US law firm Littler Mendelson has teamed up with Austria’s Gerlach Rechtsanwalte as part of the firm’s global growth strategy to bolster its network of local employment experts.

The deal with the Vienna-based employment law firm increases Littler’s footprint in Europe to eight countries and brings its tally to 21 worldwide. The tie-up adds three more lawyers to Littler’s more than 1,500-strong roster of global attorneys, and follows the opening last year of Littler’s Singapore office — its first foray into Asia — and an alliance with Norwegian firm Homble Olsby.

“We are excited to join forces with Gerlach Rechtsanwalte, one of the most well-respected labour and employment law firms in Austria,” said Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, co-managing directors of Littler, in a joint statement. “In addition to the strong reputation it has developed for representing employers on a range of complex issues, Gerlach Rechtsanwalte and its leaders bring a deep understanding of the economic and regulatory landscape in Europe, serving to benefit our teams around the world.”

Gerlach Rechtanwalte focuses on Austrian and European employment law, and advises clients on matters ranging from contracts and pensions to data protection issues and conflict resolution.

The firm was founded in 2011 by Roland Gerlach, who has more than 25 years of legal experience and was previously a senior partner of Griesser-Gerlach-Gahleitner. He is also the Austria representative on the board of the European Employment Lawyers Association. 

His team includes Michaela Gerlach, who has more than two decades of employment law experience, and Markus Loescher, who joined Gerlach after graduating from the University of Vienna School of Law in 2014. Loescher is a member of the European Legal Tech Association and specialises in the impact of technology in the workplace. 

“Littler’s commitment to sustained growth throughout Europe, along with the unique scope and depth of its capabilities in labour and employment law, has resonated with European employers and positioned the firm as a leader in the region,” said Roland Gerlach.

Littler hopes the deal will also leave the firm better positioned to access other new markets in Europe.

“The addition in Austria further strengthens our ability to counsel local companies, and our global clients operating in the region, and is an important key to Central Europe,” said Stephan Swinkels, a Littler shareholder who helps lead the development and integration of the firm’s global practice.

In 2018, Littler secured similar deals to open in Milan and Brussels.