Clients requiring more employment advice as Spanish economy improves – Ceca Magán Abogados

Demand is growing for legal advice related to the drafting of employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements, hiring and social security issues

Demand for employment-related legal advice is increasing as the Spanish economy improves, with clients seeking guidance on issues such as collective bargaining agreements and social security requirements, says Enrique Ceca, partner at Ceca Magán Abogados in Madrid.
“There is an increasing demand from both big traditional companies and new startups for legal advice related to the drafting of employment contracts and collective bargaining agreements,” he explains. “There is also demand from international companies that have set up a Spanish branch and need advice in relation to hiring and social security issues.”
Compared to a year ago, there is now more employment work available for lawyers, says Ceca. “The Spanish economic situation has improved and therefore, there is more business activity, the growth of which means more work opportunities for lawyers,” he explains. “Many business decisions somehow impact companies’ staff, and therefore, corporations need advice regarding labour law.”

Severe sanctions
Among clients’ biggest employment concerns, says Ceca, are the risks related to the nullity of dismissals, and collective proceedings such as collective dismissals, strikes and the risks of being sanctioned by the Labour Inspectorate for noncompliance with social security requirements. In the context of these issues, companies can potentially face very severe sanctions,” he adds. Meanwhile, with a lot of competition in the employment-related legal services market, one of the biggest challenges lawyers face is being able to offer high quality advice for the prices required by some of clients.
Ceca adds that keeping lawyers motivated is a major challenge. “It is difficult to retain talent, in terms of offering junior lawyers appealing incentives to develop a long-term career in the firm,” says Ceca.