Employment: Highly Regarded | Europe

CMS assists prominent clients from a variety of sectors, including energy, manufacturing and transportation, with employment law matters across Spain. Its highly regarded team is very active in collective dismissal procedures pertaining to restructurings and business closures, especially catering to international clients with Spanish subsidiaries. The termination of senior executives is also handled by the firm. CMS also supports businesses with all COVID-related issues.

Eversheds Sutherland houses a highly regarded employment law practice in Spain covering a broad array of mandates. Its team regularly advises on furlough schemes and lay-offs, and is particularly respected for its handling of M&A and restructuring-related employment mandates. Collective dismissals and the termination of executives also fall within Eversheds' offering. Similarly, corporate reorganisations requiring holistic labour law advice are handled by the firm. Aided by its international office network, the law firm is in a good position to assist with multi-jurisdictional mandates, advising clients from the media, healthcare and energy sectors.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo remains a trusted adviser for Spanish subsidiaries of international companies. The team assists with COVID-related issues, including temporary suspensions of employment and collective dismissals. The highly regarded team also assists employers with the termination of top executives and assists with the design of equality plans. With further expertise in restructuring-related cases, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo rounds off its offering. Throughout its offices in Spain, the firm caters to a diverse clientele from the technology, energy and retail sectors.

The international law firm Linklaters offers expertise in various employment mandates across Spain. The team advises on the implementation of new equality plans and compliance reviews. The firm assists with the drafting of senior executive compensation and incentive schemes, including within the context of private equity acquisitions that entail the replacement of management teams. Linklaters complements its offering with its abilities in judicial proceedings.

Araoz & Rueda has a strong market presence in employment mandates. The team is well placed to assist with the termination of employment contracts resulting from insolvency proceedings. It further represents clients in court when it comes to dismissal lawsuits. Its client list comprises domestic tech players, pharmaceutical companies and real estate developers.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is particularly experienced in the employment aspects of corporate acquisitions and disposals as well as restructurings. Its highly regarded team also advises on remuneration issues as well as furlough schemes, with a growing strength in COVID-related issues. Foreign clients from various sectors seek Freshfields' support on collective and top executive dismissals. It has further expertise in the handling of branch establishments and closures, often requiring negotiations with works councils.

Hogan Lovells is home to a well-reputed employment law practice in Spain. Well-known corporates from the insurance, telecommunications and media sectors seek the law firm's advice, aided by Hogan Lovells' international office network. The highly regarded team is particularly active in the handling of furlough schemes and assists with collective dismissals. M&A-related labour law issues as well as collective bargaining agreements are also handled by Hogan Lovells. Further expertise in the drafting of equality plans rounds off the firm's offering.

Highly regarded law firm KPMG Abogados regularly handles collective redundancies, furlough schemes and M&A as well as restructuring-related employment advice. Equality plans and labour law questions in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic and corporate transformation projects are additionally assisted with. Clients also benefit from the law firm's expertise in restructurings affecting large numbers of employees. Its clientele includes well-known players from the telecommunications, automotive and media sectors.

MAIO Legal houses a highly regarded Madrid-based employment law team with expertise in advising Spanish corporates as well as individuals. The law firm attracts particular attention for its work on behalf of top executives and management boards including contract negotiations and remuneration and dismissal disputes. Designing equality plans and other internal policies and handling restructuring as well as M&A-related labour law cases also belong to the firm's offering. MAIO Legal also defends clients against appeal proceedings brought by parties subject to collective redundancies or disciplinary dismissals. Its clientele comprises players from the construction and energy sectors as well as public entities.

PwC Tax & Legal's highly regarded team often assists with the implementation of company-wide employment policies including those pertaining to gender equality in the workforce. Additionally, the law firm is active on M&A-related employment matters as well as the restructuring of working conditions, with further expertise in employee transfers. Collective dismissals and harassment complaints are equally handled by PwC Tax & Legal. While mostly active for corporates from the manufacturing and transportation sectors, the firm is also sought after by public entities.

Andersen Spain is respected for its coverage of employment law, catering to prominent Spanish employers from the banking, fashion and entertainment sectors. The highly regarded team is active on collective dismissals and bargaining agreements as well as temporary lay-offs. The law firm is also active in M&A-related issues and negotiations with unions as well as ongoing advisory work. Clients also benefit from the firm's strength in contentious labour law mandates, often acting in front of the nation's highest courts in pension disputes.

Bird & Bird houses a well-reputed employment team that is capable of advising clients on a wide array of employment matters. The team handles collective dismissals and restructuring issues as well as termination of contracts and related litigation. Its lawyers also advise on benefits and internal HR policies.

Valencia-based Broseta Abogados has a team that is highly recognised for its work on collective bargaining and reviews of labour conditions. The team assists domestic clients with employee salary-related queries, temporary dismissals and early retirement matters.

Labormatters Abogados joins the rankings due to its solid reputation and offering in the practice area. The law firm is a well-regarded employment boutique capable of assisting clients with the full spectrum of employment issues, including HR policies and collective bargaining proceedings as well as with employment-related disputes. Its team also handles TUPE proceedings and dismissals.

The international law firm Latham & Watkins houses a respected employment law practice. It has expertise in handling restructuring and M&A-related mandates for prominent Spanish and international corporates. The team is also experienced in collective dismissals and terminations, often representing clients in court proceedings. Designing management incentive plans, conducting contract negotiations for the hiring of senior executives and assisting with furlough schemes also form part of the firm's offering. The firm also has experience in employee transfers.

The highly regarded Spanish law firm RocaJunyent offers expertise in complex employment law mandates for companies across Spain. Its team regularly advises on collective bargaining agreements and collective dismissals. Handling M&A and restructuring-related employment advice also falls within the firm's expertise. Clients also benefit from RocaJunyent's strength in collective redundancies and labour law litigation. In addition to advising corporate clients from the banking and finance and manufacturing sectors, the firm enjoys a strong standing in union-related work.