Laurence D.Harvey Wood
Partner
International Employment Law
lharveywood@seyfarth.com
Laurence practices international employment law, with a particular emphasis on French employment law matters.
More About Laurence
Employment law in France is complex, technical and fast-changing. With more than 20 years' international experience, Laurence helps his clients to achieve their business and HR objectives while minimizing risk, cost and delay. He is qualified in both French and English law, and can advise on French employment matters in mother-tongue English.
Laurence has extensive experience of restructurings, labor law aspects of M&A transactions, benefits harmonization processes, cross-border mergers, executive severance, disciplinary procedures, investigations, whistleblower schemes, compliance programs, deferred compensation plans, remuneration policies and CRD4 constraints.
He has handled numerous collective dismissals and complex organisation projects for major international banks and insurers. He has also advised regularly in the pharma, IT, media, luxury, logistics and air transport sectors. Clients appreciate his pragmatic approach and his ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
Before joining Seyfarth, he worked for 20 years (including 17 in Paris) for a London-based global law firm, where he served as co-head of the international employment law working group.
Prior to returning to London to join Seyfarth, he served on the board of governors of the Lycée International de Saint Germain en Laye (British Section), providing legal advice to the board on a pro bono basis.
Our London office operates as Seyfarth Shaw (UK) LLP, an affiliate of Seyfarth Shaw LLP. Seyfarth Shaw (UK) LLP is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registered number 556927.
Laurence has extensive experience of restructurings, labor law aspects of M&A transactions, benefits harmonization processes, cross-border mergers, executive severance, disciplinary procedures, investigations, whistleblower schemes, compliance programs, deferred compensation plans, remuneration policies and CRD4 constraints.
He has handled numerous collective dismissals and complex organisation projects for major international banks and insurers. He has also advised regularly in the pharma, IT, media, luxury, logistics and air transport sectors. Clients appreciate his pragmatic approach and his ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
Before joining Seyfarth, he worked for 20 years (including 17 in Paris) for a London-based global law firm, where he served as co-head of the international employment law working group.
Prior to returning to London to join Seyfarth, he served on the board of governors of the Lycée International de Saint Germain en Laye (British Section), providing legal advice to the board on a pro bono basis.
Our London office operates as Seyfarth Shaw (UK) LLP, an affiliate of Seyfarth Shaw LLP. Seyfarth Shaw (UK) LLP is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registered number 556927.
- Diploma in Law, City University, London, Commendation
- MA, University of Oxford (St John’s College), First Class
- Avocat, Paris Bar
- Solicitor, England and Wales
Related Services
Related Regions
Related News & Insights
-
Recognition
11/14/2024
Seyfarth Named International Employment Law Team of the Year by IEL, Additionally Ranked in IEL Global Elite 2025
-
Webinar
Jun 25, 2024
Webinar: Italy, Spain and France: Current Trends and Upcoming Regulations in the European Employment Law Landscape
-
Attorney Publication
Dec 14, 2023
Now Available! International Employment Lawyer’s Guide to Restructuring a Cross-Border Workforce
-
Recognition
12/05/2023
Seyfarth Named a 2023 IEL Elite Firm by International Employment Lawyer
- Recognised in International Employment Lawyer Global Elite (2024)
- Co-Author, "Are Restrictive Covenants a Thing of the Past?," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 23, 2023)
- Co-Author, "EU Whistleblower Directive – Where Are We Now?," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2023)
- Co-Author, "France: Changing Times Bring Important Changes for Employers that Apply the Syntec CBA," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 2, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Implementation Deadline for the European Directive on Working Conditions is Imminent: Prepare for New Information Obligations," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 26, 2022)
- Co-Author, "EU Platform Worker Directive - Gig Economy in EU’s Sights," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 18, 2022)
- Co-Author, "EU Whistleblowing Directive: Changes and Challenges Facing Global Employers," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 6, 2021)
- Co-Author, "The Right to 'Disconnect' for Employees," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 17, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Digital Platform Workers in Europe - Recent Developments," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 2, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Europe’s Gender Pay Gap Rules Gather Momentum," European Employment Law Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 18, 2019)
- Co-Presenter, “Italy, Spain and France: Current Trends and Upcoming Regulations in the European Employment Law Landscape,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 25, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "European Reductions in Force: Ten Things to Look Out for," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 9, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Global Reductions in Force: Practical Do’s and Don’ts from the Frontline," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 6, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Europe: Better, Worse, or Merely Different? - Episode 1: Living with Works Councils," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 2, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Europe - Spain and France - What’s New in the Employment Landscape?," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Recovery Planning and the European Workplace: Some Key Issues," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 10, 2020)
- "Setting up a Whistleblower Policy in France," presented to the American Chamber of Commerce in Paris
- "Recent Changes to French Rules on Collective Dismissals," presented to the International Bar Association
- "UK Employment Law Overview," training course presented in French to HR managers and in-house lawyers at EFE
- "Labor Law Aspects of International M&A Transactions," presented as part of an International Private Law Masters program at the University of Montpellier (France)
- Invited to present on a range of French, English and International Employment Law topics to a forum for the banking sector HR directors in Paris, and at a forum for the banking sector in-house employment lawyers in London
Laurence practices international employment law, with a particular emphasis on French employment law matters.
More About Laurence
Employment law in France is complex, technical and fast-changing. With more than 20 years' international experience, Laurence helps his clients to achieve their business and HR objectives while minimizing risk, cost and delay. He is qualified in both French and English law, and can advise on French employment matters in mother-tongue English.
Laurence has extensive experience of restructurings, labor law aspects of M&A transactions, benefits harmonization processes, cross-border mergers, executive severance, disciplinary procedures, investigations, whistleblower schemes, compliance programs, deferred compensation plans, remuneration policies and CRD4 constraints.
He has handled numerous collective dismissals and complex organisation projects for major international banks and insurers. He has also advised regularly in the pharma, IT, media, luxury, logistics and air transport sectors. Clients appreciate his pragmatic approach and his ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
Before joining Seyfarth, he worked for 20 years (including 17 in Paris) for a London-based global law firm, where he served as co-head of the international employment law working group.
Prior to returning to London to join Seyfarth, he served on the board of governors of the Lycée International de Saint Germain en Laye (British Section), providing legal advice to the board on a pro bono basis.
Our London office operates as Seyfarth Shaw (UK) LLP, an affiliate of Seyfarth Shaw LLP. Seyfarth Shaw (UK) LLP is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registered number 556927.
Laurence has extensive experience of restructurings, labor law aspects of M&A transactions, benefits harmonization processes, cross-border mergers, executive severance, disciplinary procedures, investigations, whistleblower schemes, compliance programs, deferred compensation plans, remuneration policies and CRD4 constraints.
He has handled numerous collective dismissals and complex organisation projects for major international banks and insurers. He has also advised regularly in the pharma, IT, media, luxury, logistics and air transport sectors. Clients appreciate his pragmatic approach and his ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
Before joining Seyfarth, he worked for 20 years (including 17 in Paris) for a London-based global law firm, where he served as co-head of the international employment law working group.
Prior to returning to London to join Seyfarth, he served on the board of governors of the Lycée International de Saint Germain en Laye (British Section), providing legal advice to the board on a pro bono basis.
Our London office operates as Seyfarth Shaw (UK) LLP, an affiliate of Seyfarth Shaw LLP. Seyfarth Shaw (UK) LLP is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registered number 556927.
- Diploma in Law, City University, London, Commendation
- MA, University of Oxford (St John’s College), First Class
- Avocat, Paris Bar
- Solicitor, England and Wales
Related Services
Related Regions
Related News & Insights
-
Recognition
11/14/2024
Seyfarth Named International Employment Law Team of the Year by IEL, Additionally Ranked in IEL Global Elite 2025
-
Webinar
Jun 25, 2024
Webinar: Italy, Spain and France: Current Trends and Upcoming Regulations in the European Employment Law Landscape
-
Attorney Publication
Dec 14, 2023
Now Available! International Employment Lawyer’s Guide to Restructuring a Cross-Border Workforce
-
Recognition
12/05/2023
Seyfarth Named a 2023 IEL Elite Firm by International Employment Lawyer
- Recognised in International Employment Lawyer Global Elite (2024)
- Co-Author, "Are Restrictive Covenants a Thing of the Past?," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 23, 2023)
- Co-Author, "EU Whistleblower Directive – Where Are We Now?," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2023)
- Co-Author, "France: Changing Times Bring Important Changes for Employers that Apply the Syntec CBA," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 2, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Implementation Deadline for the European Directive on Working Conditions is Imminent: Prepare for New Information Obligations," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 26, 2022)
- Co-Author, "EU Platform Worker Directive - Gig Economy in EU’s Sights," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 18, 2022)
- Co-Author, "EU Whistleblowing Directive: Changes and Challenges Facing Global Employers," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 6, 2021)
- Co-Author, "The Right to 'Disconnect' for Employees," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 17, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Digital Platform Workers in Europe - Recent Developments," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 2, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Europe’s Gender Pay Gap Rules Gather Momentum," European Employment Law Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 18, 2019)
- Co-Presenter, “Italy, Spain and France: Current Trends and Upcoming Regulations in the European Employment Law Landscape,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 25, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "European Reductions in Force: Ten Things to Look Out for," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 9, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Global Reductions in Force: Practical Do’s and Don’ts from the Frontline," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 6, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Europe: Better, Worse, or Merely Different? - Episode 1: Living with Works Councils," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 2, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Europe - Spain and France - What’s New in the Employment Landscape?," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Recovery Planning and the European Workplace: Some Key Issues," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 10, 2020)
- "Setting up a Whistleblower Policy in France," presented to the American Chamber of Commerce in Paris
- "Recent Changes to French Rules on Collective Dismissals," presented to the International Bar Association
- "UK Employment Law Overview," training course presented in French to HR managers and in-house lawyers at EFE
- "Labor Law Aspects of International M&A Transactions," presented as part of an International Private Law Masters program at the University of Montpellier (France)
- Invited to present on a range of French, English and International Employment Law topics to a forum for the banking sector HR directors in Paris, and at a forum for the banking sector in-house employment lawyers in London