Labor & Employment Counsel
Chanel in Paris seeks a Labor & Employment Counsel (Corporate) on a fixed-term contract to advise HR on French labour law and manage employment matters.
Overview
Chanel is an independent, haute couture luxury maison recognised for its craftsmanship, creativity and rigorous attention to detail across fashion, accessories and beauty. As an employer, the brand cultivates a discreet, high-performance environment that blends heritage savoir‑faire with global operations and strategic legal and HR partnerships.
Role & Responsibilities
- Provide pragmatic legal advice to HR, business leaders and corporate functions on French labor and social security law, including individual employment relations and collective labour matters.
- Draft, review and negotiate employment contracts, secondment agreements, severance packages and executive agreements to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
- Support and coordinate social dialogue: prepare for, attend and advise on negotiations with employee representatives and trade unions.
- Manage employment litigation and administrative disputes, including oversight and instruction of external counsel and preparation of litigation strategy.
- Advise on reorganisations, restructurings, collective redundancies and transfers of undertaking, including coordination with cross‑functional project teams.
- Develop and update internal HR policies, employee handbooks and compliance documentation; deliver targeted training for HR and management on labour law developments.
- Monitor legislative and jurisprudential developments in social law and translate changes into practical guidance and operational processes.
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Law (Master 2) with a specialisation in Labour / Social Law or equivalent legal qualification.
- 3–6 years' professional experience in French labour law, acquired in a law firm or as in‑house counsel for a corporate or luxury brand.
- Proven experience advising on collective bargaining, restructurings and employment litigation in a corporate environment.
- Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, with the capacity to present legal risk in business terms.
- Fluent legal drafting and argumentation in French; strong commercial awareness and discretion in handling sensitive HR matters.
Skills
Experience
Preferably 3–6 years of focused experience in labour/social law, gained either within a reputable law firm or as an in‑house lawyer supporting HR and corporate projects in a complex, multi‑stakeholder environment.
Education
Master's degree in Law (Master 2) with specialisation in Labour/Social Law; admission to the Bar is a plus but not mandatory.
Culture
Chanel combines artisanal heritage with a global corporate structure, fostering a culture of excellence, discretion and cross‑disciplinary collaboration. Legal and HR teams operate closely with business leaders to protect the brand while enabling strategic growth and creativity.