The Legal 500

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, tier 4

Wilfred Goris heads Ambos NBGO’s team, which is ‘responsive, knowledgeable’, ‘hands-on’, and has ‘particular expertise in the technology sector’. David Dessers, who is ‘pragmatic’ and ‘extraordinarily available and responsive’, recently advised MarkaVIP on its $5m Series A funding led by Silicon Valley venture capital firm Lumia Capital. Associate Pieter Capiau is also recommended.

Within Corporate and M&A, tier 4

Ambos NBGO’s nine-partner team is ‘extremely responsive’ and ‘approachable, efficient and pragmatic’. The ‘very experienced’ David Dessers advises Clear2Pay NV on all its business and legal needs, including having acted on various recent acquisitions. New clients include ThromboGenics and Thetys Petroleum. Jens Van Hecke shows ‘great legal acumen’, and is recommended along with Kurt Faes, ‘dedicated’ senior associate Anneleen Vander Elstraeten and up-and-coming associate Pieter Capiau.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

Ambos NBGO’s 11-partner practice gives ‘clear and precise advice’, and has ‘demonstrable knowledge’. ‘Efficient’ practice head Ingrid Van Clemen is expert in international trade and transport cases, and the ‘experienced’ Kathleen Paisley focuses on international arbitration. Wilfred Goris is ‘thorough and unflustered’.

Within Intellectual property, Ambos NBGO is a third tier firm,

Ambos NBGO’s team has ‘a business-centric mindset’ and ‘client-oriented approach’. It advised a number of non-contentious patent matters and is particularly strong in the IT sector. It advised Belgian biotechnology company ThromboGenics on its patent licensing agreement with Alcon for eye drug Ocriplasmin. Practice head Kathleen Paisley is ‘exceptional’ and Bart Vandereeckt ‘goes the extra mile for clients’.

Within Labour and employment, tier 4

The ‘excellent’ Ambos NBGO mainly advises corporate clients on employment matters. The ‘friendly and knowledgeable’ Carl Bevernage and Johan Kerremans are recommended. Clients include Expedia, Pfizer and Clear2Pay, the latter of which the firm represented in a dismissal case before the Labour Court.

Within Real estate, Ambos NBGO is a second tier firm,

Ambos NBGO has a substantial real estate practice, with seven partners dedicating significant time to the area. The firm advises Autogrill on all real estate matters in the Benelux region and also acts for public authorities in Council of State proceedings pertaining to administrative decisions regarding land allocation plans, building permits and environmental permits.

Within Shipping and transport, Ambos NBGO is a first tier firm,

Ambos NBGO provides ‘excellent service and accurate and appropriate advice’. The firm acts for a number of longstanding clients, including the Port Authority of Ghent, handling litigation, contractual matters and general advisory work across all transport sectors with particular strength in shipping. David Dessers and Jens Van Hecke are ‘very good’ and combine ‘in-depth legal experience with good business acumen’. The ‘efficient and reliable Ingrid Van Clemen has broad expertise and ‘a high level of legal knowledge’ in maritime law.