Mr Dirk Van Liedekerke > CMS EU > Brussels, Belgium > Lawyer Profile

CMS‘ ‘tech-savvy’ technology, media and communications team stands out for its comprehensive handling of technology and communications matters, spanning contentious and non-contentious work. Internet of Things projects, cyber incident response and cross-border data transfers are some of the group’s focus areas. ‘Truly exceptional lawyer’ Dirk Van Liedekerke co-chairs the team; his varied portfolio of work incorporates advice to major EU public operators on electronic communications regulation and contentious work related to inter-operator conflicts. IT expert Tom De Cordier completes the leadership team and is well versed in the implementation of the EU Data Act and mandates pertaining to AI. Deven Dobbelaere is a known name for telecoms regulatory advice.

CMS is well placed to handle both large international and domestic projects for a client base that includes major technology and e-commerce companies alongside cable channels and international football organisations. IP and domain name disputes specialist Tom Heremans jointly leads the team with electronic communication regulations expert Dirk Van Liedekerke. The team benefits from access to the firm’s network of local media law experts across a wide range of EU member states.

Between them, CMS‘ senior practitioners Annabelle Lepièce and Dirk Van Liedekerke provide both breadth of expertise and clear industry focus, with the former standing out for her knowledge of state aid work in the aviation sector, while the latter is widely recognised for his expertise at the intersection of competition and telecoms law. Antitrust cases, merger control proceedings, cartel investigations, and issues relating to foreign direct investments are also capably handled by the wider team.

Besides assisting a number of digital banks, payment providers, and IT startups with an array of regulatory, tax, and project support questions, CMS also leverages its TMT expertise to advise international companies in a wide range of sectors on the launch of e-insurance, e-payment, and verification projects. The team is particularly well versed in providing regulatory advice on cross-border fintech transactions and partnerships as well as on Belgian market entries. Benoît Vandervelde assists financial institutions and fintech companies with regulatory matters, with an increasing focus on the crypto space; he co-heads the team with electronic communications and competition specialist Dirk Van Liedekerke and data privacy expert Tom De Cordier.

CMS acts for clients in complex and cross-border litigation spanning shareholder rights issues, unfair trade practices, banking disputes, and insolvency and restructuring work. The firm is adept at handling cases concerning technology elements, acting for clients including Amazon, Deliveroo and Meta, and has a capable cross-firm arbitration practice. Renaud Dupont and Tom Heremans lead the team that consists of ‘stellar EU law and litigation counsel‘ Dirk Van Liedekerke and Matthieu Van Lierde and Alexis Laes, who are commended for being ‘strong lawyers with great client management skills’.