THE TEAM

Our Employment Practice Group has the global experience and local knowledge to handle all day-to-day employment issues that arise within companies. We also represent clients in complex matters such as collective lay-offs, closings, trade union negotiations, negotiations related to mergers and acquisitions and high profile employment litigations.
Our employment lawyers work closely together with colleagues in BakerMcKenzie offices around the world to give clients commercially pragmatic, tailor-made solutions to help them effectively manage their workforces.
We want to offer our clients advice which is ahead of the curve and pragmatic. Our demand of each lawyer is as high as our clients’ expectations, that is why we invest continuously in developing and training our legal talent.
We offer a stimulating work environment with an open, friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere, as well as commitment to personal and professional development and excellent training.

KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate all or the majority of the following:

• Master of Laws from a Belgian University
• Strong academic track record
• Excellent command of English, Dutch and French
• High quality work standards
• Strong client-service orientation
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work well both in a team and individually

THE ROLE

This is an excellent opportunity for a junior associate to join a team that is recognised as one of the leading Employment law teams in Belgium, and one that gives pragmatic, commercial advice in a business-friendly way. Associates work in a professional environment, for a range of partners, and can expect a good variety of work.
We can offer a breadth of work and the successful candidate will be involved in and have a focus on the whole range of individual and collective employment law matters including employment litigation work. This role would suit someone who, in addition to the technical skills, has the ability to drive the business forward and develop strong client relationships.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advising clients on a wide range of complex employment matters often on an international basis including :
• Advise on day to day individual and collective labour law matters
• Individual and Collective dismissals and restructurings
• Advice in relation to employment contracts, management services agreements and consultancy related contracts for executive hiring, including corporate governance aspects
• Employment aspects of integration post-acquisition harmonisation and other corporate projects
• Labor relations with employee representative bodies
• Employment Litigation
• Executive compensation & employee benefits
• Equity matters
• Developing relationships with clients including gaining a good knowledge of the client’s businesses, economic drivers, and market and sector requirements in order to ensure the advice is relevant and commercial.
• Associates are given regular and direct contact with clients depending on their level of responsibility.
• Engaging in business development activities, being active in the promotion of the firm, and seeking new opportunities.
• Working as part of a team includes taking an active part in sharing knowledge and experience within the team.
• There are regular opportunities for secondments with clients and to other offices under the firm’s associate exchange programme.