Employment & Immigration

The Greek labor market is characterized by a complex and rapidly changing regulatory framework making Employment Law compliance an area of critical importance. Our clients rely on our in-depth knowledge of EU and national legislation, as well as on our ability to identify and keep on pace with current industry trends and market practice.

Our Employment Law team consists of outstanding and dedicated lawyers with extensive expertise in the sector and a deep understanding of the most recent developments and the clients’ needs, providing specialized and targetted services focusing on:

  • the structuring of innovative solutions in connection with complex matters (e.g. complex takeovers, restructurings etc.),
  • the implementation of projects that, due to high importance, require an equally high level of expertise, legal due diligence capacity and know-how, as well as adequate resources (e.g. due diligence on complex labour issues, negotiating key management contracts, implementing extensive redundancy schemes),
  • the provision of advice on issues that are new and untested (e.g. new forms of employment, adaptation to new legislation etc.).

We also advise businesses and individuals on complex immigration issues, coordinating the entire process, from transfer of staff across international operations to hiring migrant workers. We have a long standing cooperation with global law firms, as well as with local subsidiaries of multinational companies, on immigration matters and have received a number of mandates to assist in the process of the issuance of various types of residence permits, which we have completed to the client’s satisfaction.

Our team always works seamlessly with other departments within our Firm – including our Regulatory, Corporate, Intellectual Property and Data Protection departments – aiming to provide holistic advice.

Services

Our team of expert Employment & Immigration lawyers provides high quality services, covering diverse client needs.

Drafting, negotiation and amending of employment contracts
Preparing sophisticated employment agreement templates that aim to address holistically all issues in the relationship between employer and employee, while maintaining the required flexibility.  Also, negotiating complex contracts with executives.

Compensation and benefits
Advising on executive compensation based on the Greek market practice in line with the remuneration policies applying to each sector and assisting on the drafting of special incentive schemes (stock option plan etc.).      

Termination of employment contracts
Our services include settlement efforts, pre-litigation strategy, risk assessment, severance calculation, negotiations with the employee. In case of no agreement, we assume implementation of the unilateral termination. In case of a mutually agreed termination, we provide drafting and negotiation of the relevant contract with focus on release from liability and non-compete/ no solicitation/ confidentiality arrangements.

Workforce restructuring and collective redundancies
Advising on the legal framework, designing the strategy, assessing the legal options available and their practical limits, conducting preliminary negotiation with the stakeholders (mainly unions and/ or key influential employees), assessing other types of limitations affecting the potential redundancies (e.g. already obtained subsidies that require minimum number of employees), examining  outplacement options and alternative measures, preparing informational package, assisting on the consultation process, implementing fair and objective selection criteria (avoiding potential discrimination issues), drafting the relevant legal documentation, preparing for potential litigation, drafting and collecting the corporate authorizations for the implementation of the scheme (e.g. board approvals etc), liaising with the competent authorities, addressing data privacy issues, implementing the scheme and following-up on the paperwork, maximizing the unemployment benefits, addressing tax issues, participating in other relevant project workstreams (e.g. PR and HR), notifying the authorities, assisting the business in its transition to the new restructured status and general wrapping up.

Application of new corporate policies
We mainly draft the work regulations and codes of conduct while ensuring that the employer maintains maximum flexibility, regarding the “director’s right” limits and that full compliance with the relevant legislation is always achieved.

Assistance to collective bargaining
Providing advice on the legal regime, assisting on negotiations, preparing legal documentation, assisting in the effective implementation of all such agreements.

Due diligence reviews on employment issues
Conducting full analysis on all potential Labour Law issues in the target company.

Privacy and Data protection issues
Assisting to achieve full GDPR compliance, assessing the compliance in the cases of due diligence on targets.

General compliance assistance
Providing regular advice to the HR department in connection with Labour Law, issues such as time schedules, overtime working, leave days, work from home, COVID-19 effects to employment status etc.

Advice on M&A structuring
Focusing on issues arising out of the transfer of undertakings and the application of the TUPE provisions including thorough advice on the effect of TUPE and the notification and consultation obligations burdening the employer.

Employment related mediation and litigation
Advising and representing our clients before all national courts of any instance in full range of individual and collective employment/labour conflicts.

We advise national and multinational companies as well as executive employees of any sector, including banking institutions, pharmaceutical companies, telecommunication companies, luxury retailers, insurance companies etc.

  • Advising a major systemic bank on TUPE issues in the context of the envisaged hive down of its banking sector.
  • Advising a major international Group of companies in the retail sector on the Greek law related elements of the group restructuring and internal separation and transfer of business assets focusing on the TUPE issues/application.
  • Advising a concession company on the concession of the exclusive right to own, use, administer, operate and exploit a marina focusing on the arising employment issues and TUPE application.
  • Advising a major multinational pharmaceutical company on redrafting of the Internal Work Regulation and of the standard employment agreements and on conducting various employee terminations.
  • Advising a major bank on termination of the agreements of the ex-management team as well as of other key employees through mutual or unilateral termination and drafting special, high-level, employment agreements for the new management.
  • Advising a Greek insurance company (affiliate of a major insurance group of companies) in connection with the reorganization of the company, including redundancies and amendment of existing executive employment and work/ independent services’ agreements.
  • Advising a foreign client in connection with the sale of an IT giant’s global feature phone business to the client on TUPE provisions focusing on negotiations and consultations with employees’ representatives.
  • Advising Bloomberg Limited Liability Company / Genesis Pharma S.A. / ADAC Service Hellas S.A. / Zadig&Voltaire S.A.  / Chopard S.A.  / Bosch Siemens Hausgeräte IKIAKES SYSKEVES S.A. / Nordex Energy GmbH – Nordex Hellas in connection with day-to-day various labour issues, including collective bargaining, working policies, structure of salaries and benefits, working time, dismissals, litigation, extrajudicial negotiations, reorganisations and outsourcing.
  • Advising Excite Holidays S.A. in connection with day-to-day various labour issues, including working policies, drafting of employment agreements, working time, litigation, extrajudicial negotiations.
  • Advising Executive employees (including CEOs) of dominant multinational companies, banking institutions, Greek bank’s subsidiaries and investment funds in connection with the drafting of their employment agreements, their dismissal or resignation, their participation in voluntary exit plans, their salary’s and benefits’ structure, their participation in stock option plans and special pension plans.
  • Advising and assisting an international aerospace and defence company in the issuance of dozens of national interest and other type of visas and residence permits for personnel of the client that shall be stationed in Greece to support a multimillion defence contract.
  • Advising a host of clients on immigration law matters indicatively including a global management consulting firm, a multinational aerospace conglomerate that produces commercial, military, executive and agricultural aircraft, a multinational provider of manufacturing services for the handset and wireless communication industries, a leading global alternative investment adviser, as well as a global law firm on paralegal work placement schemes.

WHO TO CONTACT

Koutalidis Law Firm Celebrates Top Ranking in Chambers and Partners Global 2024

We are delighted to share that Koutalidis Law Firm has once again been recognized as a top-ranked firm in the prestigious Chambers and Partners Global 2024 rankings. This marks yet another year where our commitment to legal excellence and our dedication to serving our clients at the highest level have→

Koutalidis Law Firm has been shortlisted for the Chambers Europe Awards 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Koutalidis Law Firm has been shortlisted for the prestigious Chambers Europe Awards 2024! This recognition is a testament to our team’s hard work, dedication, and the strong standing we have in the legal market. The ceremony is set to take place on Thursday, 25 April at→

Koutalidis Law Firm’s Website Wins Gold Award for UX/UI Design

We are delighted to announce that Koutalidis Law Firm’s website has won the Gold Award for UX/UI Design in the B2B Website category at the 2023 UX/CX Awards. This prestigious recognition was made possible with the invaluable support and expertise of gnc | web and George Chouliaras, whose contributions were→

K.Protopapa & E.Papoutsi recognized as Women Leaders by IFLR1000

We are proud to announce that two of our esteemed female partners have been recognized by IFLR1000 in their 2023 edition, one of the most prestigious legal directories in the world. Katia Protopapa, Partner and Head of our M&A practice along with Effie Papoutsi, Partner of our Banking & Finance→

Koutalidis Law Firm Shines once again in IFLR1000’s 2023 Rankings

We are elated to share that the much-anticipated IFLR1000 rankings for 2023 have been unveiled, and Koutalidis Law Firm has made its mark yet again. Our firm has been honored with a Tier 1 ranking, underscoring our unwavering commitment to providing top-notch legal services. This year’s research by IFLR1000 featured→

Koutalidis Law Firm is listed in the 2nd of The Legal 500’s EMEA Green Guide.

Koutalidis Law Firm is selected and listed in the second edition of The Legal 500’s EMEA Green Guide. The guide refers to some of the key firms engaging with energy and sustainability projects in the EMEA region. As Koutalidis is currently advising on a pipeline of RES projects with a→

Koutalidis Law Firm is Top Ranked once again on Chambers & Partners Europe 2023 rankings

Chambers & Partners Europe rankings have been announced and Koutalidis Law Firm is once again Top Ranked! This achievement demonstrates the commitment, integrity, and service excellence of our team members as we always seek to deliver impeccable legal advice. More specifically our clients mentioned, Banking & Finance: “They have a→

Koutalidis Law Firm is recognized on IFLR’s shortlist for its 2023 Europe Awards

Koutalidis Law Firm is delighted to be recognized on IFLR’s shortlist for its 2023 Europe Awards. Judged independently by IFLR’s editorial team, the awards focus exclusively on legal innovation in cross-border transactions that reached a financial close in 2022. The winning deals, law firms and in-house legal teams will be→

Koutalidis Law Firm is ranked as a Top Firm by Chambers and Partners Global in their 2023 Guide

Koutalidis Law Firm is ranked as a Top Firm by Chambers and Partners Global in their 2023 Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers for Business. More specifically Chambers review states, “Koutalidis is highly sought after by domestic and international lenders for capital markets and financing mandates. The firm regularly advises→

Koutalidis Law Firm Celebrates Top Ranking in Chambers and Partners Global 2024

We are delighted to share that Koutalidis Law Firm has once again been recognized as a top-ranked firm in the prestigious Chambers and Partners Global 2024 rankings. This marks yet another year where our commitment to legal excellence and our dedication to serving our clients at the highest level have→

Koutalidis Law Firm has been shortlisted for the Chambers Europe Awards 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Koutalidis Law Firm has been shortlisted for the prestigious Chambers Europe Awards 2024! This recognition is a testament to our team’s hard work, dedication, and the strong standing we have in the legal market. The ceremony is set to take place on Thursday, 25 April at→

Koutalidis Law Firm’s Website Wins Gold Award for UX/UI Design

We are delighted to announce that Koutalidis Law Firm’s website has won the Gold Award for UX/UI Design in the B2B Website category at the 2023 UX/CX Awards. This prestigious recognition was made possible with the invaluable support and expertise of gnc | web and George Chouliaras, whose contributions were→

K.Protopapa & E.Papoutsi recognized as Women Leaders by IFLR1000

We are proud to announce that two of our esteemed female partners have been recognized by IFLR1000 in their 2023 edition, one of the most prestigious legal directories in the world. Katia Protopapa, Partner and Head of our M&A practice along with Effie Papoutsi, Partner of our Banking & Finance→

Koutalidis Law Firm Shines once again in IFLR1000’s 2023 Rankings

We are elated to share that the much-anticipated IFLR1000 rankings for 2023 have been unveiled, and Koutalidis Law Firm has made its mark yet again. Our firm has been honored with a Tier 1 ranking, underscoring our unwavering commitment to providing top-notch legal services. This year’s research by IFLR1000 featured→

Koutalidis Law Firm is listed in the 2nd of The Legal 500’s EMEA Green Guide.

Koutalidis Law Firm is selected and listed in the second edition of The Legal 500’s EMEA Green Guide. The guide refers to some of the key firms engaging with energy and sustainability projects in the EMEA region. As Koutalidis is currently advising on a pipeline of RES projects with a→

Koutalidis Law Firm is Top Ranked once again on Chambers & Partners Europe 2023 rankings

Chambers & Partners Europe rankings have been announced and Koutalidis Law Firm is once again Top Ranked! This achievement demonstrates the commitment, integrity, and service excellence of our team members as we always seek to deliver impeccable legal advice. More specifically our clients mentioned, Banking & Finance: “They have a→

Koutalidis Law Firm is recognized on IFLR’s shortlist for its 2023 Europe Awards

Koutalidis Law Firm is delighted to be recognized on IFLR’s shortlist for its 2023 Europe Awards. Judged independently by IFLR’s editorial team, the awards focus exclusively on legal innovation in cross-border transactions that reached a financial close in 2022. The winning deals, law firms and in-house legal teams will be→

Koutalidis Law Firm is ranked as a Top Firm by Chambers and Partners Global in their 2023 Guide

Koutalidis Law Firm is ranked as a Top Firm by Chambers and Partners Global in their 2023 Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers for Business. More specifically Chambers review states, “Koutalidis is highly sought after by domestic and international lenders for capital markets and financing mandates. The firm regularly advises→

Koutalidis Law Firm Celebrates Top Ranking in Chambers and Partners Global 2024

We are delighted to share that Koutalidis Law Firm has once again been recognized as→

Read More
Koutalidis Law Firm has been shortlisted for the Chambers Europe Awards 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Koutalidis Law Firm has been shortlisted for the prestigious Chambers Europe→

Read More
Koutalidis Law Firm’s Website Wins Gold Award for UX/UI Design

We are delighted to announce that Koutalidis Law Firm’s website has won the Gold Award→

Read More
K.Protopapa & E.Papoutsi recognized as Women Leaders by IFLR1000

We are proud to announce that two of our esteemed female partners have been recognized→

Read More
Koutalidis Law Firm Shines once again in IFLR1000’s 2023 Rankings

We are elated to share that the much-anticipated IFLR1000 rankings for 2023 have been unveiled,→

Read More
Koutalidis Law Firm is listed in the 2nd of The Legal 500’s EMEA Green Guide.

Koutalidis Law Firm is selected and listed in the second edition of The Legal 500’s→

Read More
Koutalidis Law Firm is Top Ranked once again on Chambers & Partners Europe 2023 rankings

Chambers & Partners Europe rankings have been announced and Koutalidis Law Firm is once again→

Read More
Koutalidis Law Firm is recognized on IFLR’s shortlist for its 2023 Europe Awards

Koutalidis Law Firm is delighted to be recognized on IFLR’s shortlist for its 2023 Europe→

Read More
Koutalidis Law Firm is ranked as a Top Firm by Chambers and Partners Global in their 2023 Guide

Koutalidis Law Firm is ranked as a Top Firm by Chambers and Partners Global in→

Read More