Overview

Multinational clients have engaged Erika Collins to handle their most complex cross-border employment and human resources needs. With nearly three decades of experience supporting multinational public and private companies, Erika 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. Erika has done work in more than 150 countries, and serves as the co-leader of the firm’s international employment law team.

Erika 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.

Advisory Support

Erika is a trusted adviser to companies seeking to expand or shrink their global foothold. She guides clients through office openings and closures; the execution of global assignments and expatriate agreements; the rollout of global policies, benefit plans and codes of conduct; and the design of competitive, compliant non-U.S. employment packages and agreements, with an emphasis on trade secret protection. She has also helped clients navigate the ever-changing COVID-19 regulations in dozens of countries.

Additionally, Erika advises on executive hiring and termination, restructuring and layoffs. And she works with clients to navigate claims of sexual harassment and other employee misconduct and subsequent investigations.

Cross-Border Transactions

Cross-border M&A deals are a core part of Erika’s practice. She performs due diligence to proactively identify employment risks and provides practical counsel on business transfer regulations and workforce integration considerations.

Data Privacy Compliance

As the regulations surrounding cross-border data transfers tighten, Erika helps clients keep pace with the latest compliance standards around the world. She brings particular experience with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), advising on requirements for information flows to the U.S.

Legal Background

Before joining Faegre Drinker, Erika worked as a partner at a national law firm focusing on labor and employment, litigation, and health and life sciences. While there, she distinguished herself as co-head of the firm’s international employment law group. She was also previously chair of the international employment law groups at two major international law firms.

Personal Interests

Erika was a collegiate rower and still rows with a masters group near her home in Connecticut. She loves cooking gourmet meals, traveling around the globe and walking her Cavachon puppy, Bella.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

New York

Education

University of California, Davis School of Law
J.D. (1994)

Brown University
B.A. in English and America Literature (1988)

Insights & Events

Other Perspectives
  • Anti-Fraternization Policies Globally and the Impact of #MeToo
    Author, New York Law Journal, February 21, 2021
  • The Employment Law Review
    Editor/Author, Editions 1-12, March 2011-May 2021
  • COVID-19’s Effect on the Dynamic Workplace Safety-Employee Privacy Relationship
    Co-Author, New York Law Journal, June 30, 2020
  • Viewpoint: Implement Global Policies, Not a Global Handbook
    Author, SHRM, August 16, 2019
  • The Global Impact of the #MeToo Movement (Part I)
    Author, New York Law Journal, July 10, 2018
  • China Has a #MeToo Moment but Lacks Anti-Harassment Enforcement
    Author, SHRM, July 10, 2018
  • U.S. Employers Offer Cutting-Edge Family Benefits to Stay Competitive
    Author, New York Law Journal, September 30, 2016
  • Overseas Courts Crack Down on Sex Harassment
    Author, National Law Journal, August 24, 2015
  • Global Diversity Initiatives
    Author, The International Lawyer, Vol. 46, No. 4, Winter 2012

Firm Blog Contributions

  • LaborSphere – a resource providing coverage and insights on breaking cases, recently enacted legislation and a broad range of labor issues

Leadership & Community

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association — Section of International Law, Member, 2003-present; International Employment Law Committee, Former Chair, 2005-10
  • Cambridge Forums: International Labor and Employment Law Forum — Chair, 2014-present
  • International Bar Association — Employment and Industrial Relations Law Committee, Former Co-Chair (2016-17), Senior Vice Chair (2014-16) and Vice Chair (2008-14)
  • XBHR — Member (2001-17), Former Board Member (2004-07)

Civic Activities

  • Housing Plus — Board Member, 2005-08
  • Sepsis Alliance — Board Member, 2019-present

Firm Leadership

  • Co-leader, International Employment Law Team

Honors

  • Chambers USA — New York, Labor & Employment, 2007-24
  • Best Lawyers® — Labor & Employment, 2011-20, 2022-23; Employment Law – Management, 2024-25
  • International Employment Lawyer — International Employment Lawyer of the Year – Private Practice, 2023
  • College of Labor and Employment Lawyers — Fellow
  • Who’s Who Legal — Thought Leaders USA: Labour & Employment, 2023-24
  • Who’s Who Legal — Global Elite Thought Leader: Labour & Employment, 2023
  • Who’s Who Legal — Labour, Employment & Benefits, 2018, 2020-24
  • International Employment Lawyer — Women Leaders, 2022
  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2022
  • Lexology — Client Choice Award, Labor & Employment, 2016
  • Euromoney Legal Media Group — Americas Women in Business Law, Best in Labor & Employment, 2015
  • The Legal 500 — Labor & Employment, 2013, 2015-20
  • Super Lawyers — New York, 2007-16
  • Who’s Who Legal — The International Who’s Who of Management, Labour & Employment, 2007-13
  • University of California, Davis School of Law — American Jurisprudence Award, Corporations, 1994