various stages involving the labor administration) as well as providing day-to-day support during the works council consultation process and during the implementation of the redundancies.

We also managed the closing down of our client’s Monaco subsidiary which required compliance with specific local laws, while at the same time applying the justification built for the reorganization in France. We acted as the interface between our client and the local lawyer.

By assisting this high end specialty brand we have set a new milestone for our presence in the fashion industry.

International Law Firm

Dechert represented an international law firm with offices across Europe, the Middle East and Asia on a highly sensitive issue with regard to the long term absence of a partner, working closely with our client to ensure all legal, strategic and commercial objectives were met. Our work included handling Employment Tribunal proceedings and their resolution including a claim made by the partner of disability discrimination, a subject access request and witness statements and advising on the departure of the partner on agreed terms in relation to financial matters and public announcement.

Individual and class action employment discrimination
Sexual harassment
Wage and hour
Intellectual property and non-competition
Privacy and data protection
Wrongful discharge and termination
Employment torts
Employee contract, benefit disputes and ERISA litigation
WARN Act

Arbitrations and proceedings under collective bargaining agreements, and before the National Labor Relations Board
Union avoidance and election campaigns
Collective bargaining negotiations
Strikes, boycotts and other union activity

Negotiating and drafting employment contracts
Designing and implementing share option, bonus and other incentive arrangements, including executive and equity compensation arrangements
Advising on workforce restructuring and redundancy exercises
Drafting and enforcing restrictive covenants and confidentiality obligations
Advising on employment aspects of corporate transactions
Handling data protection and privacy issues
Drafting separation agreements

Personnel management, including hiring practices, performance evaluations, discipline and discharge procedures
Internal investigations
Reductions in force
Affirmative action
Employee classifications and pay
Medical and other leaves of absence
Sexual harassment
Privacy rights
Employee handbooks

Asset managers, insurers and other financial services organizations must contend with employment issues unique to their industry. Dechert advises on remuneration structures (e.g., such as partnership profit waterfalls, deferral plans, LTIPs, carried interest plans, phantom plans and co-investment rights), the regulation of remuneration (e.g., including remuneration policies, remuneration committee terms of reference, guarantees and ex post risk adjustment policies), regulatory references and the Senior Manager and Certification Regime applying in the UK.

In support of the firm’s life sciences clients and with knowledge of industry norms and standards, we counsel on the full range of employment matters, including non-compete and non-disclosure agreements, equity packages and executive employment contracts covering term of employment, termination and severance.

Dechert is particularly well qualified to advise multijurisdictional companies on planning for and executing restructurings involving reductions in headcount and/or the transfer of personnel in one or more countries, including complying with TUPE regulations.

Dechert advises businesses on employment problems and disputes with senior executives during the employment relationship. We help negotiate and draft settlement and severance agreements and, if necessary, resolve disputes before courts and tribunals.

The labor and employment team helps the firm’s many corporate, M&A, private equity and financial services clients protect the value their business. The team advises on identifying, mitigating and managing risks posed by the employer-employee relationship, including restrictive covenants and non-competes, protection of intellectual property and know-how, confidentiality and risk and compliance.

Our lawyers work with employers on privacy and security policies and procedures, compliance matters, national and international privacy rules and regulations, industry standards, security breach notifications, and medical privacy. We also provide employee and compliance training.