At Linklaters, restructuring, transaction-related employment issues, crisis management, compliance and company pension schemes stand at the heart of its practice; in the latter area, ongoing advice plays as much a role as disputes and transaction-related issues pertaining to pension buyouts. Financial services industry expert and practice head Matthew Devey advises on carve-outs, outsourcing transactions, business transfers and company pension issues and is thereby increasingly active in cross-border matters. He is supported, among others, by Timon Grau, who is experienced in litigation and advising governing bodies. Peter Gumnior (advising financial services players on contract drafting and compensation issues) joined Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in February 2024.

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Highest competence, quality and reliability paired with excellent comprehension and pragmatic solution finding for very complex topics and problems.'

  • 'Matthew Devey is the best employment lawyer I have worked with in recent years. He is a very competent, intelligent, approachable and reliable lawyer coupled with a great personality.'
  • 'Yukiko Hitzelberger-Kijima is a very competent lawyer who provided us with excellent support in our very complex employment law matter.'
  • 'Comprehensive knowledge of both individual and collective employment law, including implementation in company agreements.'

  • 'Yukiko Hitzelberger-Kijima answers quickly and accurately.'

  • 'Always very friendly and motivated. Very collegial interaction and established trusting cooperation.'

  • 'Very well organized and competent in every respect. Experts are available for all important areas of law.'

  • 'Always very friendly and motivated. Very collegial and almost friendly interaction, you are part of the team. Very competent and always approachable, even outside normal working hours.'

Work highlights

  • Advising Carrier Global Corporation on employment law on its takeover of Viessmann Climate Solutions.
  • Advising Audi AG on employment law in connection with its entry into Formula 1, including the establishment and equipping of the Formula 1 company with an operational business and the transfer of the personnel who will work for the Power Unit in the future.
  • Advising Uniper SE on corporate governance and novel remuneration issues as part of the federal rescue package. Employment law aspects included questions of contractual and new legal remuneration requirements (EnSiG) for the board of directors, board members of group companies, the supervisory board and executives.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Matthew Devey