The Legal 500

Within Competition, Van Bael & Bellis is a second tier firm,

Practice head Jean-François Bellis is the ‘driving force behind the competition group’ at Van Bael & Bellis, for which highlights included acting for Chimei in its General Court appeal against a €300m fine for involvement in a LCD panel cartel, and representing CISAC (and several collection societies) in litigation against the EC. Cartels expert Kris Van Hove shows ‘excellent judgement’: he recently helped Elpida Memory through to settlement following the DRAM cartel investigation, the first time the EC had implemented its new settlement procedure. Markus Wellinger gains praise for his ‘extensive knowledge’ and ‘fair billing’, and Porter Elliott provides ‘quick, practical advice’ and has a ‘sophisticated understanding of the European Commission’. The team of 25 fee-earners is ‘excellent in all dimensions of practice’, and attracts a steady supply of referrals from US law firms.

Within Corporate and M&A , Van Bael & Bellis is a third tier firm,

Van Bael & Bellis’ ‘extremely customer-focused and very proactive’ team acts for blue-chip clients such as American Express, Coca-Cola and Vodafone. In autumn 2010, the firm represented Brinks International on the restructuring of Brink’s Belgium, which involved internal restructuring, complex negotiations with the trade unions and the Ministry of Labour, and, eventually, the bankruptcy of Brink’s Belgium. Martin Favart is now the main contact, following Pascal Faes’ departure to NautaDutilh.

Within Customs, trade, WTO and anti-dumping, Van Bael & Bellis is a first tier firm,

Van Bael & Bellis’ ‘top-notch’ team is well recognised for anti-dumping cases, but also handles work relating to customs and WTO matters, and clients consider hiring the practice to be ‘money well spent, when stakes are high’. The group successfully represented Chinese Taipei and Japan in a WTO dispute concerning the implementation of the EU’s Information Technology Agreement. This sizeable team includes Jean-François Bellis, who is ‘a master of his domain’; Richard Luff, who is ‘excellent to work with’; the ‘logical and practical’ Philippe De Baere; and Benoît Servais, who has ‘vast case experience’. Pablo Muñiz was made partner in 2011.

Within Dispute resolution, Van Bael & Bellis is a second tier firm,

Van Bael & Bellis is commended for its ‘very high service levels and proactive approach’, and represents clients such as AstraZeneca, Coca-Cola and GlaxoSmithKline. The ‘creative and thorough’ Catherine Longeval is recommended for employment, pharmaceuticals and unfair trade litigation. Martin Favart and Peter L’Ecluse are also key figures in the practice.

Within Chemicals (REACH), Van Bael & Bellis is a first tier firm,

Van Bael & Bellis advises a number of major international clients (including Honda Motors) on REACH-related issues. The group continues to advise longstanding client Minerals Technologies on its role in REACH consortia. Reshad Forbes is ‘absolutely top notch with regard to both quality and responsiveness’.

Within Environment (including WEEE and RoHS), Van Bael & Bellis is a first tier firm,

Van Bael & Bellis monitors environmental regulatory developments that might affect the products of its largely Asian clients, and the subsequent EU trade issues involved. Vastly experienced group leader Reshad Forbes is noted for his ‘precise analysis’ of the issues at hand. He recently acted for Kyocera Mita Europe and Canon Europe on WEEE and RoHS compliance issues.

Within Food , Van Bael & Bellis is a first tier firm,

Van Bael & Bellis made a key hire when it recruited counsel Katia Merten-Lentz, an ‘expert on the legal and scientific aspects of food regulation’, from Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.. Reshad Forbes is recommended for food safety matters.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology , Van Bael & Bellis is a first tier firm,

Van Bael & Bellis represents pharmaceuticals companies and healthcare clients in health claims and advertising matters. Clients appreciate the team’s ‘quick response times’ and ‘visibility in industry associations’. Group head Peter L’Ecluse is ‘very professional’.

Within Privacy and data protection , Van Bael & Bellis is a first tier firm,

Van Bael & Bellis advises Air Berlin on data transfer and routine data protection matters. Other areas of specialism include whistleblowing and the ePrivacy Directive. Lead partner Monika Kuschewsky has a wealth of knowledge on US data privacy law.

Within Information technology, tier 4

Monika Kuschewsky heads Van Bael & Bellis’ European data protection practice, and also has expertise in outsourcing, HR and direct marketing.

Within Intellectual property, Van Bael & Bellis is a third tier firm,

Peter L’Ecluse leads Van Bael & Bellis’ IP team, which recently represented Canon and Sony in matters relating to counterfeit imports. The firm also advised an international pharmaceuticals company on strategies to defend products against patent claims by rivals.

Within Labour and employment, tier 4

Van Bael & Bellis is representing MPS Group International (now part of Adecco) in a case bought by former employees claiming constructive or abusive dismissal. Clients also include Hyundai, Red Commerce and Deli XL. Practice head Catherine Longeval specialises in litigation concerning collective and individual employment law.

Within Legal market overview,

High-profile lateral hires in the market included Field Fisher Waterhouse poaching employment partner Stefan Nerinckx from Laga, and NautaDutilh recruiting Pascal Faes from Van Bael & Bellis to bolster its tax department. Linklaters’ competition team lost former department head Johan Ysewyn to Clifford Chance and Alec Burnside to Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. Niche IP firm Hoyng Monégier LLP absorbed a number of partners from the dissolved Howrey LLP.