INTERNATIONAL NEWS

published SEPTEMBER 01, 2011 Philippe Thomas joins Dechert's Employment Law Practice as a Partner in Paris International law firm Dechert LLP announced that Philippe Thomas has joined the firm's employment law practice in Paris as a partner. He was previously a partner with Hogan Lovells. Philippe has extensive experience advising both domestic and international clients on all aspects of French employment law, most notably as relating to national and international mergers and acquisitions and the transfer of personnel. He also regularly advises on restructuring issues as well headcount reduction, consultation of work councils, harmonisation of employee status, senior employee terminations and post termination issues. Philippe advises clients on the impact of new French employment legislation including the recently enacted rules applicable to senior employees, directors' liabilities, stock option plans and collective agreements, and regularly appears before the labour courts on individual and collective employment issues. Said Alain Decombe, Managing Partner of Dechert’s Paris office: “I’m delighted that Philippe and his team are joining us as they bring with them a recognised expertise in an arena which of is of key strategic importance to our clients”. Philippe concurred, adding: “ My team and I are extremely excited to be joining a firm where the collaborative approach is central to the service offered to clients. The chance to help develop Dechert’s French employment law practice is an opportunity too good to refuse”. A graduate of the Université Paris II, Panthéon-Assas (M.A., 1986) and Georgetown University (LL.M., 1990), Philippe is a qualified French lawyer and fluent in both English and French. He is also a member of the European Employment Lawyer's Association, the International Bar Association and the Cercle Magellan. Also joining Dechert Paris are associates Clémentine Saunier and Sabrina Chekroun, both of whom were previously part of Philippe’s employment team at Hogan Lovells.