Guenther Heckelmann is ranked by top legal directories — including Chambers Global, JUVE Handbuch Wirtschaftskanzleien, PLC Which Lawyer? and Expert Guides - Labour and Employment Lawyers — as one of the leading German labor and employment lawyers. He is a member of the Firm’s Global Labor and Employment Law Practice Group Steering Committee and former managing partner of the German offices. Mr. Heckelmann is admitted as a lawyer focusing on the area of labor and employment law.

Practice Focus

Mr. Heckelmann advises companies in all labor and employment-related matters, particularly in conjunction with complex global reorganizations. He also counsels clients on employment issues arising from multijurisdictional mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and post-merger integrations. Mr. Heckelmann likewise represents clients in negotiations with works councils and unions, and advises on European Works Council matters, basic principles of HR management as well as the hiring of, and separation from, managerial employees.

Representative Legal Matters

• Handled major restructurings of the European operations of Kraft Foods.
• Assisted in major restructurings of the European operations of Ecolab.
• Handled major reductions in force at several General Motors plants in Europe.
• Provided employment advice re various complex worldwide acquisitions of Abbott, and subsequent integrations, including Abbott's most recent acquisition of the worldwide pharmaceuticals business of Solvay.
• Provided European Works Council advice to numerous Fortune 100 companies.

Admission

Germany (1985)

Education

Fachanwalt für Arbeitsrecht  (Attorney Specializing in Labor Law) (1993)
 (Assessor Exam) (1985)
University of California at Berkeley (Boalt Hall) (1983)
University of Mainz  (Referendar Exam) (1981)