The Legal 500

Within Aviation, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Dominique Lechien spearheads Baker & McKenzie’s aviation team, which recently advised Brussels Airlines on various aircraft leasing issues. Michael Van Acker is recommended for asset finance.

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie delivers an ‘excellent overall level of service’, and its ‘results-oriented’ lawyers have ‘very good industry knowledge’. Big-ticket transactions include advising BNP Paribas Fortis as a lead arranger of a €600m syndicated facility for Delhaize Group. Antoine De Raeve is a ‘strong negotiator’, highly regarded for his ‘indisputable expertise and deal insight’; Michael Van Acker is ‘very experienced and a top lawyer’; and Dominique Lechien is also recommended.

Within Competition, tier 4

Bill Batchelor’s team at Baker & McKenzie lost Anne MacGregor to Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP in late 2011, but subsequently brought in aviation expert Gavin Bushell to redress the balance. Highlights included advising Computer Sciences Corporation on a merger notification and achieving successful outcomes for Trade Stomil and Mitsubishi in their respective appeals in two major cartel investigations. Pharmaceuticals specialist Fiona Carlin’s advice is ‘pragmatic as well as legally impeccable’.

Within Corporate and M&A , Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie is a ‘strong reliable house with consistent quality and motivated manpower’, and its lawyers have ‘a clear understanding of their clients’ business’. The firm assisted Argenta in a €150m public offering and was also involved in a number of secondary offerings on the Belgian market in the biotech sector. Recommended individuals include Jean-François Vandenberghe and Arne Gutermann, who have ‘a commercial attitude’; Peter Leys and Dominique Maes, who ‘make a good team’; and Koen Vanhaerents, who is ‘ideal for difficult negotiations’.

Within Dispute resolution, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie acted for Massive Media in a damages claim against its data centre operator for negligence, resulting in substantial power failure and rack outages, which caused data loss and corruption. Koen De Winter is the key contact for contentious IP, and Pierre Sculier is experienced in IP, labour and commercial disputes.

Within Environment, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie has ‘good understanding of specific business problems’ in complex environmental issues, and is recommended for its fast response times. Pascal Mallien, whose ‘reputation, knowledge and reactivity is of a great benefit’, leads the team, which recently acted for Mobistar in contentious issues relating to the possible danger of electromagnetic radiation; and handled soil contamination and vapour intrusion matters for Procter & Gamble at Duracell’s main battery factory.

Within Information technology, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie’s key IT contacts are Daniel Fesler, an expert in public procurement of IT, and Koen De Winter, who mainly advises Belgian and international companies on issues relating to hardware and software licensing and distribution.

Within Intellectual property, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s IP department is led by Koen De Winter, who specialises in contentious and non-contentious IP, with an interest in cases relating to advertising and fair trade. His group recently represented leading Belgian telecommunications integrator Nextel in a trade mark and domain name infringement case. Other clients include Nokia, HP and Calvin Klein. Pierre Sculier is also recommended.

Within Labour and employment, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

‘One of the best for employment matters’, Baker & McKenzie is ‘committed to its clients’ and gives ‘pragmatic and legally impeccable advice’. The ‘solutions-oriented’ François Gabriel heads the group, which recently advised Western Union Financial Services on restructuring its Belgian activities and consequently reducing the workforce. Nancy Luyten is ‘an expert in her domain’, and Jozef Slootmans has ‘very good know-how’.

Within Real estate, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

‘Clearly at the top’, Baker & McKenzie recently acted for Datalouise on the transfer of all real estate rights pertaining to part of a building on Avenue Louise to a group of private investors. Practice head Dominique Lechien is ‘one of the very best in continental Europe, with an unrivalled talent for negotiation’. Clients also ‘really enjoy working with’ Rudy Dupont, ‘not only for his skills, but also for his personality’.

Within Tax, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s tax practice is driven by Alain Huyghe, who assists clients with contentious tax matters as well as domestic and international tax planning and transfer pricing. Philippe Lion, who is recommended for corporate and international tax, advised Nyrstar on the legal and tax aspects of its €490m rights offering, which involved a review of the entire group’s tax structure. Other recent work for the practice includes advising Gimv on tax aspects of a new infrastructure investment fund, and obtaining a tax ruling for AG Insurance on the tax implications of an “umbrella” life insurance contract.