11.02.2021

Luther gains employment law team from DLA Piper

Hamburg – As of 1 May 2021, three renowned employment lawyers from DLA Piper will join Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft. Dr Astrid Schnabel (35), LL.M., will move to the Hamburg office as a Partner, together with Dr Isabel Schäfer (36), who will join as a Senior Associate, and Volker von Alvensleben (65), who will be joining as Of Counsel. All three had previously worked for DLA Piper, where Volker von Alvensleben was a founding partner of the Hamburg office, which he led for many years, as well as the German “Employment” practice group.

“We are very pleased to have gained such an experienced team with Astrid Schnabel, Isabel Schäfer and Volker von Alvensleben”, said Elisabeth Lepique, Managing Partner at Luther.

Astrid Schnabel is a Certified Specialist in Employment Law and advises national and international companies on individual and collective employment law. One of her focus areas is advising on issues relating to works constitution law, in particular in connection with co-determination by works councils in the event of changes in operations, the introduction of IT systems and occupational health and safety. She also specialises in advising on transfers of businesses, acquisitions and the cross-border deployment of employees.

Isabel Schäfer, also a Certified Specialist in Employment Law, has been advising companies on works constitution law and the implementation of personnel measures for many years. Another area that she focuses on is individual employment law, in particular, the drafting of employment contracts and the termination of employment and service relationships, as well as acquisitions and the restructuring of companies.

Volker von Alvensleben, who before joining DLA Piper was a Partner at Luther between 1992 and 2003, brings with him 35 years of professional experience in matters pertaining to works constitution law, collective bargaining law, changes in operations/shutdowns, restructuring and negotiations with works councils and trade union representatives. Another focus of his work is advising on employment and termination agreements for managing directors and senior executives of multinational companies.

The team has extensive experience in conducting labour court proceedings and in assisting with negotiations, including negotiations in conciliation committees.

Astrid Schnabel said: “We are pleased to be able to continue to provide our clients with comprehensive employment law advice at Luther and, together with our future colleagues, to advise them across disciplines in dealing with all the challenges that lie ahead.”

“With their many years of professional experience and expertise, these three colleagues cover all the facets of employment law. With their focus on collective employment law, they are an excellent addition to our Hamburg team led by Partners Dr Volker Schneider and Sebastian Fedder,” said Paul Schreiner, Head of Luther’s Employment Law team.