Laurius > Antwerp, Belgium > Firm Profile

Laurius
OUDELEEUWENRUI 19
2000 ANTWERP
Belgium

Email firm Visit website 32 3 260 88 00 32 3 260 88 10

Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4

The corporate practice at Laurius comprises a large roster of lawyers capable of advising Belgian and international clients on a wide range of mid-market M&A, spanning real estate transactions, private equity deals, carve-outs, and distressed acquisitions. The consortium of practice heads includes managing partner Dirk Wellens, who is noted for his restructuring and M&A expertise, David Ryckaert, who is an expert in corporate litigation and venture capital transactions, real estate and healthcare transaction specialist Christina Trappeniers, and private equity expert Caroline Wildemeersch.

Practice head(s):

Dirk Wellens; David Ryckaert; Caroline Wildemeersch; Christina Trappeniers

Testimonials

‘Highly flexible, capable of adapting to our business constraints, and focused on our needs in terms of understanding our business.’

Key clients

Healthcare Activos Yield SOCIMI SA

Buysse & Partners Smart Assets

ACG Group

BMB Bouwmaterialen

Induscabel Sanitaire & Techniques SA

Mainetti

Circet Benelux NV

Unique NV

Copus Group

Orelia Zorg NV

Bingli NV

Belga Films

Qhold International NV

Silex Insight SA

Kozmoz Universe

Work highlights

Advised Buysse & Partners Smart Assets NV (BPSA) on the acquisition of the Las Palmas building in Rotterdam.
Advised the shareholders of Callens, Pirenne, Theunissen & C° BV on the sale of their accounting firm Vandelanotte.
Advised Itinecar NV on the acquisition of Vernaeve NV.

Belgium > Dispute resolution Tier 4

The ‘reactive and knowledgeable team‘ at Laurius handles litigation for domestic and international clients across a wide range of industry sectors, with a particular focus on shareholders’ disputes, director’s liability claims, and post-acquisition disputes; banking litigation is another key strength of the team. Bert Luyten, a co-founding partner of the firm, leads the team with extensive knowledge of financial liability and fraud claims. Fellow co-head Karen Vermaere is skilled across commercial litigation, mediation, and arbitration proceedings.

Practice head(s):

Bert Luyten; Karen Vermaere

Other key lawyers:

Stephanie Joris

Testimonials

‘Laurius’ dispute resolution practice fields a reactive and knowledgeable team led by Bert Luyten. They are capable of analysing a situation with a holistic approach and therefore suggest technical and adequate means to solve existing and potential problems that clients are facing.’

‘Solutions offered and suggested to clients are tailor-made by a team who knows how to listen to clients.’

‘Excellent knowledge, a business mindset, and fast responses.’

‘The team is very practical and strategic in one. I have worked with them on several files and in each case their approach was solid and realistic, and the follow-up was always speedy.’

‘Bert Luyten and Karen Vermaere; both are very sharp minded litigators; knowledgeable, practical and creative, which is a wonderful combination. They know the Belgian litigation market extremely well and this helps in the guidance one needs as a client. A top go-to team!’

‘Bert Luyten has vast experience in litigation, is very smart, creative and practical.’

‘Stephanie Joris is an amazing person who supported my case, my business, my team, my partner and myself in the best way possible. Her overview on all procedures, in depth knowhow of all details, understanding of the business, honest and fast feedback. She is a smart and wise person in general that every entrepreneur would like to have in his/her team.’

Belgium > Employment Tier 4

Experienced restructuring and collective bargaining expert Damien Stas de Richelle heads up the employment practice at Laurius, which routinely advises multinational entities on local regulatory matters, guides clients through restructuring endeavours, and handles sensitive senior-level dismissals. The team is particularly active in advising international franchises and growth companies on the set-up of Belgian activities.

Practice head(s):

Damien Stas de Richelle

Testimonials

‘Highly available, adapts to the company’s context, delivers relevant and understandable advice without too much legal jargon.’

‘Team are all very friendly, efficient and willing to help.’

‘Very good contact with the partner Damien Stas de Richelle.’

Key clients

AGP E-Glass

European Travel Commission

Eurochem

Itineris

Indeed

JCDecaux

Greenhouse Talent

Climate Finance Fund

Joe & the Juice

Nacional de Reaseguro

Work highlights

Advised The Climate Finance Fund on regulatory questions surrounding how employers can lawfully collect race and ethnicity background information from their employees for the purpose of tracking the diversity makeup of its portfolio of grantees.
Advised Greenhouse Talent on the framework of the acquisition of Gent Jazz on several cases of dismissals and the harmonisation of the employment conditions of transferring employees.
Assisted Joe & The Juice with various HR-related matters, including drafting employment agreements, work regulations, and policies.

Belgium > Real estate and construction Tier 4

Laurius is a popular choice for M&A deals and investments in real estate, and it frequently acts for institutional and private equity investors. The practice is led by Michael Bollen, who ‘increases and improves negotiations rather than slowing them down or overcomplicating them‘ and Christina Trappeniers, who specialises in domestic and cross-border healthcare sector deals.

Practice head(s):

Michael Bollen; Christina Trappeniers

Testimonials

‘Michael Bollen follows up on his file from very close by. Nothing drags on and he increases and improves negotiations rather than slowing them down or overcomplicating them. A lawyer who understands his clients and can work for somewhat more sophisticated parties – holding back when necessary and pushing through when possible.’

Key clients

Prologis

Buysse & Partners Smart Living

Healthcare Activos Yield Socimi SA

My-Assist

Orelia NV

Phenix NV/Bruvaco NV

Quares Residential Investment

Tristan Capital Partners

Whitewood Capital

Yally NV

Work highlights

Acted as lead counsel for HEALTHCARE ACTIVOS YIELD SOCIMI, S.A (HA) in its acquisition of a portfolio of six homes for elderly care from AG Insurance NV. The acquisition marks the debut of HA on the Belgian market.
Assisted Tristan Capital Partners and Whitewood Capital as the sole legal firm in Belgium with the landmark acquisition of a distribution and warehouse complex in Nivelles. This transaction was structured as a share deal entailing a Grade A 80,000 sqm logistics campus.
Assisted Quares Residential Investment BV, a private investment fund, in acquiring properties in Mechelen (Auweghem) and Antwerp (Mortsel – Edwardshof), comprising multiple apartments, underground storages, parking and common green areas through several transactions.

The firm: Laurius is a premier business law firm with offices in Antwerp and Brussels, assisting both domestic and international clients across a variety of industry sectors.

The team is best known for its proactive and creative approach and shows high personal commitment, knowhow and client service.

Corporate, M&A and private equity: Laurius assists domestic and international clients, offering local expertise on all aspects of public and private corporate transactions.

The corporate lawyers have acted in a wide range of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buy-outs, private equity, venture capital transactions, corporate restructuring, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic alliances.

Management counselling: Laurius has market-leading experience and has developed specific know-how on the negotiation and implementation of management incentive schemes in prominent LBO transactions.

Litigation, arbitration, dispute resolution: Laurius handles business to business litigation for both domestic and international clients across a variety of industry sectors, including IT, precious metals, healthcare, dredging and marine engineering, chemicals, manufacturing and food and beverage, energy, as well as work for individuals. The firm has specific and extensive expertise in shareholders’ disputes, post-acquisition disputes, asset recovery, banking and financial law disputes, commercial disputes related to agency, distribution, supply, logistics and IT agreements and complex litigation in general.

Real estate: Laurius has comprehensive experience, expertise and market knowledge in transactions involving retail property, warehouses and industrial real estate, student accommodation, senior care real estate, offices, hotels, car parks and residential properties.

Laurius assists clients in negotiating and drafting agreements for the transfer of real estate and of real estate companies and also ensures real estate due diligence. Laurius takes care of the redaction of lease contracts and provides advice with respect to real estate structuring and property rights, regarding joint ventures and real estate financing and represents client’s interests in real estate litigation.

Employment: Laurius helps with all aspects of employment (including dismissals and redundancies, welfare policy, restructuring, transfers of undertakings, new start-ups, management companies, etc…)

Commercial: Laurius has market-leading experience in drafting commercial and partnership agreements including sales, agency, distribution, licensing, IT, logistics and construction agreements. Laurius’ services include regulatory and compliance advice.

Estate planning: Laurius advises on the structuring, management and transfer of family assets and assists in the context of inheritance planning and succession disputes.

Department	Name	Email	Telephone
Corporate and M&A, Private Equity, Management Counselling, Estate Planning	Dirk Wellens	dirk.wellens@laurius.be	+32 3 260 88 00
Litigation, Arbitration, Dispute Resolution	Bert Luyten	bert.luyten@laurius.be	+32 3 260 88 00
Corporate and M&A, Private Equity, Management Counselling, Venture Capital	David Ryckaert	david.ryckaert@laurius.be	+32 2 313 87 87
Real Estate	Michael Bollen	michael.bollen@laurius.be	+32 2 313 87 87
Litigation, Arbitration, Dispute Resolution, Commercial	Karen Vermaere	karen.vermaere@laurius.be	+32 3 260 88 00
Employment	Damien Stas de Richelle	damien.stasderichelle@laurius.be	+32 2 313 87 87
Corporate and M&A, Private Equity, Management Counselling, Real Estate	Christina Trappeniers	christina.trappeniers@laurius.be	+32 2 313 87 87
Corporate and M&A, Private Equity, Management Counselling	Caroline Wildemeersch	caroline.wildemeersch@laurius.be	+32 2 313 87 87

Dispute resolution

Antwerp, Belgium

+3232608800

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Corporate

Brussels, Belgium

+3232608800

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Real Estate

Brussels, Belgium

+3223138787

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Name	Position	Profile
Mr Gerrit Hendrikx	Gerrit Hendrikx, master in law and sociology, started his career as a…	View Profile
Mrs Stephanie Joris	As a senior associate at Laurius, she puts her shoulders to the…	View Profile
Mr Philippe Loix	Philippe Loix focuses on cases in corporate law, real estate law and…	View Profile
Mr Bert Luyten	Bert Luyten is co-founder of Laurius. With more than 25 years’ experience,…	View Profile
Ms Ayse Özkan	Ayse Özkan has been reinforcing the ranks of the Laurius corporate department…	View Profile
Mr Sam Spranghers	That corporate law is a branch of law that suits Sam Spranghers…	View Profile
Mrs Christina Trappeniers	With a passion for corporate and real estate law, senior partner Christina…	View Profile
Mr Lucas Van Geel	Since 2020, Lucas Van Geel has strengthened the Laurius law firm. He…	View Profile
Mr Rainier Van Ghyseghem	Rainier Van Ghyseghem has a highly qualitative knowledge of company law, private…	View Profile
Mr Zeno Vanregemorter	Zeno Vanregemorter has outstanding experience in corporate litigation, both in financial and…	View Profile
Mrs Eline Verelst	Eline Verelst has been an established member of the dispute resolution team…	View Profile
Mrs Karen Vermaere	Karen Vermaere is a senior partner and has been a lawyer at…	View Profile
Mr Matthias Verschaffel	Matthias Verschaffel obtained a master’s degree in law and corporate law and…	View Profile
Mr Dirk Wellens	Dirk Wellens is managing partner and founder of Laurius. With more than…	View Profile
Mrs Caroline Wildemeersch	Caroline Wildemeersch is a senior partner at Laurius and specialises in the…	View Profile