The Legal 500

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, Lydian is a third tier firm,

Lydian’s ‘creative, thoughtful and extremely responsive’ team ‘understands the needs and expectations of international financial institutions’. The ‘excellent’ Tom Geudens recently led the team's advice to the initial purchasers – Citigroup, J.P. Morgan Securities, Standard Chartered, Crédit Agricole, Nordea, UniCredit, KBC Bank and RBS – on the partial refinancing of Sappi Group. ‘Hardworking’ associate Pieter Meeus was also involved in the deal. Peter De Ryck and Patrick Della Faille are also recommended.

Within Corporate and M&A, Lydian is a third tier firm,

Lydian handles M&A, restructuring and divestments. Peter De Ryck recently led advice to Naxicap during its €220m acquisition of Accent from GIMV, the Belgian private equity fund, which was one of the largest private equity deals in 2012. Patrick della Faille is also recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, Lydian is a first tier firm,

Lydian’s ‘very good’ practice shows responsiveness and ‘industry knowledge’. Insurance law is an area of strength and, after successfully representing Dexia Insurance Belgium in a class action initiated by 37 French-speaking agents, is now assisting the client in settlement negotiations with more than 200 Dutch-speaking agents. Sandra Lodewijckx and practice head Hugo Keulers are recommended.

Within Environment, Lydian is a second tier firm,

Lydian ‘combines outstanding legal skills with effective and timely communication’. The team works closely with the firm’s regulatory and energy practices and is assisting several cities and municipalities with contentious and non-contentious environmental matters, including issues relating to PPP projects. ‘Experienced’ team head Wouter Neven has ‘a thorough understanding of the Belgian market’.

Within Fraud and white-collar crime, Lydian is a second tier firm,

Lydian is praised for its responsiveness, industry knowledge and ‘to-the-point, practical advice’. Practice head Hugo Keulers is recommended, and Antwerp-based Yves Lenders is ‘very good’. The firm is particularly strong in employee fraud cases, for which Jan Hofkens is recommended.

Within Intellectual property, Lydian is a third tier firm,

Lydian handles all aspects of IP law and is particularly expert in anti-counterfeiting matters. The firm advises key client Guccio Gucci on counterfeiting issues on an ongoing basis and is also representing the client in a trade mark cancellation litigation. Practice head Annick Mottet Haugaard is highly experienced.

Within Labour and employment, Lydian is a second tier firm,

Lydian’s three-partner team is well regarded. Practice head Jan Hofkens focuses on restructuring and advising executives. Isabel Plets, who was promoted to counsel in January 2012, has particular expertise in the public sector. Alexander Vandenbergen led the team in assisting the Joint Labour Committee of the Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Industry in Belgium with establishing an industry-wide pension scheme. Stijn Demeestere specialises in incentives and discrimination.

Within Real estate, Lydian is a first tier firm,

Lydian’s ‘outstanding’ team provides ‘timely assistance’ and practice head Wouter Neven is ‘one of the best in commercial real estate’. Clients of the practice include the Kinepolis Group and KBC Real Estate. Senior associate Stefanie Debeuf, who joined from Stibbe in September 2012, focuses on construction law, real estate, contract law and PPP.

Within Shipping and transport, Lydian is a second tier firm,

Lydian’s transport and shipping team is led by John Stoop, who specialises in commercial and maritime law. Yves Lenders heads the newly established ports and logistics team.