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Saskia MacLaughlin LL.M.

Counsel
International Co-Lead, Global Mobility
Frankfurt
About

Saskia MacLaughlin is Counsel at DLA Piper UK LLP based in Frankfurt am Main. She is an experienced specialist in employment law with a particular focus on global mobility and international immigration issues.

She offers comprehensive advice on all employment models with an international dimension, global restructuring, immigration of skilled labour and all issues arising in the area of social security and residence law. Her field of activity is extremely varied and requires creativity, sensitivity, and a pragmatic and wholistic approach – qualities that Saskia MacLaughlin embodies with passion. Cases range from individual CEO level appointments from abroad with one-on-one support, to standardized delegation and onboarding processes for groups of employees. In particular, Saskia MacLaughlin's strategic advice on the cross-border deployment of international specialists as well as on cross-entity workforce allocation, which she provides in combination with training, is of significant added value for her clients. Thanks to her in-depth expertise in these areas, Saskia MacLaughlin also advises on intricate compliance matters and has successfully contributed her expertise to numerous multinational companies.

As a Certified Specialist for Labour Law, Saskia has advised on complex restructuring arrangements and lead face to face negotiations with the respective Labour Unions and Works Councils.

Areas of FocusEmployment
Professional QualificationsRechtsanwältin admitted with Rechtsanwaltskammer Frankfurt am Main

EXPERIENCE

  • Frequent representation of employers in Arbitration Boards (Einigungsstelle) concerning co-determination rights of works councils.
  • Advising a client on the claim for damages against the former members of the board of directors due to unjustified payments.
  • Advice on strategies for the deployment and employment of third-country nationals and their lawful implementation.
  • Supporting and advising a multinational corporation during a compliance audit on international cross entity deployment and the subsequent investigations into illegal employment of third-country nationals, minimum wage violations, social security and tax law assessment. Concluding with settlement negotiations and agreement with all relevant authorities.
  • Advising multinational clients on international cross entity deployment and establishment of a contractual framework to ensure compliance both with immigration and social security as well as employment and labour leasing regulations, as well as dealing with the relevant German authorities.
  • Providing assistance and contingency planning during audits by German authorities regarding employment and posting of foreign national individuals to Germany, e.g. concerning immigration, social security, employment, criminal and tax law, in close collaboration with other members of the DLA Global Mobility Team.
  • Leading an internal investigation into the use of freelancers in Germany and subsequent dealings with German authorities to rectify the past and ensure future compliance in close collaboration with DLA Tax colleagues.
Languages
  • German
  • English
  • Spanish

Awards

  • Handelsblatt in cooperation with Best Lawyers 2026/2027: Recommended for Labor and Employment Law
Education

  • University Bayreuth, First State Examination

  • Higher Regional Court Celle, Second State Examination

  • Certified Specialist for Labor Law

Publications

  • When Overseas Assignments Become a Risk – An Employer’s Duty of Care and Liability, ZAU No. 05, May 18, 2026, Saskia MacLaughlin, Helen Kanic.
  • The First Page: Global Mobility – Challenges for Companies, RIW Issue 5/2026, Saskia MacLaughlin.
  • Employer Liability Risks for Overseas Assignments in Crisis Areas, Der Betrieb No. 18, April 2026, Saskia MacLaughlin, Helen Kanic.
  • Global Mobility – Which Labor Law Applies? Der Betrieb Rechtsboard January 20, 2026: (https://der-betrieb.de/meldungen/global-mobility-welches-arbeitsrecht-ist-anwendbar/)
  • Social Security Law – though shall check who let`s employees work abroad, Der Betrieb Rechtsboard, November 17, 2025 (Sozialversicherungsrecht – Drum prüfe, wer im Ausland tätig werden lasse - Online Portal von Der Betrieb)
  • (No) digital access rights for trade unions to companies? Guest commentary on BAG v. 28.01.2025 – 1 AZR 33/24, Der Betrieb – 40-41, September 29, 2025: M4. Saskia MacLaughlin, Maximilian Plote.
  • Intra Company mediation – Works council members as mediators – Labor law aspects of assigning this function, ZAU Arbeitsrecht im Unternehmen, Nr. 6 vom 23.06.2025
  • Patient listeners wanted – Internal mediation: Framework conditions and selection of the conflict advisor, Personalführung 5/2025
  • Compliance: Minimizing the risks when employing foreigners, Der Betrieb No. 37 September 2024, Saskia MacLaughlin, Helen Kanic, Maximilian Plote.

Prior Experience

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Saskia has gained experience working in the Labor Law department of one of the largest German financial institutions. Additionally, Saskia completed internships lasting several months at the German Embassy both in Ecuador and Argentina, providing legal support in consular affairs.

Additional Qualifications

  • Certified Mediator
  • Certified Specialist for Labor Law

My latest insights

Publication

The Digital Transformation of Immigration: EES, ETIAS, and UK eVisas

7 November 2025

Publication

The digital transformation of immigration: EES, ETIAS, and UK eVisas

26 September 2025 .4 minute read

Publication

Coalition agreement signed – what the new government plans with regard to skilled worker...

19 May 2025 .3 minute read

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Phone

+49 69 27 13 3454
(Work, Frankfurt)
+49 162 24 97 928
(Work)