Olivier Rijckaert
SotraBoutique firm Sotra maintains a ‘very professional and specialised’ team that acts for corporate and public sector clients across the full breadth of social and employment law. In addition to advising on routine employment matters such as individual dismissals and collective bargaining, the team is also capable of handling the contentious and non-contentious aspects of company policy roll-outs, TUPE and restructuring projects, and disciplinary investigations. Practice head Olivier Rijckaert is noted for his dismissal and union negotiation expertise, while Marian Dewaersegger stands out for her ability to represent clients in contentious matters. Jonathan De Wilde frequently leads on public sector work, while Noël Lambert handles work for clients in the healthcare sector.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘I personally work most with Marian Dewaersegger, who is a really competent social lawyer and has built credibility with our social partners and management. She has a real customer focus and delivers on time. She will also not shy away from challenging us as she deems necessary.’
‘Sotra is a team of lawyers who are very professional and specialised in social law. They have great expertise which supports our international company. We can easily and quickly contact Sotra if needed.’
‘We have worked with Olivier Rijckaert and with Valentin Hanquet. Both have a lot of knowledge and experience in social law. I trust their analysis and I follow their advice.’
‘What makes this firm unique for me is the speed with which it reacts to requests, the quality of its answers/analyses, the relevance of its interventions, and above all the fact that it knows us in terms of personnel and activities.’
‘Olivier Rijckaert and Valentin Hanquet have both theoretical and practical knowledge of social legislation. They do their utmost to find the best solution for us, while always reminding us of the risks, advantages and disadvantages.’
‘Marian Dewaersegger consistently provides an outstanding service. She is a lawyer that doesn’t only sees the law but also tries to assess a particular situation from all angles (including social and financial). This, again, is done whilst keeping a human-centric approach. Marian is also excellent at giving different scenarios and allows a reflection from the client too.’
‘It is very special to work with them because they have prompt knowledge in complex labour laws and are also very familiar with the retail sector.’
‘Strong collaboration and coherence between the associates and partners, very good follow-up, easy and rapid interaction, efficient.’
Key clients
- Cimenteries CBR
- Province de Hainaut
- Talent.Brussels
- Centre Hospitalier Jean Titeca
- Touring
- ASL Airlines
- Gefco Benelux
- Viridaxis
- ikanbi
- Cost Association
- Analis
- Atradius
- Dstny
- Akkodis
Work highlights
- Assisted Cimenteries CBR with all its employment matters on a day-to-day basis, including strategic advice regarding its dealings with works council and union representation within the company, drafting of CBAs, and individual dismissal cases.
- Represented Talent.Brussels in seven disputes before the administrative court regarding the appointment of several top-managers in the Brussels administration.
- Assisted Gefco, a French international industrial logistics company, with the closing of a branch of activities, involving a collective dismissal of ca. 50 employees.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Marian Dewaersegger
SotraPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Olivier Rijckaert