Ferrere’s labour team is a leading force in Uruguay with extensive expertise across both contentious and advisory work. The team is well regarded for its handling of complex, high-stakes labour litigation, often representing major multinational clients in key sectors such as energy, construction and tech. Beyond litigation, the practice provides robust support in areas such as corporate restructuring, collective bargaining, compliance and regulatory strategy. Notable clients include UBER and Integer. The team is led by Verónica Raffo, a recognised authority on labour regulation and policy. Nelson Larrañaga, also co-head of the practice, is known for his work on labour disputes and original agreements involving companies, trade unions and governmental entities. Alberto Baroffio plays a pivotal role in major mandates and is a leading figure in collective bargaining matters, especially within the construction industry.
Labour and employment in Uruguay
Ferrere
Responsables de la pratique:
Verónica Raffo; Alberto Baroffio; Nelson Larrañaga
Autres avocats clés:
Florencia Fitipaldo; Giselle Cardoso
Principaux clients
Uber
Mercado Libre
Globant
Nestlé
Abbott Laboratories
Sabre
Katoen Natie
Enercon
H&M
JC Decaux
Genia (Dasa Group)
Banco Nación
Despegar
BASF
Andritz
Adecco
Kemira
Orpea
CASMU
Globalization Partners
Velocity
Emergent Cold
Linzor Group
RockTree
UAM (Unidad Agroalimentaria Metropolitana)
Los Nietitos
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Katoen Natie in its collective bargaining with the port union and represented it in negotiations with the ANP, the Ministry of Labour and the Business Chamber of its sector of activity (CENAVE).
- Advises UBER on several labour matters, specially focusing on the negotiations with the local authorities regarding labour and social security provisions applicable to drivers.
- Advise Integer on collective labour union matters, daily employee-related issues, business strategies, social security and compliance with local labour regulations.
Guyer & Regules
The labour, pension funds and immigration department at Guyer & Regules is recognised as a powerhouse in Uruguay. Since June 2024, Santiago Madalena has strengthened the department as practice head, bringing his expertise in emerging areas such as cryptocurrency payments for employees, as well as advising on workplace harassment and digital payments. Leonardo Slinger advises clients on disputes and collective bargaining, representing employers in various sectors. Slinger frequently advises the Uruguayan Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Labour. The team also includes senior associate Daniela Risso, associate Javier Galperin, who specialises in labour law and litigation, and associate Ítalo Raymondo, who focuses on employment contracts, dismissals and work obligations matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Santiago Madalena
Autres avocats clés:
Leonardo Slinger; Daniela Risso; Javier Galperin; Ítalo Raymondo
Les références
‘Guyer has a top-notch team of professionals, and a working methodology (with senior and junior lawyers participating in their teams) that allows them to handle a very large volume of cases while providing a rapid response and excellent service.’
‘Santiago Madalena is excellent.’
‘Leonardo Slinger is the partner we work with. His ability and years of experience in the industry give him such extensive and in-depth knowledge that he provides instant solutions that are always well-reasoned and justified. Leonardo is a benchmark in our country when it comes to labor law. He is so accessible that we consult him beforehand on any matter of any relevance or that could entail risks. Having his support is a guarantee and a peace of mind.’
Principaux clients
Citibank
Itau
Sura
Unilever
Divino
MAPFRE
Trafigura
Oracle Coporation
Grupo Schandy
Asociación de Bancos del Uruguay
Julius Baer
Danone
Bollore Logistics
ASAPP
Ocean Network
Aliaxis
Magna Motors (BMW)
Banco de Valores
Natixis
Omya
Jam City
TCS Consultancy
Cencosud
Frigorífico Carrasco
Porto Seguro Seguros
Cemento Artigas
Amazon
Marco Financial
Grupo Piero
Wabipay
Perficient
Rolex
Remote
Breeders & Packers
Frigorífico Canelones
Exness
Hedgepoint Global Markets
Mirabaud
Satellogic
Heli South America
Smartfit Uruguay
Bounteous
Impala
CASH
Froneri
Jaume & Seré
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Linzor Capital on the sale of its portfolio company, Pagnifique, to Grupo Bimbo as part of the latter’s expansion strategy in Latin America.
Hughes & Hughes
Hughes & Hughes is a standout firm in the labour and employment space, acting for some of the country’s largest employers, including McDonald’s, UPM and Yazaki. The firm’s expertise in advising on business start-ups, payroll restructuring and executive exit plans demonstrates its broad capabilities. Under Enrique Radmilovich’s leadership, the firm has gained a strong reputation in both contentious and non-contentious labour matters.The team also includes associate María Durán, a specialist in labour law, who advises major employers in Uruguay across various industries, including the hotel, chemical and forestry sectors, on labour litigation, collective negotiation and conflict resolution.
Responsables de la pratique:
Enrique Radmilovich
Autres avocats clés:
María Durán
Les références
‘The Hughes & Hughes practice, led by Enrique Radmilovich and María Durán, is highly satisfactory. The team of professionals is deeply involved in the case and understands the client’s needs.’
‘These are professionals with extensive knowledge of Uruguayan labour law who also know how to combine it with the specific needs of the client company. The professionals at Hughes & Hughes are deeply committed to defending the client’s interests.’
‘They provide cutting-edge, quality advice.’
Principaux clients
UPM – Forestal Oriental
Lojas Renner Uruguay
Baluma (Enjoy Hotel & Casino Punta del Este)
Siemens
Air Liquide
Pinturas Inca (Akzonobel)
S.C. Johnson & Son
Camposol
Yazaki
Akuo Energy
Moviport
Cardiomovil
Grupo San Miguel
Metronics Logistics
Transcanada Pipelines
Pernod Ricard
Verifone
Finning
Yazaki
Monte Cudine
Inefop
Mecalux
Linesight
Aker Biomarine
Principaux dossiers
Posadas
The labour department at Posadas offers comprehensive advice across all labour matters. The team is distinguished for its expertise in handling labour aspects of transactions and cross-border operations, acting for high-profile clients such as Cargill, Frog Stores and Intergrain. The practice excels in areas like terminations, reorganisations, collective bargaining and labour due diligence. Headed by senior associate Mariana Fernández Fasciolo, the team has a strong focus on non-contentious matters, including employee transfers, M&A-related labour due diligence and union relations. Additionally, associate Maria Florencia Novaretto brings notable experience in labour litigation, representing clients in employment disputes, while also advising on compliance and workplace regulations.
Responsables de la pratique:
Mariana Fernández Fasciolo
Autres avocats clés:
Maria Florencia Novaretto
Principaux clients
Frog Stores
Pedidos Ya
Cargill Uruguay
HIF
Intergrain
DBCC
Bonprole Industrias Lacteas
Komatsu Forest
Centro Ceibal
Braspine
Terästorni
Cubico
Julio Cesar Lestido
Axionlog Uruguay
ATIS
Knight Therapeutics Group
Principaux dossiers
- Defending Frog Stores against eleven separate labour claims brought against the company, including mobbing claims, indirect dismissal claims and special dismissal cases.
- Advising HIF on all labour and payroll accounting matters linked to its USD6b project to build a hydrogen and e-fuel production plant in Uruguay.
- Advised Intergrain on all labour and payroll matters to facilitate it’s entry into Uruguay.
Bergstein Abogados
Bergstein Abogados’s labour and employment department is recommended for its expert advice on day-to-day employment issues, executive compensation, tax, social security and immigration matters. The team has particular experience in the IT sector. Practice heads Mariana Pisón and Leonardo Melos lead the department, with Pisón excelling in labour litigation, on collective bargaining issues and advice to international clients, while Melos oversees labour disputes and negotiations, drawing on his extensive litigation background. Rodrigo Felló specialises in labour litigation, collective bargaining work and social security matters. Associate Maite Urrecheaga supports the team with immigration-related labour issues, advising on work permits, residency and employee relocation to Uruguay.
Responsables de la pratique:
Leonardo Melos; Mariana Pisón
Autres avocats clés:
Rodrigo Felló; Maite Urrecheaga
Principaux clients
Totalnet
Oji Holding Corporation
MediaBrand
Cisco Systems
OurCrowd
Very Good Ventures
Israel Embassy
Nordex
Lexmark
Entravision
Deugro
Lanafil
Principaux dossiers
Castellan Abogados
Castellan Abogados’s labour department advises on both individual and collective labour matters, including contract drafting, audits, disciplinary procedures and union negotiations. It also supports clients through disputes and regulatory changes. The practice is led by Mariana Casella, who has significant experience advising domestic and international companies, particularly in sectors such as food, construction and manufacturing. Senior associate Antonella Coitinho plays a key role in the department and leads on migration matters, assisting with work permits and executive relocations.
Responsables de la pratique:
Mariana Casella
Autres avocats clés:
Antonella Coitinho
Les références
‘I think the service is very good.’
‘Beyond all the services, the most important thing is always the human quality and the way Castellan responds to the needs of companies. From my experience, Castellan has far exceeded our expectations.’
‘We’ve seen that the firm has some of its lawyers actively involved in organisations promoting women in business, and we greatly value this.’
Principaux clients
Royal IHC
Luxottica Group
Las Acacias
Kia Motors
Shift Brazil
Club Urunday
Maxion Montich Uruguay
Club de Golf del Uruguay
Europartners
Carmen Steffens
Fischer Montajes
Germe / Pimentón
Cralpey
Sada Group
Kinamic
Famiq
Montajes Nuñez
Pilay
Principaux dossiers
- Provided strategic labour counsel to M. Dias Branco, a Brazilian company with over 17 factories, following its acquisition of Las Acacias in Uruguay.
- Advised Germe/Pimentón, a textile company, during a reduction in production at its plant, which led to the decision to place several workers, including union delegates, on unemployment insurance in May 2024.
- Advised BEDEL, a construction company, on a project in collaboration with the American NGO HXP Humanitarian Experience, which involved over 100 young American volunteers (aged 16 to 25) coming to Uruguay to help construct a dining area and kitchen for a nutrition centre aimed at children from a vulnerable neighbourhood in Montevideo.
Brum Costa Abogados
The labour and social security department at Brum Costa Abogados is renowned for its extensive experience in collective bargaining and union negotiations, representing a range of companies. Skilled in labour litigation, the team has a strong track record before various courts in Uruguay. Gustavo Gauthier heads up the department. Associate Nicolás Gómez handles labour litigation, while associate Federica Artagaveytia focuses on labour, civil law and insurance. Associate Christopher Knuppel advises on collective bargaining and employment contracts. Associate Micaela Morales handles both court and out-of-court matters in civil, labour and commercial law.
Responsables de la pratique:
Gustavo Gauthier
Autres avocats clés:
Nicolás Gómez; Micaela Morales; Federica Artagaveytia; Christoper Knuppel
Les références
‘Gustavo Gauthier demonstrates extensive knowledge of our business, interests, and corporate spirit, as well as solid technical knowledge and academic support.’
Principaux clients
SAMAN
Club Atlético Peñarol
ALUR
DUCSA
SGS
Bioerix
Arrozur
Cementos del Plata
Galofer
Principaux dossiers
- Won a highly complex case representing a medical director against a medical institutions in Uruguay
- Participated in the drafting of national regulations to regulate remote working.
- Assisted the Fondo Social de la Construcción to interpret and implement the new social security law in Uruguay
Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga
Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga‘s labour and employment team advises employers on a full range of labour and social security matters, with strength in both individual disputes and collective negotiations. The team also supports multinational clients in cross-border employment matters. Practice co-head Diego Viana is an expert in labour litigation and union negotiations. Fellow practice head Ignacio Demarco focuses on labour disputes, audits and negotiations. Senior associate Malenna Rovetta specialises in individual litigation and social security. Senior associate Joaquín Davyt handles litigation and pre-court settlements as well as cross-border matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Diego Viana; Ignacio Demarco
Autres avocats clés:
Malenna Rovetta; Joaquin Davyt
Les références
‘Clarity and professionalism in our advice. Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga compares very favorably with other law firms’ teams, particularly its frequent updates on various new labour regulations.’
‘Excellent disposition and solid knowledge enable him to address any needs at any time – Diego Viana is outstanding, in our opinion.’
Principaux clients
Marfrig
Codere Group
Candysur
Banco Santander
Viscofan
Socur
Sportradar
CAE
Quantik Group
Association of Warehouse Importers and Wholesalers
CBRE
Principaux dossiers
- Assisting and representing Google in labour and social security matters related to the establishment of a data center in Uruguay.
- Advised Banco Santander Uruguay in collective bargaining with a banking union, fixing new labour conditions and benefits for the industry.
- Successfully defended Inaler (Marfrig Group) in a claim for health and safety conditions brought by a foreign employee who visited the slaughterhouse to perform a kosher slaughter ritual.