Ferrere‘s market-leading labour litigation team represents international companies before courts at all levels and the Ministry of Labour. The team is also active in collective negotiations, on behalf of both companies and a number of local chambers. Its established non-contentious practice encompasses general labour and social security matters, due diligence and restructurings. The firm also has an internal compliance practice, experienced in audits related to occupational health, security and safety conditions, and an active immigration practice. Verónica Raffo is regularly involved in the drafting of legislation within the field. Alberto Baroffio excels in collective negotiations and bargaining disputes, with particular expertise in the construction, energy and finance sectors. The two partners lead alongside senior counsel Nelson Larrañaga, who advises an impressive roster of multinational clients and is adept at negotiating agreements with unions and government bodies. At the associate level, Giselle Cardoso focuses her labour practice on diversity and inclusion initiatives, and Florencia Fitipaldo spearheads the team’s work in the occupational health and ESG fields. Associate Alejandra Añón is adept at the design of labour policies, as well as handling benefit planning and labour litigation. Lucía Álvarez joined at the associate level in 2023.

Skilled in negotiations with the banking union and the government, Guyer & Regules counts significant financial entities in Uruguay among its clients. The labour team also advises business chambers and the Ministry of Labour on regulations, and acts as labour consultants to the International Labour Organisation and the Uruguayan Chamber of Commerce. It has a strong labour litigation practice, advising on various claims, such as harassment, unfair dismissal, reclassification and workplace injury cases. The practice is adept at guiding clients through restructurings and advising on the labour aspects of business expansion in Uruguay. Practice head Leonardo Slinger has extensive experience in labour lawsuits and union conflicts, with a strong track record representing employers in collective bargaining and wage negotiations. He leads the team alongside Santiago Madalena, who was promoted to partner in January 2024. Senior associate Daniela Risso brings expertise in workplace health and safety matters to the team and plays a key role in labour audits and due diligence processes. Counsel María José Poey left the firm in February 2024.

Hughes & Hughes is popular among start-ups in addition to well-established companies, and the labour team regularly advises businesses on the employment law aspects of launching in Uruguay. The team has broad sector expertise, representing clients across the automotive, forestry and IT sectors in labour litigation. Working in tandem with clients’ HR departments, the practice provides day-to-day labour advice on regulations and social security matters and is skilled in the prevention of labour conflicts and the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements. It is also experienced in labour audits and due diligence processes, playing an active role in M&A. Enrique Radmilovich leads the team and has experience in labour litigation and in collective negotiations with unions before the Ministry of Labour. At the associate level, María Durán advises key employers across the hotel, forestry and chemical industries, handling labour lawsuits, collective negotiation and individual disputes. Rafael Sanguinetti, associate, leads the immigration department and has particular expertise in the leisure and construction sectors.

With a strong contentious and non-contentious practice, Posadas‘ labour team advises on employment contracts and benefits packages, salaries and payroll filing, and immigration and social security issues. In addition, the team represents clients in labour claims and lawsuits. The practice has a strong background in sensitive terminations and is adept at handling sexual harassment allegations. It also advises on the labour aspects of reorganisations and conducts labour due diligence in M&A. Senior associate Mariana Fernández Fasciolo leads the team, advising a diverse roster of national and multinational companies on the labour law aspects of restructurings and M&A, employee transfers and union relations. Senior counsel Alejandro Castello plays a lead role in the team, particularly in collective bargaining and labour litigation, and excels in the drafting of employment conditions and termination agreements. Senior associate Maria Florencia Novaretto has a strong contentious labour practice, representing clients in employment-related litigation and negotiations. Senior counsel Gonzalo Gari is another name to note.

With expertise in both individual and collective labour rights and social security law, Castellan Abogados advises a growing list of local and international companies and institutions, as well as playing an active role in administrative labour matters. Advising clients on operations and staff relations on a day-to-day basis, the team excels in preventative advice, while also boasting a proven track record in labour litigation. It is also called upon to advise on immigration matters. Mariana Casella leads the team; in addition to her established labour litigation practice, she also advises companies on labour relations, from HR policies to the management of collective and union matters. Macarena López is an active member of the team at senior associate level, spearheading the group’s work in migration matters and representing clients before courts and labour authorities.

Bergstein Abogados offers litigation, regulatory and social security advice within the labour and employment space. The team has expertise in both individual and collective labour rights and provides comprehensive immigration services, advising companies, from multinational corporations to start-ups, on bringing foreign employees into Uruguay. Leonardo Melos co-leads the team, focusing his practice on labour disputes and union negotiations, with extensive experience before various courts and in the drafting of collective bargaining agreements. Practice co-head Mariana Pisón is also active in labour litigation, as well as bringing expert knowledge of employment commercial safety and hygiene matters to the group. At the associate level, Rodrigo Felló is an active member of the team, involved in labour due diligences and social security matters.

Advising HR departments at both national and international companies, Brum Costa Abogados advises on internal labour policies, due diligence and compliance audits, and the practice is well placed to support clients through labour restructurings. Although it has a strong emphasis on dispute prevention, the team also has a successful track record in labour litigation. Clients also turn to the group for advice on collective bargaining and union matters. Experienced in negotiations with trade unions, Gustavo Gauthier leads the team. Nicolás Gómez is head associate in the department, focusing his practice on labour litigation and bringing to the team experience before national courts. Associate Antonella Coitinho is active in individual and collective negotiations, the drafting of contracts and labour restructurings. Tomas Franco is another associate to note.

Drawing on its global network, Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga represents both local and multinational clients in employment and benefits-related litigation. The team’s full-service offering encompasses both corporate and government investigations and collective bargaining matters. Executive compensation is another area of expertise. Experienced negotiator Diego Viana co-leads the team and is active in labour litigation and collective bargaining. Practice co-head Ignacio Demarco is an expert in employment and social security matters, advising on reorganisations, labour audits and executive compensation. Senior associate Malenna Rovetta specialises in individual labour disputes, defending companies against employee labour claims. Joaquín Davyt, associate, is another active member of the team.