Education

  • Catholic University of Namur (1989) cum laude
  • Catholic University of Leuven (1992) cum laude
  • University of Sienna (Erasmus) (1992)

Admissions

  • Belgium and before the European Court

Languages

  • Dutch
  • English
  • French
  • Italian (Beginner)

Emmanuel Plasschaert

Partner
eplasschaert@crowell.com
+32.2.282.4084

Emmanuel “is ‘always constructive’” “clients appreciate that he ‘delivers outstanding work, is very creative, and very much involved’” — Chambers Europe 2020

A trusted advisor and seasoned litigator, Emmanuel Plasschaert has 30 years of experience representing Belgian and multinational companies as well as individuals before the Belgian courts in commercial and complex litigation matters, including seizures and cross-border litigation issues. He was one of the first to represent a client in class-action proceedings in Belgium.

Emmanuel is a partner in Crowell & Moring’s Brussels office Corporate, Commercial, and Employment practices. He primarily focuses on individual and collective labor law, including international employment and HR data protection and privacy issues. Emmanuel also regularly advises on corporate transactions and restructurings. He is held in high regard for his strategic assistance to clients dealing with complex restructurings, both on a national and an international level.

Emmanuel has been a member of the Brussels Bar since 1993 and is currently president (2022–2024).

He is the author of a large number of publications, including a reference work on Belgian union delegations. Emmanuel is a member of the editorial board of Chroniques de  droit social/Sociaalrechtelijke kronieken, one of the leading labor law journals in Belgium, and leads the individual labor law practice group of the journal. He frequently conducts seminars for in-house counsel, HR managers, and executives and officers.



Affiliations

Professional Activities and Memberships

  • President of the Brussels Bar (2022–2024)
  • Member of the editorial board of Chroniques de droit social/Sociaalrechtelijke kronieken


Representative Matters

  • Advised a well-known client from the e-commerce sector on its entry strategy into the Belgian market from an employment law perspective.
  • Assisted several multinational groups in the restructuring of their Belgian businesses, including the transfer of undertakings, outsourcing of business, collective dismissals, and closure of business.
  • Defended a major U.S. company in court regarding a social elections dispute.
  • Advised a European airline company on a restructuring (progressive reduction of the number of employees in Brussels) and assisted the client with the transfer of an undertaking and the HR integration of the transferred workers.
  • Advised a well-known client from the telecoms sector on a worldwide restructuring and related benefit alignment in Belgium.
  • Defended a high-voltage transmission system operator before the Brussels Labor Court with respect to a claim filed by a former employee whose contract was terminated for cause.
  • Assisted a company in the pharma/chemical industry with a sensitive matter in relation to the long-term absence of an employee due to burnout
  • Advised a client from the biotech sector on how best to expand its personnel base in line with its growth strategy.
  • Defended a subsidiary of a U.S. multinational before the Brussels Labor Court in connection with a claim filed by the family of a former employee who was the victim of a work accident.
  • Advised a major manufacturer of bathroom and sanitary ware in a multi-jurisdictional dispute in Belgium and the United Kingdom concerning noncompete obligations after termination of a professional relationship.
  • Provided HR privacy advice, regarding data transfer issues, to U.S. multinationals.
  • Advised and assisted a client from the construction sector following a fatal work accident at a plant.
  • Represented a company from the fashion industry before the Brussels Labor Court in a dispute relating to the (re)qualification of a contract (sham self-employed discussion).
  • Provided advice to several clients in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic workplace (e.g., on remote working).
  • Provided day-to-day advice to several Belgian and multinational companies regarding a wide range of issues (drafting all types of employment and related agreements, termination issues, enforcing noncompete undertakings, introducing new work time schemes [including flexible work rosters], analyzing and proposing improvement of current car policy, assessing liability of the company/management in case of abuse of alcohol at the workplace).


Insights


Speeches & Presentations

  • "Get Up to Speed with the New Belgian Labor & Employment Laws," Crowell & Moring Webinar, 2022. (December 15, 2022). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels, and Gloria Saïdi.
  • "The EU Whistleblower Directive - Follow Up," Crowell & Moring Webinar, 2022. (June 23, 2022). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
  • "Contract Drafting in Light of Recent Legislative Changes," Crowell & Moring Webinar, 2022. (May 19, 2022). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Federik Van Remoortel, Delphine Keppens, Sakine Yilmaz, and Charlotte Stynen.
  • "Discrimination in the workplace 2022," Crowell & Moring Webinar, 2022. (February 8, 2022). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
  • "HR Privacy – Case Law Developments of the Labor Courts and the Belgian DPA (2018-2021)," Webinar in collaboration with IBJ/IJE (October 26, 2021). Speakers: Maarten Stassen, Emmanuel Plasschaert, and Stefanie Tack.
  • "The EU Whistleblower Directive," Legal Council of The Conference Board presentation (October 8, 2021). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Stefanie Tack.
  • "The EU Whistleblower Directive," Legal Subcommittee of AmCham Belgium presentation, Brussels, Belgium (September 20, 2021). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Stefanie Tack.
  • "Collective Dismissal: The Current Rules and Upcoming Changes," Webinar in Collaboration with IJE/IBJ (May 10, 2021). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels, and Stefanie Tack.
  • "Liability of Directors and Management," Webinar in Collaboration with IJE/IBJ (April 27, 2021). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Frederik Van Remoortel, Eric Montens, and Margaux van Steenbergh.
  • “Collective Dismissal: A Practical Overview of the Current Situation and Upcoming Changes,” Webinar AmCham Belgium (Tax & Legal Committee), Brussels, Belgium. (April 23, 2021). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels and Stefanie Tack
  • "The Protection of Whistleblowers - Upcoming Legal Changes: Risks, Obligations and Opportunities," Webinar in Collaboration with IJE/IBJ and Square Circle Management Consultancy (March 22, 2021). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Stefanie Tack.
  • "The EU Whistleblower Directive: A Burden or an Opportunity?" Webinar in collaboration with ACC Europe (January 26, 2021). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Stefanie Tack.
  • "Collective Dismissal: A Practical Overview of the Current Situation and Upcoming Changes," Webinar AmCham Belgium (Human Capital and Talent Committee), Brussels, Belgium (January 21, 2021). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels, and Stefanie Tack.
  • "Reasons for Termination of Employment: Questions and Answers," Webinar Flemish Bar (Vlaams Pleitgenootschap), Brussels, Belgium (January 19, 2021). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
  • "Ensuring effective whistleblowing: How board members are dealing with this new topic?" Webinar in collaboration with ecoDa and PWC, Brussels, Belgium (October 15, 2020). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Stefanie Tack.
  • "Temps de travail – La flexibilité est la nouvelle norme," Webinar NCOI Learning, Brussels, Belgium (October 15, 2020). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels, and Adrien Moureaux.
  • "Arbeidstijd – Flexibel is het nieuwe normaal," Webinar NCOI Learning, Brussels, Belgium (October 13, 2020). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
  • "COVID-19 and its HR Impact: Social and fiscal support measures and/or restructuring?” Webinar in collaboration with IJE/IBJ, Mythra Advocaten and FINN, Brussels, Belgium (September 10, 2020). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels and Stefanie Tack.
  • "Practice Group Effective Dispute Resolution: Resolving disputes caused by the COVID-19 crisis – what options does the in-house lawyer have in the short and longer term?," Webinar in collaboration with IJE/IBJ, Brussels, Belgium (July 3, 2020). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Kristof Roox.
  • "What After the Lockdown," Webinar in collaboration with IJE/IBJ, Brussels, Belgium (April 30, 2020). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels and Stefanie Tack.
  • "Preparing for Employees to Return to the Workplace: Strategies for Global Employers During the COVID-19 Pandemic," Crowell & Moring Webinar (April 29, 2020). Presenters: Kris D. Meade, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Nicole Janigian Simonian, Evelien Jamaels, and Jackson C. Pai.
  • "Covid-19 et la reprise après le confinement," Webinar in collaboration with Robert Half, Brussels, Belgium (April 29, 2020). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Eric Montens.
  • "Covid-19 en de heropstart na de lockdown," Webinar in collaboration with Robert Half, Brussels, Belgium (April 28, 2020). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels and Stefanie Tack.
  • "Arbeidsrecht in tijden van het coronavirus," Vlaams Pleitgenootschap – Permanente Vorming, Brussels, Belgium (April 14, 2020). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels and Stefanie Tack.
  • "Are you well prepared for a visit from Social Inspection?" IJE/IBJ Deep Dive, Brussels, Belgium (March 12, 2020). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
  • "Trade Secrets and Whistle Blowers," IJE/IBJ Deep Dive, Brussels, Belgium (December 5, 2019). Speakers: Jan-Diederik Lindemans, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Gunther Meyer, Judith Bussé, and Evelien Jamaels.
  • "Selected Topics for Non-profit Associations," Crowell & Moring Open Table, Brussels, Belgium (November 26, 2019). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Frederik Van Remoortel, and Eric Montens.
  • "The GDPR - 1 Year Later," IJE/IBJ Deep Dive, Brussels, Belgium (May 24, 2019). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Maarten Stassen, Frederik Van Remoortel, and Heidi Waem.
  • "Internet of Things – Legal and IT Risks & Challenges," IJE/IBJ Open Table, Brussels, Belgium (April 4, 2019). Presenters: Tom Pace (Cylance), Maarten Stassen, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Eric Montens and Heidi Waem.
  • "Impact of the GDPR on Whistleblowing and Internal Investigations," ACC Lunch Seminar, Brussels, Belgium (April 2, 2019). Presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelina Roegiers.
  • "Contractual Product Liability Claims Under Belgian Law – Update and Recent (Case Law) Developments," IJE/IBJ Deep Dive - Product Liability & Security in the EU and Belgium: Handling the Risks Associated with Defective or Non-Compliant Products, Brussels (December 6, 2018). Presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Margaux van Steenbergh.
  • "GDPR and its Consequences for the Chemical Industry," International VDI Conference 2018: Digitalization in the Process Industry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (November 20-21, 2018). Presenter: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "The GDPR Deadline is Near. Issues and Priorities Towards Compliance," Crowell & Moring Seminar, Brussels, Belgium (October 26, 2017). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Frederik Van Remoortel, and Maarten Stassen.
  • “New European General Data Protection Regulation Seminar,” Crowell & Moring Seminar, Brussels, Belgium (June 2, 2017). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Frederik Van Remoortel.
  • "The EU General Data Protection Regulation: What You Need to Know," Crowell & Moring Brussels (May 12, 2017). Speakers and Participants: Frederik Van Remoortel, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Abhinar Kumar, Kapil Varshney, R. P. Singh, Bruno Gencarelli, Daniele Vecchi, Punit Bhatia.
  • "Selected GDPR Topics and the Privacy Shield: Putting Theory into Practice and International Panel Discussion," Crowell & Moring Brussels (October 20, 2016). Speakers: Frederik Van Remoortel, Jeff Poston, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Jan Baas, Frédéric Sardain, Peter Huppertz and Cynthia O’Donoghue.
  • "Data Protection at the Workplace," Ateliers Data Protection, VBO-FEB, Brussels (September 28, 2016). Presenters and authors: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Frederik Van Remoortel.
  • "Data Protection in Light of the ECJ Decision Regarding Safe Harbor and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)," Seminar in Collaboration with the IBJ (April 27, 2016). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Frederik Van Remoortel and Karel Janssens.
  • “Protected workers”, Crowell & Moring Seminar, Brussels, Belgium (December 10, 2015). Presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
  • "Cybersecurity and Data Protection," Crowell & Moring Seminar, Brussels, Belgium (November 18, 2015). Presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Jeffrey L. Poston, and Frederik Van Remoortel.
  • "Protected Employees," Kluwer Publishers Webinar (September 15-17, 2015). Presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
  • "Preparing the 2016 Social Elections Strategy and Pitfalls," Crowell & Moring Seminar, Brussels, Belgium (May 28, 2015). Presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
  • "Trade Secrets: What's the Status and What Holds the Future," Crowell & Moring Seminar, Brussels, Belgium (March 24, 2015). Presenters: Jan-Diederik Lindemans and Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "This Year in Trade - What's Ahead in 2015: Anti-money Laundering (AML)," Crowell & Moring Webinar (February 10, 2015). Presenters: Cari N. Stinebower and Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "The New Belgian Law on Collective Redress," Crowell & Moring Product Liability and the Impact of the New Belgian Law on Collective Redress Seminar, Brussels (June 20, 2014). Speaker: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "Uniform Status for Workers," Midi de l'ADANAM (Alumni University of Namur), Namur (April 24, 2014). Speaker: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "Social Media at Work," Social Media: IP, Labor & Employment and Privacy Questions Crowell & Moring Seminar (April 3, 2014). Presenter: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "Data Protection: What You Should Know About the Proposed New Data Protection Regulation without Forgetting Current Legislation," Crowell & Moring Seminar (February 20, 2014). Presenters: Frederik Van Remoortel and Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "The Uniform Status in Practice: Update and Model Clauses," Crowell & Moring Seminar (January 31, 2014). Presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Frederik Van Remoortel.
  • "Anti Bribery Compliance" Belgian Legal Counsel Institute (BLCI) Seminar on Regulatory and Compliance Developments, Brussels (October 10, 2013). Presenter: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "Uniform Status for Blue and White Collar Workers and Other Topical Issues in Belgian Labor & Employment Law," Crowell & Moring Seminar, Brussels (September 19, 2013). Presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Frederik Van Remoortel.
  • "Vers une harmonisation des statuts d'ouvrier et d'employé: un long fleuve tranquille? Un état de la question et quelques réflexions," Colloque: "Le Droit Social en Chantier(s)," Brussels, Belgium (October 25, 2012). Presenter: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "Kluwer Formations - Labor Law: Basic Training," Brussels, Belgium (September 27, 2012). Speaker: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "Kluwer Formations - Labor Law: Basic Training," Ottignies, Belgium (March 22, 2012). Speaker: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "Modes Civilistes de Cessation du Contrat de Travail: Quid Novi?" AJPDS (February 16, 2012). Presenter: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "Kluwer Formations - Labor Law: Basic Training," Brussels, Belgium (October 25, 2011). Speaker: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "The use of telephone, internet and e-mail by employees in the public sector and the employer’s right to control this use," Seminar organized by the legal publisher Vanden Broele (March 24, 2011). Co-presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Frederik Van Remoortel.
  • "A visit from the social inspection - rights and duties of the employer," Webinar hosted by the Belgian Legal Counsel Institute (BLCI) (December 2, 2010). Co-presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Frederik Van Remoortel.
  • "The interruption of the employment contract," Labor Law: Basic training, Gembloux (Belgium) (October 12, 2010). Presenter: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "The termination of the employment contract", Labor Law: Basic training - Learn to apply the basic rules in two days, Brussels (Belgium) (March 11, 2010). Presenter: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "The termination of employment agreements", Labor Law: Basic training - Learn to apply the basic rules in two days, Brussels (Belgium) (October 20, 2009). Presenter: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "Work Council, Health and Security Committee and Trade Union." - Detailed training over the missions and the functioning of the consultation board (Upcoming March 24, 2009 and October 29, 2009). Presenter: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "The termination of employment agreements", Labor Law: Basic training - Learn to apply the basic rules in two days, Brussels (Belgium) (upcoming March 13, 2009). Presenter: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "Risks at the workplace: facing new challenges? - Harassment, Privacy, Discrimination", Belgian Legal Counsel Institute (BLCI) Seminar, Brussels (January 21, 2009). Co-Presenters: Frederik Van Remoortel and Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "The termination of employment agreements", Labor Law: Basic training - Learn to apply the basic rules in two days, Brussels (Belgium) (upcoming October 21, 2008). Presenter: Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "The employment agreements of executives" at IFE Benelux Seminar on Executives' remuneration (February 16, 2005). Co-Presenters: Frederik Van Remoortel and Emmanuel Plasschaert.
  • "Directors' and Managers' Liability: A Hands-on Approach," IJE / IBJ Deep Dive, Brussels, Belgium Presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Frederik Van Remoortel, Eric Montens, and Margaux van Steenbergh.


Publications



Client Alerts & Newsletters



Press Coverage



Firm News & Announcements

March 20, 2023 Chambers Ranks Six Crowell Lawyers and Four Practice Groups in 2023 Europe Guide
August 29, 2022 Crowell & Moring Partner Emmanuel Plasschaert Named President of Brussels Bar
March 18, 2022 Chambers Ranks Five Crowell Lawyers and Four Practice Groups in 2022 Europe Guide
March 24, 2021 Chambers Ranks Seven Lawyers and Four Practice Groups in 2021 Europe Guide
June 23, 2020 Crowell & Moring Partner Emmanuel Plasschaert Elected Vice President of Brussels Bar
May 26, 2020 Crowell & Moring Partner Emmanuel Plasschaert Running for Brussels Bar Vice President
April 27, 2020 Legal 500 EMEA Recommends Crowell & Moring in 11 Practice Areas and Recognizes 13 Lawyers
April 9, 2020 Chambers Ranks Seven Lawyers and Four Practice Groups in 2020 Europe Guide
March 26, 2020 New Interactive Tool Helps Belgian Businesses Navigate and Comply with COVID-19 Regulations
November 5, 2019 Global Investigations Review Names Crowell & Moring’s White Collar & Regulatory Enforcement Group to “GIR 100” Fifth Year in a Row
April 16, 2019 Legal 500 EMEA Recommends Crowell & Moring in 11 Practice Areas and Recognizes 14 Lawyers
March 21, 2019 Chambers Ranks 7 Crowell & Moring Lawyers and 6 Practice Groups in 2019 Europe Edition
April 25, 2018 Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa Recommends Crowell & Moring in 11 Practice Areas and Recognizes Three Individuals
March 13, 2018 Chambers Ranks Six Lawyers and Six Practice Groups Among Best in 2018 Europe Guide
May 11, 2017 Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa Recommends Crowell & Moring in 12 Practice Areas and Names Three Lawyers to Leading Individuals List
April 24, 2017 Chambers Ranks Five Lawyers and Six Practice Groups Among Best in Belgium in 2017 Europe Guide
May 5, 2016 Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa Recommends Crowell & Moring in 11 Practice Areas and Names Three Lawyers to Elite List
May 1, 2016 Chambers Europe Ranks Six Crowell & Moring Attorneys and Four Leading Practice Areas Among Best in Belgium
April 8, 2015 Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa Recommends Crowell & Moring in Seven Practice Areas and Names Four Lawyers to Elite List
April 24, 2014 Chambers Europe Recognizes Five Crowell & Moring Attorneys and Four Practice Areas As Best In Class
April 10, 2014 Legal 500 EMEA Recommends Crowell & Moring in Six Practice Areas and Names Three Attorneys to Elite List
January 14, 2014 Crowell & Moring Elects Five New Partners and Promotes Fourteen Associates to Counsel
May 1, 2013 Chambers Europe Recognizes Six Crowell & Moring Attorneys and Five Practice Areas as Best in Class
April 1, 2013 Legal 500 EMEA Recommends Crowell & Moring in Seven Practice Areas and Names Three Attorneys to Elite List