Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick is able to advise on the full range of environmental law and related matters, including waste management, pollution, permitting, and project management, combining regulatory capabilities with sector-specific knowledge of key areas such as energy, infrastructure, and public procurement. The team has broad coverage across the Belgian regions, and also represents public and private sector bodies in high-profile environmental litigation. Practice heads François Tulkens  and Dominique Devos are specialist environmental law advisers, both regularly handling complex permitting, pollution, and project development matters. Filip De Preter is of counsel and another key name for planning and permits work, while senior associate Bert Van Herreweghe has represented clients in permits and zoning disputes, alongside advising on brownfield development work.

With strong expertise across contentious and non-contentious matters, the ‘experienced, focused, and client-driven‘ team at Stibbe handles complex PPP and brownfield development projects, soil, air, and water pollution issues, and environmental issues relating to M&A transactions, alongside bespoke environmental law proceedings, including drafting legislation and representing clients in liability litigation. Clients include real estate developers and investors, corporate clients involved in real estate purchases, and a wide range of public authorities, both within Belgium and internationally. Jan Bouckaert leads the team, focusing on environmental law and urban planning issues, alongside real estate-related matters, while France Maussion remains active, a vastly experienced figure within real estate development projects. Counsel Olivier Di Giacomo advises on administrative law and public construction projects, while Bastiaan Schelstraete and Stefanie Francois were promoted to counsel in January 2022 in recognition of their work on environmental impact assessments and EU environmental regulations respectively.

DLA Piper has particular strength in the urban planning and environmental space, acting for a number of cities and municipalities in litigation and advising on licensing of major developments, particularly brownfield, zoning, environmental approvals, and waste management. The team regularly engages with domestic and European authorities, and has played a role in legislative consultations at national and regional level. Practice head Bob Martens takes the lead on major projects and public law issues, while counsel Alec Van Vaerenbergh regularly advises governments and private sector clients on environmental issues relating to developments, particularly renewable energy projects.

Eubelius works with public and private sector clients on urban and environmental development issues including permits, zoning, and project development, alongside a notable litigation capability in the telecoms sector, with standout cases including issues relating to Belgium’s national and regional 5G networks. The practice is led by Barteld Schutyser, an experienced public law practitioner with a strong focus on PPPs and public procurement, alongside Bart Martel, who focuses on urban planning and environmental litigation.

Lydian handles a wide range of environmental law issues, including permits, waste, contaminated properties, zoning, and development, and has a particularly strong record in regulatory enforcement and litigation. Counsel Kyoto Van Herreweghe is praised for her ‘fantastic theoretical expertise‘ in urban planning and environmental issues.  Clients include a wide range of domestic and international businesses, alongside other law firms, with the practice a popular choice for international referrals. Wouter Neven sadly passed away in June 2022.

NautaDutilh has a strong record in environmental permitting, particularly relating to construction projects, and is also active in enforcement proceedings, both in administrative and criminal contexts. Other areas of strength for the firm include PPP and public procurement, and energy transition, with clients including energy producers, developers, and transport companies. The team is led by Jens Mosselmans, who combines advisory and litigation work in a range of public and administrative law cases relating to environmental issues, while counsel Maxime Vanderstraeten joined the firm from Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick in early 2021 and has deepened the firm’s reach in French-speaking regions of Belgium. Counsel Stef Feyen is noted for his work on public procurement.

White & Case LLP works with multinational clients across the automotive, manufacturing, and financial services sectors, advising on high-level environmental regulatory issues, including climate reporting and ESG obligations, trade and international operations matters in the context of environmental regulation, and energy transition. The team is led by Jacquelyn MacLennan, a specialist in ESG and climate change issues who advises on Belgian, EU, and global environmental regulations, including competition law implications. Genevra Forwood has broad expertise across public procurement, public contracts, and consumer protection, advising clients on regulatory compliance.

Monard Law offers its clients significant public law and litigation expertise, regularly representing public sector bodies at Council of State level, alongside advising on environmental permits, waste management, soil pollution issues, and brownfield projects. The practice is led by Koen Geelen, who specialises in public sector work,  including representation in major environmental liability cases, alongside Wouter Moonen, who has a strong focus on public procurement.

PwC Legal advises domestic and foreign companies on strategic town planning, environmental permits, and procurement, also representing clients in associated litigation. Alongside its work for private sector clients, the firm also has an active public sector offering, advising municipalities, cities and public companies on the full range of environmental regulatory matters. The practice is led by Els Empereur, who has expertise in real estate, administrative, and public law, with a strong focus on environment and planning issues.

Seeds of Law offers expertise in environmental permitting and public real estate law across the three regions of Belgium, advising on urban planning, PPP, and hazardous materials permits, environmental due diligence for real estate transactions, and additionally representing clients in disputes before Belgian courts. Clients include developers and real estate portfolio holders. Koen De Puydt leads the team, specialising in public law and real estate issues.