Hogan Lovells International LLP > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile

‘Hogan Lovells’ Belgian European Regulatory practice is unique for me in regards to how close they stay with the client and work with us to solve issues and remove barriers for the success of the project. For that, they have shown great creativity and flexibility.‘

‘Very competent team for Brexit related problems, with good relations with authorities in the United Kingdom and the European Union.‘

‘Can provide very throrough analysis on a very difficult topic.‘

‘The regulatory/food practice at Hogan Lovells Brussels has a unique expertise in EU food and feed safety regulatory area, from a legal and policy perspective, and coupled with deep business acumen. Easy to work with, approachable and responsive and very professional.‘

‘The team are very responsive and quick to jump on calls to discuss urgent issues that arise. They provide practical advice and are proactive in looking for solutions to issues.‘

‘Jacqueline Mailly is our go-to regulatory expert. I have worked with some others in the past, but Jacqueline is the most committed, knowledgeable and experienced regulatory expert I know. Plus, she’s very client focused, and a savvy business partner.  Would recommend her anytime for food law regulatory issues.‘

‘The expertise, availability and pragmatism of Hogan Lovells (and more especially Charles-Henri Bernard and Philip Van Steenwinkel) are exceptional.’

‘They have a very specific place on the market because of the very close and good contact with the regulators.’

‘Both Charles-Henri Bernard and Philip Van Steenwinkel are open for discussions and not purely dedicated to the “billing” aspect. They will first take the time to understand the issue and give a global opinion. This approach achieves a very interesting level of quality, thanks to a specific focus on the underlying technical issue.’

‘The team is very strong. They know the local market very well and always look for solutions that are practical and commercially feasible, but nevertheless robust. Even though the Belgian team is still relatively small in size, the breadth of the Hogan Lovells international network backing allows them to source know-how efficiently and support us on a broad range of topics.’

‘The team is very close to its clients. Philip Van Steenwinkel and Charles-Henri Bernard are easily reachable and truly invest in the relationship. They not only bring the quality you expect from a top-notch firm like Hogan Lovells, but they are also keen to truly support your business on a daily basis.’

‘This practice is extremely collaborative and efficient in gathering information and providing helpful and practical advice for us. Their portal helps us keep our information together and we can collaborate well using this method.’

‘Fabien Roy and Hélène Boland provide great value for our company. Hélène is resourceful and works with colleagues in a cost effective manner. They provide a holistic approach to our business and consider our goals and objectives. They are an extension of our business and not just a service provider.’

‘What made the difference for us is that Hogan Lovells has always ensured they get a deep understanding of our relevant products and associated business processes, which allows them to provide very specialised and to the point advice, with a very business-orientated mindset. They have also taken on a coordinating role when we require advice touching upon different markets.’

‘Fabien Roy provides very specialised and business-orientated advice. We especially appreciate that he puts himself in the shoes of in-house counsel to anticipate our needs.’

‘HL International has a great asset of experts in different fields that makes their advice usually very useful. They show a genuine interest in getting to know your company, products and the problems you are facing, so that they are able to offer the best service possible. They possess a very good knowledge of the intricacies of the current regulatory landscape in the EU and guide you through those very effectively.’

‘Fabien Roy is always available for a chat; he gets knowledgeable about your difficulties and follows up closely on his commitments. He is very interested in getting up to speed with current developments on the new regulations framework and I have even coincided with him in seminars and congresses he is attending either as a participant or as a speaker.’

‘The team is particularly strong in pharma regulatory and biotech. They have outstanding experience and collaborative and practical approach. The lawyers are very skilled, knowledgeable, extremely efficient and absolutely pleasant to work with. There isn’t a topic that they would not be able to handle and keep the top standard.’

‘Fabien Roy stands out across the region for his expertise and reliable advice. His interest in life sciences and a good sense for practical solutions makes it a pleasure to work with him! Open-minded, enthusiastic and responsive. His team is great too!’

‘Unique experience in banking and financial law matters. Exceptional knowledge of clients.’

‘Partner Philip Van Steenwinkel is exceptionally qualified. He is sharp, a quick thinker and has unrivalled market experience.’

‘The team has an in-depth knowledge of complicated financial transactions. Very experienced and knowledgeable’

‘Ivan Peeters is an authority in securitization. Philip Van Steenwinkel has a broad knowledge of financial transactions. They handle complex matters in a hands-on manner.’

‘Pragmatic and commercial.’

‘The team combines a technical knowledge which is unique on the Belgian market with a pragmatic, hands-on approach. They exceed the standard threshold of a reliable lawyer and are always looking for opportunities to better service their clients and ensuring a solution is found even for extreme complex solutions.’

‘Ivan Peeters: Always a pleasure to work with. His experience is unmatched. Charles-Henri Bernard: Upcoming talent. Learned from the best and that is clear when working with him. Strong technical knowledge and always keeping the client’s objectives and framework in mind when looking for a solution.’

‘Hogan Lovells stands out for its expertise in customs and trade matters due to its global network of specialized lawyers, deep industry knowledge, and strategic approach to international trade law. Compared to other firms, it often emphasizes collaboration across jurisdictions and provides comprehensive legal solutions tailored to clients’ needs, combining regulatory insight with practical trade experience for effective representation in international trade disputes and compliance matters.’

‘Quick reaction times. Furthermore, the team proactively includes other Hogan Lovells offices worldwide in order to expand their expertise for the question.’

‘Clear and distinct answers. Really quick reaction times.’

‘The team is very responsive and reliable. Changes in the team are announced in advance and I feel that the quality of support remains at high level at all times. I am confident that no stone was left unturned when I receive advice from the team. ’

‘Hogan Lovells lawyers possess an exceptional legal acumen, extensive experience, and a client-centric approach. They stand out by possessing a deep understanding of global trade laws and regulations, combined with a proactive and strategic mindset. Moreover, their collaborative and interdisciplinary approach ensures clients benefit from a diverse range of perspectives and expertise.’

‘Lourdes Catrain understands business needs and provides tailor-made advice. She is able to grasp the unique concerns of the industry and provide straightforward answers to particular legal questions. The wording of her advice is very clear and comprehensive. ’

‘Strong both in merger control and behavioural matters.’

‘Falk Schöning is very experienced and a creative mind when looking for pragmatic solutions.’

‘Christopher Thomas stands out for his insight, business sense and thoughtfulness in identifying the risk and trying to quantify the same for the client’s evaluation.’

‘Michel Struys has outstanding experience in EU competition law.’

‘Outstanding expertise in EU competition law. Excellent understanding of a global corporation’s business needs and interests. Strong ability to understand and consider complex technical processes and digital issues.’

‘They are highly responsive and it is a pleasure to be working with them.’

‘Marc Schweda is very familiar with our industry, having worked for us for longer than our in-house legal team. He thinks for himself and always has a cooperative attitude.’

‘The team is very professional and has deep knowledge of the industry. Due to the size of the team, even extensive mandates can be handled at short notice. The collaboration runs smoothly and flexibly. The billing is transparent.’

‘Hogan Lovells Germany has a great competition law team. Very professional and competent. On-time delivery and tailored advice.’

‘Christoph Wünschmann and Johanna Brock-Wenzek: Technically excellent, extremely deep in the subject matter and has a good strategic overview. The collaboration is extremely professional and pleasant.’

‘Very competent team that adapts flexibly to given requirements. Innovative in alternative fee arrangements for long-standing clients.’

‘Jan-Christoph Rudowicz: A highly qualified antitrust lawyer. His ability to apply competition law to complex commercial situations (where legislation does not yet exist) is exceptional. A great sparring partner for an in-house antitrust lawyer.’