Loyens & Loeff > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile

Loyens & Loeff > The Legal 500 Rankings

Belgium > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Loyens & Loeff‘s team leverages its close ties with the firm’s offices in Luxembourg, Switzerland and the Netherlands and  has a strong track record representing some of the world’s largest companies in business-critical mandates, including multi-jurisdictional class actions and international commercial arbitrations before CEPANI and the ICC. The practice is jointly headed up by two partners: Hakim Boularbah, whose capabilities span civil and commercial litigation and arbitration at national, European, and international levels, and Olivier van der Haegen, a is noted for his work as both counsel and arbitrator for clients in the insurance, aerospace, energy and infrastructure sectors. Maria-Clara Van den Bossche focuses chiefly on class actions, enforcement and public international law, working with leading tech and telecoms companies.

Belgium > Industry focus: Energy Tier 1

Loyens & Loeff‘s practice is widely regarded for its diverse capabilities in renewable energy matters, routinely advising on a host of projects and regulatory analyses, both domestically and internationally. Led by the ‘exceptional‘ Thomas Chellingsworth, the team handles a litany of new developments and legislative questions, advising various electricity generators and wind farm operators on the implications of the Transmission Grid Code, and representing public sector bodies in Constitutional Court challenges regarding the EU-wide roll-out of smart energy meters. Renewable energy sector M&A is also a key workflow. Christine Delagaye stands out for her deep knowledge of legislative frameworks and Bram Devlies‘ broad expertise includes capacity and subsidy mechanisms, corporate power purchase agreements and supply licences.

Belgium > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Loyens & Loeff combines transactional advice with a strong record in real estate developments, financing, REIT investments, and leasing, with integrated tax and regulatory expertise. The firm advises a combination of domestic and international portfolio holders and investors, regularly handling cross-border mandates of significant complexity. Practice head Christophe Laurent is active in major real estate transactions, handling many of the largest in the Belgian market, while Ariane Brohez advises on transactions and large-scale real estate projects. Senior associate Julien Lecler is regularly involved in complex redevelopments, while Lien Bellinck was promoted to counsel in January 2021, and specialises in property law issues.

Belgium > Tax Tier 1

Loyens & Loeff handles the gamut of tax work, advising clients on corporate and transactional taxation, indirect tax, transfer pricing, and estate planning, as well as representing major international clients before Belgian tax authorities. The group has strong cross-border capabilities, and works with clients across a broad range of industries, forming multi-disciplinary teams within the wider firm. The practice is led by transfer pricing specialist Natalie Reypens alongside Nicolas Bertrand, who takes the lead on advice to family-owned businesses and investment funds. Christian Chéruy is a vastly experienced specialist in tax controversy and litigation. Nicolas Lippens joined from Linklaters in May 2021, and is a trusted corporate and strategic tax adviser to a number of major companies. Saskia Lust advises high-net-worth individuals and family businesses on international wealth and inheritance planning, while senior associate Aldo Engels is noted for his cross-border transfer pricing expertise.

Belgium > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2

Loyens & Loeff handles a wide range of work, with a strong focus on asset-based lending, real estate and project financing, leveraged finance, and financial regulatory issues, with dedicated teams for each. Clients include major banks, financial institutions, and Belgian offshore wind developers, as part of the practice’s expertise in renewable energy project financing. The practice is led by Marc Vermylen, who specialises in asset-based financing and securitisation for major banking clients. Vanessa Marquette focuses on regulatory work for funds, financial institutions, and insurers, as well as sustainable finance matters, while Koen Panis takes the lead on project financing.

Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

Loyens & Loeff offers an integrated transactional practice with regulatory and tax capabilities, advising on domestic and cross-border transactions and financings, with areas of strength including real estate, private equity, and distressed M&A. Practice head Grégoire Jakhian handles cross-border M&A, leading the firm’s French desk, and also has notable expertise in the aviation space. Robrecht Coppens has a strong focus on private equity and the tech sector, as does Thomas Lenné, who arrived from Fieldfisher in early 2021 and also regularly works in the energy space. Wim Vande Velde has a strong record in real estate, advising companies and funds on buyouts and investments.

Belgium > Employment Tier 2

A litany of high-profile Belgian and international companies and multinational corporates turn to Loyens & Loeff for assistance with the full spectrum of employment issues, including large-scale restructurings, high-profile dismissals, cross-border TUPE transfers, and post-M&A matters. Alternative remuneration schemes and post-Covid working-from-home policies are further core competencies. The team is jointly led by Filip Saelens, an experienced cross-border adviser who focuses on reorganisations and executive compensation, and Kris De Schutter, who specialises in transformation planning, alternative remuneration and change management issues. Eline De Ryck spearheads the team’s pension offering.

Belgium > Industry focus: Food Tier 2

At Loyens & Loeff, employment expert Kris De Schutter is the name to note. The group offers a multidisciplinary service that includes corporate, tax and IP advice.

Belgium > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Fielding a cross-office Benelux group that works collaboratively on a litany of multi-jurisdictional mandates, the team at Loyens & Loeff is ideally positioned to assist an array of key life sciences companies with major transactions and disputes. The team is jointly led by IP and data protection expert Stéphanie De Smedt and public procurement specialist Valentijn De Boe, who works with various public hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and financial institutions on high-value developments. Wannes Buelens is noted for his broad knowledge of health law, encompassing medical devices, clinical trials and patient rights.

Belgium > Insolvency and restructuring Tier 2

Loyens & Loeff works with creditors, debtors, and shareholders of distressed companies in restructuring and insolvency proceedings in a variety of sectors, including retail, private equity, aviation, and financial services. The practice is active on Belgian aspects of cross-border restructurings, working in collaboration with its Benelux offices, and also offers integrated cross-practice expertise in disputes, financing, and employment issues. The practice is led by Vanessa Marquette, who focuses on distressed financing and pre-insolvency proceedings, while Marc Vermylen  advises on debt restructuring. Jens De Winne is a litigator with strong involvement in high-profile insolvency disputes.

Belgium > Not-for-profit Tier 2

Led by the ‘very dedicated’ Grégoire Jakhian, Loyens & Loeff‘s multidisciplinary not-for-profit practice handles a broad mix of legal and tax work for a diverse and multinational client base. The team frequently acts for major associations and foundations in contentious proceedings, including fraud cases and IP rights disputes. Issues regarding articles of association are a further core competency.  The dual-qualified (Brussels and New York) Jakhian is highly experienced in cross-border transactions and disputes, and regularly advises not-for-profit entities on the full scope of company law related matters. Mélanie Schollaert is noted for her far-reaching knowledge of non-profits and aviation law.

Belgium > Private equity Tier 2

Loyens & Loeff strengthened its private equity offering with the arrival of Thomas Lenné from Fieldfisher in early 2021, bringing with him a portfolio of major European private equity clients and a particular focus on the energy sector. Lenné jointly heads the team with Robrecht Coppens, who is active across the tech space, with a wide range of domestic and international private equity and venture capital clients. The firm advises on buyouts and exits, portfolio company deals, and early-stage investments, also working with portfolio companies.

Belgium > EU regulatory: Privacy and data protection Tier 3

Loyens & Loeff advises a wide range of corporate clients on privacy, data protection and cybersecurity issues, alongside handling privacy and data-related litigation, including major class action cases. The firm has a strong focus on employment-related data matters, including internal and external data transfers, data registration compliance, and data breach response. The team also works closely with its fintech and digital economy practices. Counsel Stéphanie De Smedt heads up the practice, specialising in e-commerce and IT sector work, and is an expert in privacy and data law.

Netherlands > Energy: transactional

The ‘knowledgeable, sharp, engaged and solution-focused’ Loyens & Loeff combines corporate, project finance and tax expertise in the Netherlands and Belgium to advise on high-profile transactions in the energy sector. The full-service practice acts for developers, banks, corporates, funds and utilities on financing, project development and regulatory matters. The team is co-led by Jan-Willem van Rooij, who handles M&A, Roland de Vlam  and the Brussels-based Koen Panis. Max van Oosterhuis stepped back from the partnership but has taken up an of counsel role.