Global law firms that announced plans to close Russia offices after the Ukraine invasion now face the challenge of carrying out their goal while complying with labor, immigration and sanctions laws.
Employers that want to fire employees in a closure must navigate a Russia law that generally bars dismissing certain worker classes, such as single mothers, according to labor and employment law firm Littler Mendelson.
Those that want to help Russian lawyers leave the country and work elsewhere are limited to traditional pathways such as tourist visas and asylum applications, the firm said. Russia does not have the same emergency measures put in place to aid emigrations from Ukraine.
“It’s an incredibly difficult situation,” said Stephan Swinkels, an Amsterdam-based shareholder at Littler Mendelson. “We’re in unprecedented times.”
At least 25 law firms announced plans to shutter their Russia offices in the weeks following the Feb. 24 invasion, including some that said they’re converting the outposts into independent operations. Many cited the shock of Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s military actions against Ukraine in making the moves.
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