Employment

AEL lawyers have set up a “Special Interest Group” (SIG) for this practice area, called “Employment”. This SIG enables all members to meet and exchange ideas and expertise as well as produce a wide range of educational programs and materials, thus allowing clients to benefit from this collective expertise.

The Employment SIG is one of the more active SIGs in the AEL network, with participation from 23 member firms, of which about 12 firms form the core of the group. The SIG is convened by Ben Smith at Charles Russell Speechlys.

Lawyers in the group advise on all aspects of employment and labour law, from non-contentious drafting of contracts and policies and advising on day-to-day employment issues, to representing clients in employment litigation, whether that relates to contractual disputes, dismissals or discrimination claims. Lawyers also advise on restructures and reorganisations, as well as supporting corporate transactions, including those with a cross-border element.

The SIG holds an annual conference, which historically has always been very successful and much valued as an opportunity to make and maintain strong contacts between members, and also keeps in touch through regular telephone conference calls. Whilst it values the sharing of knowledge between members, the group’s main focus is on business development and marketing.