The Legal 500

This section covers Belgian law only. Readers should refer to the EU regulatory section for firms with expertise in EU environmental law, including the WEEE and RoHS directives.

Allen & Overy LLP is ‘certainly among the top firms for environmental matters’, and the practice has notable REACH expertise. The group, led by the ‘very competent and dedicated’ Gauthier van Thuyne, recently acted for Macquarie Airports, one of the world’s largest private airport owner/operators, on the environmental aspects of the sale of its interests in Brussels Airport to a Canadian pension fund. Other clients include TUI, C-Power and Honeywell.

Baker & McKenzie has ‘good understanding of specific business problems’ in complex environmental issues, and is recommended for its fast response times. Pascal Mallien, whose ‘reputation, knowledge and reactivity is of a great benefit’, leads the team, which recently acted for Mobistar in contentious issues relating to the possible danger of electromagnetic radiation; and handled soil contamination and vapour intrusion matters for Procter & Gamble at Duracell’s main battery factory.

DLA Piper has a strong practice for all matters relating to environmental permits, air and soil pollution, and waste. In 2011, the firm represented SITA Belgium in various environmental matters, and Eandis in a dispute relating to the sale of contaminated land. Practice head Bob Martens and Dominique Devos are recommended.

At NautaDutilh, Patrick Peeters focuses on environmental and energy issues in Flanders; while the ‘very efficient’ François Tulkens handles environmental and urban planning issues, as well as administrative litigation in the Walloon and Brussels regions. Recent work includes representing Renault in proceedings relating to soil pollution at a former assembly plant.

Led by Jan Bouckaert, Stibbe’s environmental practice impresses clients with its ‘theoretic, yet pragmatic knowledge and solution-driven approach’. Monique Kestemont is recommended for planning advice, and clients also note the ‘quite remarkable’ skills of the senior associates in the team. AG Real Estate, Allfin Group and The Federal Agency for Nuclear Control are clients.

LDR Milieuadvocaten is an environment and planning law specialist, and has extensive expertise in climate and energy issues. Peter De Smedt focuses on international water legislation, nature conservation regulations, environmental liability and environmental enforcement law. Isabelle Larmuseau is also recommended.

Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick provides an ‘outstanding service with profound market and industry knowledge’, and acts for clients such as Veolia, Total and IKEA. Practice head Bernard Deltour, who is ‘very good’ and ‘a charming lawyer, with good political insight’, is expert in waste and soil pollution issues.

While acting as support to its corporate and real estate departments, Linklaters’ environment team also handles standalone assignments and public law matters. Practice head Lieve Swartenbroux specialises in environment, energy and planning law, and ‘always provides excellent actionable legal advice that takes into account business considerations’. Clients include GDF Suez and AG Real Estate.

Lydian is ‘a hardworking firm you want alongside you when matters get tough’. It is advising StoraEnso Langerbrugge, a leading European packaging and paper products company, on several matters, including reviewing its procurement contracts relating to refuse-derived fuel. Wouter Neven is ‘motivated, client focused and highly responsive’.

Delivering ‘appropriate and up-to-the-point advice’, Publius is going from strength to strength in the public law field, and welcomed Günther L’heureux, a specialist in environmental and administrative matters, to the team in May 2011. This 12-lawyer boutique is advising the Flemish government on matters relating to noise control norms at various Belgian airports.

Altius (in co-operation with Tiberghien) acts for clients such as CRH, Delhaize and Cummins. William Timmermans is the key contact, and is recommended along with Lieven Peeters.

CMS DeBacker’s Luc Depré has a ‘clear vision of environmental problems and the way to address them’. Clients include EDF and the Walloon government.

Niche firm Haumont Scholasse & Partners specialises in environment, property and planning law. Francis Haumont and Michel Scholasse are noteworthy practitioners.

Hunton & Williams LLP’s environment group focuses on utility and factory site issues and environmental product regulation, and is acting for Baxter and Electronic Industries Alliance. Lucas Bergkamp is highly regarded.

Monard – D’Hulst has a strong non-contentious practice, underpinned by considerable environmental litigation expertise, and it defends companies and public authorities before the Belgian courts.

Verhaegen Walravens’ vastly experienced partner Catherine Wijnants assists private clients and public authorities across the Flemish, Brussels Metropolitan and Walloon regions on a range of environmental issues.