A large European company needed to reduce operational costs in the United States as part of a broader restructuring. The process involved long-tenured employees and strict US employment laws, creating significant legal exposure. We designed and executed a compliant termination strategy that minimized risk and protected the company from costly litigation.
Industry
Aviation / Enterprise
Stage
Mature organization
Geography
Europe → United States (Chicago, New York)
How it works
Challenge
The client needed to reduce costs in its US operations, which required terminating multiple employees across key locations such as Chicago and New York. Many of these employees had been with the company for decades, making the process legally sensitive and complex. US employment law — particularly around wrongful termination and age discrimination — creates significant exposure for foreign companies unfamiliar with local regulations. Without proper handling, the company risked facing multiple lawsuits, each potentially resulting in substantial financial penalties.
01
What was at stake
exposure to multiple employment lawsuits
potential multi-million dollar liabilities
reputational risk in the US market
successful execution of restructuring plan
02
Key pain points
lack of internal US employment law expertise
complexity of state-specific regulations (Illinois, New York)
long-tenured employees (higher legal sensitivity)
pressure to reduce costs quickly without increasing risk
How it works
Solution
We designed and executed a compliant termination process tailored to US federal and state employment laws. Acting as a local legal partner, we guided the client through each step — from risk assessment to execution — ensuring that all actions minimized exposure to litigation.
How it works
Our approach
Book an appointment
01
Risk assessment
analysis of employment structure across US locations
identification of legal risks (incl. age discrimination exposure)
mapping state-specific requirements
02
Strategy design
development of compliant termination framework
structuring communication and documentation
minimizing legal triggers for disputes
03
Execution support
step-by-step guidance through layoffs
coordination across jurisdictions
ensuring compliance at every stage
who we help
What we delivered
01
US-compliant termination framework
Goal: execute layoffs without violating employment law
02
Multi-state legal alignment
Goal: ensure compliance in Illinois, New York, and beyond
03
Risk mitigation strategy
Goal: prevent lawsuits before they arise
04
Local legal guidance for EU client
Goal: bridge knowledge gap in US regulations
05
Litigation prevention approach
Goal: avoid costly disputes and settlements
How it works
Result
The client successfully executed layoffs across its US operations without triggering lawsuits or regulatory issues. By following a structured, compliant approach, the company avoided potential liabilities that could have reached millions of dollars per employee. The restructuring was completed efficiently, allowing the organization to reduce costs without additional financial or legal damage.
How it works
Result
~10 employees affected
Across key US locations
$0M+ risk avoided (per case)
Potential exposure from employment claims