Employment: Denmark

The employment team at Bech-Bruun remains a leading player and represents an impressive corporate client list including A.P. Moller - Maersk, The Danish Ship Owners' Association, Intel, IBM, Microsoft and Accenture. The highly respected practice has been significantly strengthened by the arrival of Mette Klingsten from Abel & Skovgård Larsen, who sources say "brings a personal touch and makes things easy for clients.” Bjarke Vejby is commended for his “thorough and creative” advice; his recent work includes representing Amagerbanken before the Supreme Court in a claim by retired bank employees for proportional compensation of shares. Clients describe Morten Ulrich as “more than willing to discuss and very quick to respond.” He successfully represented leading Danish telecoms company TDC before the Supreme Court in a case regarding pension contributions in connection with a downsizing. Jette Ronøe is recognised for her expertise regarding stock options and has advised many international companies. She recently conducted a noted case concerning the valuation of stock options before the Supreme Court.

Kromann Reumert has made significant recent additions to its employment team, which now numbers four partners and 12 associates. Partners Marianne Granhøj and Jens Lund Mosbek arrived from Norrbom Vinding, whilst rising star Tina Brøgger Sørensen moved from Plesner in early 2009. Granhøj is "experienced and knowledgeable, with very good judgement," according to clients, whilst incentive schemes specialist Sørensen is seen as "very practical – we always manage to find a reasonable solution with her." The group has been busy with a number of test cases before the Danish courts, as well as providing advice on restructuring, downsizing and collective dismissals. Commentators agree that the hallmark of the practice is its high-quality, value-added service: “The lawyers meet our deadlines and expectations; they are definitely good value for money.” Of the team's longer-standing members, Helene Amsinck maintains her reputation as one of the leading employment lawyers in Denmark. “She has an energy about her which makes her stand out,” say sources. She won a Supreme Court case regarding interpretation of the Danish Act on Employment Particulars and also assisted DONG Energy in connection with the company’s acquisition of A2Sea. Clients appreciate the personal attention that Claus Juel Hansen gives them, saying “no issue is too small for him, despite his seniority.” He was successful in two different test cases in the Maritime & Commercial Court, acting for Cisco Linksys KiSS and Encorium Denmark.

A dedicated employment firm, Norrbom Vinding is applauded for the “high-quality specialised advice” it delivers, and is widely regarded by peers as an “absolute standout” for its comprehensive expertise and experience. The team has an excellent reputation for litigation, presenting many cases at Supreme Court level, and also focuses on restructuring processes, discrimination matters and collective bargaining agreements. Mariann Norrbom is held in high esteem both in Denmark and internationally, and is particularly renowned for her work in the financial sector. Sources say she “always gets the very best results for her clients.” Jørgen Vinding has the ability to deliver “legally sound advice with a commercial and pragmatic edge.” He recently assisted Local Government Denmark and Post Danmark in landmark cases before the Supreme Court. Morten Langer is highly respected for his work in restructurings, collective redundancies and individual contracts. He is praised for being "business-oriented, quick and always available.” Clients highlight Christian Clasen's excellent knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and have confidence in his ability to understand their business needs: “He has a great ability to see the legal aspects from the client's point of view.”

This team saw a shift in focus from transactional work to providing support on issues such as collective dismissal and insolvency over the past year. It assisted with dissolutions of the service agreements for the CEOs of Løkken Sparekasse and Spar Mors; other clients include GN Store Nord, Cadbury and HSH Nordbank. Sources praise the team’s reliability, saying: “The lawyers have integrity and work with a sense of urgency and diligence; they have a deep understanding of the practical needs of the business.” The team continues to develop under the leadership of Jacob Sand, who is viewed by peers as a “very bright lawyer with an excellent legal background.” Nina Wedsted is praised for her courtroom skills. She recently handled employee-related issues for Sterling Airlines and Griffin Ejendomme.

Horten's standalone employment practice consists of ten dedicated employment lawyers, and is, say market observers, very much "on the up." The practice is strengthened by the global opportunities offered by its co-operation with DLA Piper, and accordingly assists a range of international clients. Clients are very pleased with the "fabulous service" they receive from the "very skilled" team. Finn Schwarz is a well-regarded author, media expert and arbitrator in the field, as well as acting as counsel on several large and sensitive employment matters. Erik Wendelboe Christiansen has wide knowledge of employment law, with specific expertise in stock options and non-competition clauses. He is admired for the strategic advice he provides and is “eager to fight for his clients and safeguard their positions,” say sources.

The 12-strong group at Plesner has focused on restructuring, outsourcing and insourcing of employees and large-scale redundancies in the past year. Highlights include assisting Texas Instruments, Hempel, and Infineon Technologies Denmark with large-scale redundancy programmes. On the transactional side the group worked on the divestment of Scandlines and the acquisition by the Norwegian Telenor and its Danish subsidiary Sonofon of Tele2. Clients appreciate the group’s commercial acumen, saying: “The lawyers really understand business and how it works – they don’t use legal jargon, which is very important to us.” Tina Reissmann leads the group and enjoys a strong reputation as a successful adviser to domestic and international CEOs for negotiating termination or redundancy agreements. Clients like her direct, businesslike approach and her pragmatic advice. Gitte Westall focuses on the structuring and procurement of employee warrants and other share-based or instrument-related incentive schemes. 

This compact employment team has experience in handling a variety of employment issues, and is described by clients as "very pragmatic and professional – always up to date with the latest changes in law and in practice." Recent highlights include representing Logstor in trade union negotiations over the takeover of assets and employees from Starpipe, and negotiating collective agreements relating to the Sterling airliner bankruptcy. Anne Kathrine Schøn heads the team and is respected for her business acumen combined with theorectial knowledge of a wide range of employment matters. Clients feel she is "totally responsive, smart and businesslike; she comes up with new ideas and creates value for the client."

This employment team is a product of the 2009 merger between Jonas Bruun and Hjejle Gersted Mogensen. The combination has resulted in a strong and very active operation that counts transactional work as a major focus point. Highlight matters include advising Technitrol and Pulse Engineering on the collective redundancies and restructuring following the acquisition of the Sonion Group.  Sources are pleased with practice leader Elise Ross-Hansen's wide knowledge of employment law and skilful negotiating. She recently assisted D/S NORDEN with a restructuring and rationalisation, including collective redundancy procedures.

A boutique employment firm with a strong emphasis on representing employees and trade unions, Elmer & Partners has great experience in actions against employers. The firm won several cases in the Supreme Court and the Maritime & Commercial Court last year, notably within the field of discrimination. The lawyers are well respected for their dynamic approach: “They have a torch in them – they really fight for their clients,” in one interviewee's words. Peers remark that Jacob Goldschmidt is “a really brilliant lawyer” who is doing “ground-breaking” work on bonuses and stock options. Peter Breum is well respected by peers for his experience in representing trade unions in a wide variety of cases.

This long-established Danish firm has experience in advising on a wide range of employment matters for domestic and international businesses. Clients appreciate the group’s direct approach: “They tell me what they think – they give the options, risks and consequences.” The impressive client roster includes Aldi, Abbott Laboratories, Nike, Hugo Boss and Volvo. As a result of the economic downturn, the team has handled a high volume of cases stemming from widespread terminations and dismissals. Head of department Nicole Offendal is praised for her concise advice and ability to focus in on the issues that matter to clients. Niels Henrik Nielsen advised Vejle Boldklub Elitefodbold on a high-profile case brought by the Danish Professional Football Players Association. He is commended for his strategic approach and his commercial acumen.

This firm forms part of the Magnusson network, with offices across the Baltic region. Head of the “responsive and straightforward” employment group in Copenhagen is Anders Etgen Reitz, under whose leadership substantial new clients such as Accenture, Dionex, GE Oil & Gas and Microsoft have been attracted. Sources say that Reitz “creates value for his clients by providing innovative advice and solutions." Recent work by the group has included advising on collective bargaining matters, misconduct investigation and global stock option plans. Clients appreciate the personal approach of the lawyers, saying that “they make even a small client feel like they are important.” Managing partner Anders Worsøe supplies day-to-day employment advice and was involved in a complex pan-Nordic restructuring project for LSG Sky Chefs.

This well-established practice is strengthened by its co-operation with Baker & McKenzie and provides “sound advice with a commercial and pragmatic edge.” It has extensive experience of advising international clients commencing and closing operations in Denmark. The firm continues to provide advice in connection with terminations, including collective redundancies, dispute resolution and collective agreements. Clients includes Brightpoint, Rambøll, Dansk Kapital Anlæg and Tia Technology. The team is commended for tailoring its services to suit clients' working practices; one source praised the “common understanding of values between our organisations.” Steen Rode is praised as responsive and commercially minded and respected for creating a positive working atmosphere with clients.