The Legal 500

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

Simont Braun advises on contentious and non-contentious matters, including recently defending a foreign bank against 15 claims bought by clients in relation to the company’s Belgian activities prior to 2009. Non-contentious work includes advising The French Community of Belgium on its €4bn EMTN programme. Practice head Vanessa Marquette is ‘knowledgeable, trustworthy and client-oriented’.

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

Simont Braun’s practice head Sandrine Hirsch led advice to the managers of Systemat, a Belgian leading IT-Services provider, on a management buyout of operations in Belgium and Luxembourg. Clients also include AXA Private Equity and Petercam. David Ryckaert is ‘very, very good at handling M&A instructions’; he is ‘a dealmaker, who never loses sight of the goal’.

Within Dispute resolution, Simont Braun is a first tier firm,

Simont Braun has substantial litigation expertise relating to corporate, banking and finance, commercial, IP and IT matters, and recently advised several clients in a case relating to the €2bn 8.75% mandatory convertible securities issued by the former entities of the Fortis Group. The team includes Lucien Simont, a former president of the Supreme Court Bar, and two Supreme Court lawyers in practice head Paul Alain Foriers – who is ‘an eminent specialist of commercial law’ – and Caroline De Baets.

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

Simont Braun advises clients in money laundering, insider trading, market abuse and tax or labour offences. Jean-François Terlinden is recommended.

Within Intellectual property, Simont Braun is a first tier firm,

Simont Braun has a strong contentious IP practice, which covers disputes relating to trade marks, copyright, patents, designs, domain names and plant varieties. Eric de Gryse has a particular focus on patents and technology-related cases and trade mark law, while Fernand de Visscher also handles patent matters, as well as the protection of designs and artistic and literary works. The group’s expertise also encompasses seizure and piracy matters.

Within Real estate, Simont Braun is a second tier firm,

Simont Braun’s real estate, construction and administrative law department is led by Manuela Von Kuegelgen, who ‘always has practical insight, and access to the main players in the Brussels real estate market’. Michèle Borgers and Béatrice Thieffry are also recommended. The department’s clients include REITs, public institutions and insurance companies.