Former Merck & Co. Top International Employment Counsel Bolsters Expertise
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM May 9, 2012– L&E Global: Employers’ Counsel Worldwide, a leading international network of elite employment boutique firms, is pleased to announce two significant developments: the addition of Austrian law firm Gerlach Rechtsanwalte to its roster and John Sander, the former Merck & Co. Chief Counsel, joining the American firm, Jackson Lewis, as a Partner.
Stephan Swinkels, Executive Director of L&E Global, says, “May is shaping up to be an exciting month for L&E Global. Not only are we welcoming one of the most prominent law firms in Europe to our Alliance, but we have acquired a seasoned international employment law resource from one of the largest corporations in the world. Both developments add ‘bench strength’ to our group and expand our ability to offer truly integrated solutions in the global marketplace.“
Described by Chambers & Partners as a “fixture at the top of the Austrian legal market,” Gerlach Rechtsanwälte’s competence incorporates all aspects of employment law. Partner Roland Gerlach has successfully built a portfolio of corporate clients and advises them on long-term strategy, as well as day-to-day employment matters, and represents them in court, when necessary. He is widely admired by competitors as one of the leaders in the field and is further described in Chambers & Partners as, “...always having his clients' interests at heart and to cut sensible deals."
John Sander joins L&E Global member firm Jackson Lewis from Merck & Co. Inc. where, as Vice President and Associate General Counsel, he managed all employment and labor matters outside the U.S. after its merger with Schering Plough in 2009. While at Schering Plough, he managed the group for employment, labor, and immigration law within the U.S. and globally. John will play a prominent role in the L&E Global organization.
Each of L&E Global’s fourteen member firms concentrates its practice on employment law, employee benefits, labor relations, workplace privacy, and immigration, and each firm is recognized by clients and legal organizations as a leader in these fields. Including Gerlach Rechtsanwälte, the other member firms of the L&E Global alliance are (Canada) Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti; (France) Flichy Grange Avocats; (Australia) Harmers Workplace Lawyers; (United States) Jackson Lewis LLP; (Italy) Studio Legale Failla Rotondi & Partners (LABLAW); (Mexico) Natividad Abogados; (Netherlands) Palthe Oberman; (Germany) Pusch Wahlig Legal;
(Poland) A. Sobczyk & Wspó³pracownicy; (Spain) Bufete Suárez de Vivero, S.L.; (New Zealand) Swarbrick Beck Mackinnon; (Norway) Storeng, Beck & Due; and (Belgium) Van Olmen || Wynant.
About L&E Global:
L&E Global, an international integrated alliance of premier labor and employment law boutiques, exclusively focuses on providing counsel on cross-border labor and employment issues. The alliance operates in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. Founded in 2011, they have rapidly gained prominence in the international employment law arena and were designated the “Cross Border Law Firm of the Year” by Lawyer Monthly. In March 2012, the Alliance was named Leading Employment Law Network in Chamber & Partners Spotlight and commended as, “…The firms are recognized as premier exponents in the market and offer a worldwide service in more than 50 offices across the globe.”
L&E Global member firms offer deep experience in a broad array of sectors and markets, including financial and insurance services, high tech, pharmaceutical, telecommunications and information services, luxury goods, retail and energy.
For more information on L&E Global, please visit http://leglobal.org/.
For more information, please contact:
Stephan C. Swinkels, LL.M.; MBA
Executive Director
L&E Global
T: +32 2 64 32 633
F: +31 6 523 25 531
Email: stephan.swinkels@leglobal.org