CMS fields a ‘long-established and notable‘ employment practice, composed of a dedicated team of labour law specialists. The practice spans the full gamut of employment matters, from day-to-day support, to representation in international investigations, to HR aspects of outsourcing, restructuring and M&A transactions. Recent growth has seen the team take on new clients from the TMT, manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries. Employment-related data protection matters and GDPR compliance have become increasingly active areas for the group. Practice head Andreas Köhler has over 20 years’ experience working across the CEE region, with a particular focus on employment matters for German, Austrian and Swiss clients. Boglárka Peszeki ‘stands out’, strengthening the team’s international reach with her strong track record in cross-border employment matters, including contracts, policies and litigation. György Bálint boasts almost 20 years’ experience in employment litigation. Gabriella Ormai retired in May 2023.

The employment team at DLA Piper Posztl, Nemescsói, Györfi-Tóth and Partners Law Firm advises on internal policies, trade union matters and various public proceedings. The team continues to expand its client base, advising major new names from the aviation, manufacturing, retail and life sciences sectors, and also noted a recent increase in mandates related to harassment claims. The group provides cross-practice support, assisting with the employment aspects of acquisitions and restructurings. ‘Responsive, pragmatic and trusted advisor‘ Helga Fehér heads the group, with a focus on commercial contracts. Sára Tenke leads the team’s labour litigation practice, with particular expertise in termination of employment cases. Réka Reisz also plays an active role in labour litigation work.

Led by Ákos Fehérváry, the employment team at Hegymegi-Barakonyi and Fehérváry Baker&McKenzie Attorneys-at-Law supports clients throughout the entire lifecycle of relevant projects, regularly assisting with labour law issues arising from cross-border transactions. The team expertly handles labour and compliance investigations, and is well versed in providing representation in legal proceedings. The group’s expertise also covers collective employment and labour-related data privacy issues. Its client base spans multiple jurisdictions, with a particular focus on major players from the automotive, IT and pharmaceuticals sectors. Leveraging his experience as a transactional specialist, Ferenc Dávid advises on the employment aspects of outsourcing, reorganisations and M&A deals, as well as providing day-to-day support from an employment perspective. Nóra Óváry-Papp regularly advises on immigration matters.

A one-stop shop for clients based in Hungary, across the CEE region, and those with global operations, the employment team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners is regularly instructed by companies from the IT, logistics and automotive industries. The group’s contentious practice spans all employment-related disputes, and is well versed in both litigation and mediation. The group works in tandem with the data protection and privacy departments to advise on social media use and GDPR issues, and regularly advises on the employment aspects of corporate transactions, such as restructurings and M&A deals. Practice head Éva Bognár has over 20 years’ experience in the full range of employment matters, from restructuring schemes and redundancy programmes to labour disputes. Specialising in management contracts and employment litigation, Katalin Losonci brings over 15 years’ experience to the team. Petra Rózsahegyi advises corporations on employment frameworks, including agreements, contracts and TUPE.

Szecskay Attorneys at Law‘s ‘excellent and deep knowledge‘ of labour law saw the employment team continue to support clients in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, advising on the employee aspects of reorganisations and related regulations. The group fields an established contentious practice, spanning breaches of contract and damages claims. Zoltán Balázs Kovács took over as practice head, following the departure of Hédi Bozsonyik to Bozsonyik-Fodor in March 2023. Kovács’ expertise encompasses the full range of employment law issues, in particular relevant data protection matters.  Judit Szórádi, who works with both Hungarian and foreign clients on local and cross-border employment matters, strengthens the team’s international offering. Adrienn Tar supports clients with their day-to-day operations, while Katalin Grósz focuses on employment litigation. Emil Szabó, Máté Kiss, Dániel Bihary, Viktória Cseh and Bence Molnár are also key names to note.

Composed of ‘experts with a deep knowledge in labour law‘, the employment team at VJT & Partners handles the gamut of contentious and non-contentious matters. The group’s strong contentious practice sees the team represent clients before the Constitutional Court and the Hungarian Supreme Court in matters ranging from terminations to internal investigations and whistleblowing cases. With a growing list of both Hungarian and multinational clients, the practice counts both employers and executive employees among its clientele. András Lovretity leads the team alongside Zoltán Csernus; the latter has over 18 years of experience in the employment sector and is praised for his ‘clear and high quality‘ advice. With over 23 years’ experience, János Tamás Varga counts major companies with operations across Hungary as regular clients.

Fielding a roster of ‘high quality professionals’, the team at Andrékó Ferenczi Kinstellar handles the full gamut of employment matters, from employee transfers to labour settlements and disputes. The practice continues to expand its service offering, advising on an increasing number of collective employment, immigration law-related and whistleblowing matters. The group remains an established choice for companies in the industrial and automotive industries, as well as boasting particular expertise in the IT and pharmaceutical spheres. Dániel Péter leads the team and was promoted to managing associate in April 2023. Szilágyi Szabolcs focuses on the establishment and termination of employment, while Ákos Nagy specialises in employee share schemes, a recent area of increased focus.

The employment team at Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm provides its clients with ‘exceptional knowledge and attention to detail’. The practice continues to add to its multinational client base, advising a range of foreign investors and Hungarian corporates. Employment-related litigation is another of the team’s focus areas, and the group represents employers as well as senior management in various cases. With over 19 years’ experience in both contentious and non-contentious labour matters, Gábor Damjanovic leads the team. Ákos Balázs also brings extensive experience to the practice, with particular expertise in business immigration matters.

With a recent influx of new clients, the employment team at KCG Partners Law Firm saw an increase in mandates related to international mobility issues and the relocation of employees. The practice handles a variety of contentious matters, and is also involved in collective redundancies and large-scale reorganisations. Levente Csengery and Rita Párkányi jointly lead the group; with over 20 years’ experience in employment law, the former is experienced in the establishment and operation of ESOP programs, while the latter brings extensive knowledge of employee data processing to the team. Borbála Maglai, who joined the team from Lohn Law Firm in April 2023, brings employment and immigration litigation experience to the firm. Eszter Ila-Horváth focuses on TUPE laws, terminations and data protection issues.

Oppenheim Ugyvedi Iroda’s employment practice supports banking, construction, manufacturing and telecoms clients throughout the lifecycle of transactions, advising on employment policies and programmes from due diligence to integration. The practice is experienced in collective labour issues, including wage agreements, strikes and employment-related litigation. With over 20 years of experience in employment law, Zsolt Cselédi has built up the team into a one-stop shop, supporting clients across a full range of labour matters and providing representation before the Hungarian Supreme Court. Cselédi is capably supported by Lívia Mihovics.

Sándor Szegedi Szent-Ivány Komáromi Eversheds Sutherland advises its diverse clientele on the full range of HR and employment issues, covering home office and whistleblowing matters, as well as internal policy and data protection issues. With strong cross-border capabilities, the group offers immigration advice related to the relocation of expat employees. The practice also covers contentious matters, representing clients in both labour disputes and out-of-court settlements. Practice co-head Katalin Varga has extensive experience in HR and data protection issues, and regularly handles termination and collective redundancy disputes. Varga splits leadership of the team with Ágnes Szent-Ivány.

From terminations and mass dismissals to internal policies and data handling, the employment team at Siegler Bird & Bird Ügyvédi Iroda advises on the full gamut of both individual and collective employment issues. The practice has strong cross-border capabilities, advising global companies with Hungarian subsidiaries on employee transfers and business immigration issues. The team’s established contentious practice handles labour disputes and litigation, as well as investigations and trade union matters. Practice head Zoltán Tarján is praised for his ‘outstanding problem-solving skills and pragmatic approach‘. Karim Laribi advises multinational companies on cross-border employment matters. As head of the firm’s corporate and M&A practice, Pál Szabó provides support with the employment aspects of significant transactions.

The employment team at bnt attorneys in CEE is known for providing HR advice with a particular focus on multinational companies based in Germany. The group demonstrates sector-specific expertise across the automotive, life science and retail industries and has recently increased its focus on the IT industry. ‘Excellent’ practice head Éva Ratatics is an expert in collective employment matters, including collective bargaining with trade unions and works councils. Ratatics is supported by Katalin Kiss, who comes ‘highly recommended’ by clients, and András Szabó, who advises on domestic and cross-border labour issues, social security and data protection matters.

Three partners head the employment team at Deloitte Legal Göndöcz and Partners Law Firm: Attila Kövesdy, Péter Göndöcz and Brigitta Gál. Göndöcz is noted for his corporate experience, and advises clients from the energy, telecoms and manufacturing sectors on employment aspects of M&A deals and restructurings. As an experienced tax lawyer, Kövesdy bolsters the team’s cross-practice expertise, working in tandem with tax and immigration experts. Gál handles terminations and collective redundancies, as well as HR and data protection policies. Lili Albert focuses on the digitalisation of HR documentation, while Helga Durst advises on cross-border matters, including employee postings and business transfers.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, the employment team at Dentons has supported clients with immigration advice and wage subsidiary schemes. More broadly, the practice handles contentious and non-contentious matters, on both an individual and collective basis, from employment agreements to large-scale dismissals and labour disputes. E-commerce has been a recent area of increased focus and the team’s multinational client base includes companies from the automotive, logistics and manufacturing sectors. Practice head Anita Horváth focuses on the employment aspects of M&A transactions.

From labour compliance issues, to employment contracts, to workplace disputes, KPMG Legal Tóásó Law Firm fields a comprehensive employment offering. The team is practiced at handling sensitive matters, including internal investigations, mass redundancies and individual dismissals. With a diverse and growing clientele, the practice has expanded its focus to include major names from the pharmaceutical sector. Employment law specialist Boglárka Kricskovics-Béli leads the team, bringing over 15 years’ experience advising on employee benefits, pensions, and global mobility to the role.

Four pillars make up the core practice of the employment team at Schoenherr Hetényi Ügyvédi Iroda: transactional support, day-to-day advice, standalone employment-related projects, and litigation. The team continues to expand its international client base, advising on global restructurings and M&A transactions. With almost 20 years’ experience, Dániel Gera leads the team and assists new entrants to the Hungarian market with employment matters, from compliance to internal reorganisations and terminations. Dorottya Gindl specialises on the crossover between employment law and data protection, advising on the handling of HR-related data, while Dóra Halmosi represents labour and employment clients in disputes. Ákos Kovács is active on workforce agency and general contractual matters.

Taylor Wessing Hungary’s employment team co-ordinates a range of cross-border projects across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The practice demonstrates particular expertise in mobility matters and the international transfer of undertakings, as well as occasional immigration cases. Torsten Braner leads the employment group, advising clients from a wide variety of sectors, from retail, to energy, to logistics and transport. Petra Knall handles workplace investigations and collective bargaining negotiations, bolstering the team’s strong labour litigation practice. Zsombor Lenner is another name to note.

From employee restructuring and transfer of undertakings to collective redundancies, the employment team at Wolf Theiss Faludi Ügyvédi Iroda advises on the full range of employment matters, as well as handling relevant litigation. The practice has established cross-border capabilities and handles HR projects spanning the CEE and SEE regions, as well as providing business immigration services. Barnabás Buzási heads up both the employment and data protection practices, and regularly advises on employment-related GDPR implementation. Marietta Molnár specialises in employment law across the logistics and transport, banking and finance, and telecoms sectors.

Marianna Csabai and Anna Katalin Papp jointly lead the employment team at CLV Partners - Csabai & Partners Law Firm. The group’s multinational clientele spans the FMCG, life sciences, technology, construction and manufacturing sectors. The practice handles whistleblowing and harassment investigations, employment termination and disciplinary cases. Another key area of strength is assisting clients with digital transformations.

With specialist expertise in the automotive and manufacturing sectors, the employment team at Noerr advises foreign investors on employment-related data protection and data processing. Viktor Füzi co-leads the team alongside Edina Czeglédy; the former has specialist experience in employment litigation, while the latter focuses on employment-related agreements, labour safety matters and labour authority investigations. Emese Julia Simon brings specialist experience in temporary employment issues to the group, while Petra Eszter Deli specialises in cross-border employee postings.

Christopher Noblet leads the employment team at Partos & Noblet in co-operation with Hogan Lovells International LLP in its advice on day-to-day employment matters, from contracts and termination notices to employee share programmes and transfers and internal policies. Employment-related data protection and privacy matters are another focus area, and the team also has experience in collective employment matters and mass redundancies. András Multas handles contentious employment mandates, including out-of-court settlements.

The team at Szabó Kelemen & Partners Andersen Attorneys is noted for its expertise in issues relating to remote and hybrid-working models. With over 16 years’ experience, practice head Szilvia Fehérvári’s expertise ranges from GDPR compliance to collective labour matters and terminations. Domonkos Kiss regularly represents clients in employment-related litigation and mediation, while Eszter Rupnik advises on internal policies and procedures. Ilona Boros supports clients with employee relocation issues, while Dóra Szakács advises on global mobility.

Working in tandem with the firm’s tax advisors, the employment team at Vámosi-Nagy Ernst & Young Law Office provides a broad service which spans the full range of labour and HR matters. Iván Sefer leads the team alongside Gábor Jagicza, who brings 15 years’ experience in all areas of employment law to the group, and also manages the firm’s data protection practice. Leveraging her extensive corporate experience, Dóra Farkas advises on employment aspects of M&A deals and other transactions.