Faegre Drinker Adds International Labor & Employment Partner Erika Collins in New York

Faegre Drinker announced today that Erika Collins has joined the firm in New York as a partner in the labor and employment practice, where she will serve as co-leader of the international employment law team. Collins was previously a partner at Epstein Becker Green, where she served as co-head of the firm’s international employment law group.

In her practice at Faegre Drinker, Collins brings substantive knowledge of the unique laws governing workforce expansions and reductions, personnel policies and employee data privacy. She routinely conducts multicountry audits to inform critical compliance advice. She is also well-versed in international differences in business and social customs, making her a strategic partner in cross-border deals and employee mobility matters. Collins has done work in more than 150 countries.

“As companies seek a competitive advantage and growth in new geographies, labor and employment concerns are a critical component of any cross-border transaction,” said Cheryl Orr, leader of Faegre Drinker’s international labor and employment practice. “Erika brings nearly three decades of experience helping multinational public and private companies handle their most complex employment and human resources needs during times of transition. She bolsters the firm’s international capabilities, and her collaborative approach and client-centered focus make Erika an excellent cultural fit at Faegre Drinker.”

Cross-border M&A deals are a core part of Collins’ practice. She performs due diligence to proactively identify employment risks and provides practical counsel on business transfer regulations and workforce integration considerations. In addition, as the regulations surrounding cross-border data transfers tighten, Collins helps clients keep pace with the latest compliance standards. She brings particular experience with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), advising on requirements for information flows to the U.S.

“I am thrilled to join a team of talented labor and employment attorneys who serve as go-to advisors for some of the world’s largest employers,” said Collins. “In addition, the firm’s robust corporate practice and international presence in the UK and China enhances my ability to help clients navigate both labor and employment and cross-border M&A matters.”

Collins is a mainstay at the International Bar Association and American Bar Association, providing thought leadership on issues in international employment law. She is the editor of The Employment Law Review, a go-to guidebook for legal practitioners and HR professionals, and the chair of Cambridge Forums’ International Labor and Employment Forum.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Brown University, and her Juris Doctor from University of California’s Davis School of Law.

With more than 120 attorneys, Faegre Drinker’s international labor and employment practice provides sophisticated guidance to employers, anticipating challenges and mitigating risks and claims. Highly collaborative and with deep experience in counseling, litigation, investigations, corporate transactions and labor management relations, the firm provides practical guidance and effective representation to employers across industries and borders.

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