Leading Partners

Firms To Watch: Labour and employment

Under the expert leadership of Matias Perez Del Castillo, as well as Felipe Lasarte and Florencia Di Segni, the labour department at Pérez Del Castillo & Asociados is gaining increased recognition in labour law with a growing team and a prestigious client base.

Labour and employment in Uruguay

Ferrere

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.

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


Google


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.