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Emmanuel Plasschaert

Partner
Partner
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Areas of Focus

Overview

A trusted advisor and seasoned litigator, Emmanuel Plasschaert has 30 years of experience representing Belgian and multinational companies as well as individuals before the Belgian courts in commercial and complex litigation matters, including seizures and cross-border litigation issues. He was one of the first to represent a client in class-action proceedings in Belgium.

Emmanuel is a partner in the Corporate, Commercial, and Employment practices in Crowell & Moring’s Brussels office. He primarily focuses on individual and collective labor law, including international employment and HR data protection and privacy issues. Emmanuel also regularly advises on corporate transactions and restructurings. He is held in high regard for his strategic assistance to clients dealing with complex restructurings, both on a national and an international level.

Emmanuel has been a member of the Brussels Bar since 1993 and has served as president of the French-speaking chapter of the Brussels Bar (2022–2024).

He is the author of a large number of publications, including a reference work on Belgian union delegations. Emmanuel is a member of the editorial board of Chroniques de droit social/Sociaalrechtelijke kronieken, one of the leading labor law journals in Belgium; he leads the individual labor law practice group of the journal. He frequently conducts seminars for in-house counsel, HR managers, and executives and officers.

Career & Education

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    • Catholic University of Namur, cum laude, 1989
    • Catholic University of Leuven, cum laude, 1992
    • University of Sienna (Erasmus), 1992
    • Catholic University of Namur, cum laude, 1989
    • Catholic University of Leuven, cum laude, 1992
    • University of Sienna (Erasmus), 1992

    • Belgium
    • European Court
    • Belgium
    • European Court

  • Professional Activities and Memberships

    • President of the Brussels Bar (2022–2024)
    • Member of the editorial board of Chroniques de droit social/Sociaalrechtelijke kronieken

    Professional Activities and Memberships

    • President of the Brussels Bar (2022–2024)
    • Member of the editorial board of Chroniques de droit social/Sociaalrechtelijke kronieken

    • Dutch
    • English
    • French
    • Italian
    • Dutch
    • English
    • French
    • Italian
Emmanuel “is ‘always constructive’” “clients appreciate that he ‘delivers outstanding work, is very creative, and very much involved’”

— Chambers Europe, 2020

Emmanuel's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 12.19.24

New EU Directive Impacting Digital Platforms and Individuals Working for Them

On 23 October 2024, the European Parliament adopted Directive (EU) 2024/2831 (“the Directive”), aimed at improving conditions for individuals working for digital platforms.  The Directive introduces comprehensive measures to: address the employment status of digital platform workers, ensure transparency and fairness in algorithmic management, and strengthen the protection of personal data. The Directive came into force on 1 December 2024, and Member States are required to adopt the necessary measures for transposition into national law by 2 December 2026....

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Representative Matters

  • Advised a well-known client from the e-commerce sector on its entry strategy into the Belgian market from an employment law perspective.
  • Assisted several multinational groups in the restructuring of their Belgian businesses, including the transfer of undertakings, outsourcing of business, collective dismissals, and closure of business.
  • Defended a major U.S. company in court regarding a social elections dispute.
  • Advised a European airline company on a restructuring (progressive reduction of the number of employees in Brussels) and assisted the client with the transfer of an undertaking and the HR integration of the transferred workers.
  • Advised a well-known client from the telecoms sector on a worldwide restructuring and related benefit alignment in Belgium.
  • Defended a high-voltage transmission system operator before the Brussels Labor Court with respect to a claim filed by a former employee whose contract was terminated for cause.
  • Assisted a company in the pharma/chemical industry with a sensitive matter in relation to the long-term absence of an employee due to burnout
  • Advised a client from the biotech sector on how best to expand its personnel base in line with its growth strategy.
  • Defended a subsidiary of a U.S. multinational before the Brussels Labor Court in connection with a claim filed by the family of a former employee who was the victim of a work accident.
  • Advised a major manufacturer of bathroom and sanitary ware in a multi-jurisdictional dispute in Belgium and the United Kingdom concerning noncompete obligations after termination of a professional relationship.
  • Provided HR privacy advice, regarding data transfer issues, to U.S. multinationals.
  • Advised and assisted a client from the construction sector following a fatal work accident at a plant.
  • Represented a company from the fashion industry before the Brussels Labor Court in a dispute relating to the (re)qualification of a contract (sham self-employed discussion).
  • Provided advice to several clients in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic workplace (e.g., on remote working).
  • Provided day-to-day advice to several Belgian and multinational companies regarding a wide range of issues (drafting all types of employment and related agreements, termination issues, enforcing noncompete undertakings, introducing new work time schemes [including flexible work rosters], analyzing and proposing improvement of current car policy, assessing liability of the company/management in case of abuse of alcohol at the workplace).

Emmanuel's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 12.19.24

New EU Directive Impacting Digital Platforms and Individuals Working for Them

On 23 October 2024, the European Parliament adopted Directive (EU) 2024/2831 (“the Directive”), aimed at improving conditions for individuals working for digital platforms.  The Directive introduces comprehensive measures to: address the employment status of digital platform workers, ensure transparency and fairness in algorithmic management, and strengthen the protection of personal data. The Directive came into force on 1 December 2024, and Member States are required to adopt the necessary measures for transposition into national law by 2 December 2026....

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Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 12.19.24

New EU Directive Impacting Digital Platforms and Individuals Working for Them

Speaking Engagement | 11.26.24

"A Deep Dive into the EU Pay Transparency Directive and the US Experience on Equal Pay," Crowell & Moring Webinar.

Webinar | 11.26.24

A Deep Dive into the EU Pay Transparency Directive and the US Experience on Equal Pay 

Event | 09.10.24

Book Launch: “Collective Litigation in Belgium”
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Practices

Industries

Emmanuel's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 12.19.24

New EU Directive Impacting Digital Platforms and Individuals Working for Them

On 23 October 2024, the European Parliament adopted Directive (EU) 2024/2831 (“the Directive”), aimed at improving conditions for individuals working for digital platforms.  The Directive introduces comprehensive measures to: address the employment status of digital platform workers, ensure transparency and fairness in algorithmic management, and strengthen the protection of personal data. The Directive came into force on 1 December 2024, and Member States are required to adopt the necessary measures for transposition into national law by 2 December 2026....

View All Insights