The Legal 500

Allen & Overy LLP maintains a strong IT practice led by Filip van Elsen, who also chairs the firm’s global TMT practice. The team recently advised ArcelorMittal on a pan-European IT infrastructure outsourcing transaction with CSC. The other key lawyers are Geert Glas, associate Ann-Sophie De Graeve and Dieter Delarue, who was promoted to senior associate in May 2012.

Bird & Bird advises comprehensively on contentious and non-contentious IT matters, and related IP and tax matters. The team recently advised Intel Capital Corporation on its acquisition of a stake in Amplidata NV. Catherine Erkelens and Benoit Van Asbroeck are the key contacts.

‘Outstanding’ firm Crowell & Moring’s robust IT department is best known for contentious matters. It recently represented Telenet during the regulatory process regarding the Belgian regulators’ intention to mandate open access to Belgium’s cable networks. Thomas De Meese has ‘a hands-on, no-nonsense approach’ and ‘a drive for excellence’, and the ‘knowledgeable and experienced’ Flip Petillion is also recommended.

DLA Piper fields 13 lawyers dedicated to IT, outsourcing and related IP matters. Kristof De Vulder heads the practice, which advised EDF LUMINUS on its strategic call centre contract and assists longstanding client Accenture with its major technology contracts globally.

Stibbe handles IT litigation and advisory matters. Recent work includes representing Google Belgium in Belgian court summary proceedings concerning freedom of speech and personal data of Gmail account holders. The firm also advised the EU Commission on contracts and data protection aspects of the new Schengen Information System and Visa Information System Project. Other clients include Unicef, Belgacom and YouTube. Erik Valgaeren is recommended for his ‘business insight’.

Altius (in co-operation with Tiberghien) has a strong IT practice, advising a range of clients on contentious and non-contentious matters. The team is also developing its privacy and data protection practice. Work includes providing day-to-day advice to Brussels Airlines on data protection, e-commerce and online trade practises. Gerrit Vandendriessche is the name to note.

Linklaters’ TMT practice covers data protection, e-business, telecoms, and outsourcing and technology contracts. The firm frequently assists financial services clients with matters such as e-archiving, e-money and e-payments. The team has a growing outsourcing practice and advised investment firm Petercam on the outsourcing of its IT platform to a Swiss private bank. Tanguy Van Overstraeten is the key partner.

NautaDutilh’s expanding practice advised on establishing the not-for-profit European Distribution System Operators Association (EDSO), a matter led by Dirk Van Gerven. The ‘very responsive and business-minded’ Philippe Péters is also recommended.

time.lex’s lawyers are ‘well connected’, have ‘good industry knowledge’ and provide ‘practical and well-founded advice’. IT is a core practice area for this boutique firm, which successfully represented the Belgian Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) before the ECJ in the landmark EU case on whether or not a national court may order internet service providers to install copyright-infringement filters on their networks. Jos Dumortier is ‘a unique authority’ in the sector and Geert Somers provides ‘concise yet comprehensive advice’. Edwin Jacobs and the ‘client-focused and results-driven’ Hans Graux are also recommended.

Verhaegen Walravens’ well-regarded practice is particularly good for non-contentious IT matters. The firm continues to advise SoftKinetic (one of the market leaders in 3D gesture recognition platforms) on strategic partnerships and complex contractual matters. The team has also gained major new clients, which it has been advising on software development, licensing, personal data protection and electronic document retention. Emmanuel Szafran is the key partner.

Baker & McKenzie handles advisory work as well as litigation, and recently assisted a multinational industrial group with the implementation of a cloud computing initiative in the context of European data protection compliance. Daniel Fesler is highly regarded for IT, media and data protection matters, and the ‘experienced’ Koen De Winter is recommended for IT and IP advice.

CMS’ IT disputes experts succesfully represented Deckers Snoeck in a case against Business Software Alliance before the Court of Appeal of Antwerp. The team is also acting in various domain name cases, as well as e-commerce and data privacy matters. Tom Heremans, Veerle Raus and Renaud Dupont are recommended.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is particularly expert in EU regulatory matters. The firm has represented Google in various matters including the EC’s investigation into a dozen different complaints covering virtually all aspects of Google’s business.

Clifford Chance’s core IT expertise lies in related IP, competition and EU regulatory issues. Thomas Vinje chairs the firm’s global antitrust group and specialises in hi-tech matters.

De Wolf & Partners’ team is ‘quick to respond’ and ‘explain things clearly’. It advises Deutsche Telekom on IP and IT matters, including data protection and the review and negotiation of IT contracts. Jean-Paul Trialle co-heads the team with the experienced Raphaël Bailly, who joined from Capgemini in 2012. Associate Kirsten Van Gossum is also recommended.

Field Fisher Waterhouse’s ‘dedicated’ and ‘efficient’ practice represents ‘very good value for money’. Olivier Ellul has ‘remarkable knowledge of IT matters’, and senior associate Tim Van Canneyt couples ‘dedication and efficiency’ with ‘skills in IT and data privacy’. Emmanuel Roger France heads the practice.

Jones Day’s practice is linked closely to its extensive expertise in EU regulatory and competition matters, and it handles a high volume of cross-border work, drawing on the firm’s international network. The team continues to assist Apple Inc with all regulatory issues, including competition law issues concerning the launch and marketing of the iPhone and iPad in numerous jurisdictions. Alexandre Verheyden heads the practice.

Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick handles IT advisory and disputes work, and represented Electrabel on the implementation of an e-invoicing strategy. Other clients include Nespresso Belgium and RTL-Tvi. Thierry Léonard and associate Hervé Jacquemin are the key lawyers.

Data protection is a particular area of expertise for Lorenz, which recently advised a US-based commercial insurer on ad hoc data privacy issues in human resources, international data transfers and the use of social media. Jan Dhont is the key partner. Former practice head Steven De Schrijver joined Astrea in 2012.

Loyens & Loeff’s technology department is part of the firm’s IP practice. The firm is advising the Foreign Trade Association on a software licence agreement, and related contractual and compliance matters. Practice head Yves Van Couter and counsel Etienne Kairis are recommended.

White & Case LLP Avocats Advocaten’s Rolf Olofsson, who divides his time between Brussels and Washington DC, is an expert in ICT ventures. He is particularly experienced in space and satellites work, and advises government agencies and commercial enterprises on related matters.