Employment
Europe Guide 2024 : France
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+33 1 4561 5180About
Provided by August Debouzy
Headed by Emmanuelle Barbara, the employment law team provides a full range of employment law expertise, including with regards to collective and individual industrial relations, executive management compensation schemes, employee health and safety in the workplace, civil liberties, employment litigation, employee savings and pension schemes, social benefits, and international mobility. The firm is also regularly retained to advise and represent employers of CAC 40 companies and major French and international industrial groups, in highly sensitive employment law matters, such as mass redundancies, restructuring transactions and high stakes negotiations with employee representative bodies.
The employment lawyers regularly team up with the firm’s lawyers specializing in restructuring, taxation or corporate law and, more recently, compliance experts to provide clients a comprehensive approach and effectively manage their overlapping issues involving various practice areas.
Chambers Review
August Debouzy has a market-leading team that covers a wide range of employment mandates. The firm is highly skilled in assisting both French and international clients, including CAC 40 companies, with employee litigation, company reorganisations and collective redundancy plans. The group demonstrates additional expertise in dealing with matters concerning workplace discrimination and assisting with inspections by French authorities. The department has further experience in whistle-blowing policies and issues surrounding foreign secondment.
Work Highlights
- August Debouzy represented TUI France before the Conseil d'Etat to determine whether TUI applied the correct order criteria in the closure of its distribution network in France and the resulting redundancies.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"There is really a good breadth and depth of experience at August Debouzy. The firm has long been known for its excellent employment practice."
"The firm handles the addressed subjects in a short amount of time and feeds back to the client with clear answers or requests for additional information to provide the most relevant answers possible."
"I appreciate August Debouzy's grasp of the topics dealt with and the finesse of its analysis."
"The team has the ability to give practical and clear advice."
"There is really a good breadth and depth of experience at August Debouzy. The firm has long been known for its excellent employment practice."
"The firm handles the addressed subjects in a short amount of time and feeds back to the client with clear answers or requests for additional information to provide the most relevant answers possible."
"I appreciate August Debouzy's grasp of the topics dealt with and the finesse of its analysis."
"The team has the ability to give practical and clear advice."
Notable Practitioners
Emmanuelle Barbara is highly sought after by leading French and international corporates hailing from a range of sectors including retail and hospitality. She assists with the negotiation of collective agreements, employee transfers and employment criminal law cases.
"Emmanuelle Barbara is the most incredible lawyer I have ever met in my life. I have never worked with a lawyer like her before."
"She is very smart and sharp."
"She has a deep knowledge of the case."
Marie-Hélène Bensadoun maintains a solid employment practice advising on individual and collective terminations. She regularly handles mandates in the TMT, transportation and energy sectors.
"It is a pleasure to collaborate with Marie-Hélène Bensadoun."
"She is able to propose legal options and advice that is quickly actionable."
Virginie Devos displays strong capabilities in high-profile employment disputes and restructurings. She often advises international clients.
"Virginie Devos is experienced and has a deep and clear understanding of topics. I appreciate the quality of the relationship."
"Beyond her technical skills and expertise, I particularly appreciate her pragmatism and understanding of the reality of companies and socioeconomic issues."
Fabienne Haas handles a range of employment issues, including employee benefits mandates. Additionally, she frequently assists clients with multi-jurisdictional matters. She also advises on contentious matters, such as sexual harassment litigation and employee dismissals following misconduct.
"Fabienne Haas is strong and always looks out for your best interests. She is driven and fantastic to work with."
"She is extremely responsive."
Ranked Lawyers at
August Debouzy
France
Members
Provided by August Debouzy
Anaïs Qureshi
Catherine Le Manchec
Head of Department
Eric Manca
Fabienne Haas
Philippe Durand