Firm Profile > Loyens & Loeff > Brussels , Belgium

Loyens & Loeff Offices

Loyens & Loeff
TERVURENLAAN 2
1040 BRUSSELS
Belgium
Visit website 32 2 743 43 43 32 2 743 43 10

Loyens & Loeff > The Legal 500 Rankings

EU regulatory: Food Tier 1

Loyens & Loeff’s team garners praise for its 'very thorough knowledge of food law’. Counsel Aude Mahy is 'a star; she has her finger on the pulse of the sector and is very responsive'. Bert Gevers and Yves Van Couter are also noted.

Industry focus: energy Tier 1

Loyens & Loeff's energy sector practice group is headed by Thomas Chellingsworth and handles a range of construction projects, corporate and M&A transactions, financing and disputes. The group also has a strong track record advising clients in the sector on state aid issues. Associate Christine Delagaye is a key name to note for renewable energy matters.

Industry focus: Food Tier 1

The 'very professional' food and beverage team at Loyens & Loeff attracts praise for its 'high knowledge in this branch of law'. Clients include Ferrero, Krones AG and Mondelēz International. Counsel Aude Mahy, who is 'a star' lawyer according to one client, jointly heads the Benelux practice alongside Bert Gevers.

Industry focus: Retail Tier 1

With experience in a range of tax, IP, real estate, finance and corporate transactions, Loyens & Loeff's well-rounded team is a popular choice for retail sector clients. The group includes Christophe Laurent, Yves Van Couter and Xavier Clarebout, who are recommended for real estate, disputes and tax-related matters respectively.

Not-for-profit Tier 1

Loyens & Loeff has a varied portfolio of work, owing to its extensive experience of advising non-profit organisations and trade associations on all aspects of their strategic operational issues, as well as litigation. Grégoire Jakhian, who founded the practice, has expertise in M&A transactions, real estate and dispute resolution, among other areas. Jakhian and others act for clients from various sectors, including food and beverage, sport, IT and charities.

Tax Tier 1

Loyens & Loeff's team, which delivers 'value for money', is praised by clients for being 'responsive, flexible and creative'. It forms part of a larger group that has a strong Benelux presence. In addition to having a first-rate reputation in corporate tax, the firm fields specialists in various other areas. Christian Chéruy, Marc Dhaene, Caroline Docclo and Bert Gevers are experienced in assisting clients with filing tax returns, the checking process by the Belgian Tax Administration, administrative appeals and criminal litigation. Practice head Natalie Reypens leads a team that advises clients on a wide range of transfer pricing issues. Saskia Lust and Nicolas Bertrand are particularly knowledgeable about issues specific to family businesses, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals. Gunther Valkenborg specialises in compensation and benefits issues. On the transactional side, Chéruy and senior associate Jérôme Wauthier advised CTH on the tax aspects of its $2.8bn acquisition of Nestlé's US confectionery business in 2017.

Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2

Loyens & Loeff's banking and finance team is praised by clients for its 'responsiveness and pragmatism'. It works collaboratively with other practices to cover the entire ambit of advice on transactional, general advisory and regulatory issues to corporates and financial institutions. One of the cornerstones of the practice is in the project finance arena, where the group's 'in-depth knowledge and experience' is particularly evident in sectors such as renewable energy and infrastructure. The firm has been involved in the financing and development of all offshore wind farms in Belgium to date. Team head Marc Vermylen, Thomas Chellingsworth and others are acting as borrower's counsel to Northwester II NV on financing the development of a 218.5MW offshore wind farm in the Belgian part of the North Sea. Vermylen also recently led a team, which included senior associate Jan Missoul, in the advice to KBC Bank on the development, construction and financing of a biomass plant near Unilin’s production site in Wielsbeke, Belgium. Elsewhere, Vermylen and Koen Panis are sought-after for their experience in asset-based lending and trade receivables programmes; clients in this area include Wells Fargo, HSBC and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. The group also handles various other transactions; a recent highlight involved Panis acting for Selecta Group on financing its acquisition of Pelican Rouge. It also has a notable real estate finance offering. In addition, the team also advises a wide variety of clients on the regulation of financial services and products, including investment funds, insurance companies and pension funds. In the debt capital markets arena, the group's work includes high-yield and convertible bond issues, among other matters.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

The 'business-minded' corporate and M&A practice group at Loyens & Loeff 'combines quality work' with 'a proactive and pragmatic' approach. In a transaction led by practice head Grégoire Jakhian, the team assisted Gener8 Maritime on its merger with Euronav. The department was also instructed by CTH on its acquisition of Ferrara Candy Company from L Catterton, including on the structure of the deal across Belgium, the US and Luxembourg. In another work highlight, a team including 'pragmatic' senior associate Robrecht Coppens, who attracts praise for his 'very solid technical background', advised General Electric Company on the Belgian aspects of the global restructuring of its oil and gas business. Peter Callens has considerable experience handling domestic and international transactions. The 'efficient, result-oriented' Wim Vande Velde and Godfried Ampe are also key names to note, particularly for real estate and energy sector matters respectively. Stefan Deckmyn left the firm for an in-house role.

Dispute resolution Tier 2

At Loyens & Loeff, the team is representing the National Bank of Kazakhstan in a challenge to a third party garnishment order, as part of an ongoing dispute with two Moldovan investors regarding an arbitral award. Yves Van Couter, who has established expertise in IP and IT litigation, is a key contact. Martine De Roeck was appointed to the judiciary at the Antwerp Commercial Court and senior associate Ahmed Tayane left to join the LRC Group as counsel. In January 2019, the practice was bolstered by the arrivals of the 'heavyweight fighter' Hakim Boularbah and counsel Olivier van der Haegen from Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick.

Employment Tier 2

'Proven specialist in the field' Filip Saelens heads Loyens & Loeff's 'proactive' employment team, which recently assisted BNP Paribas Fortis with implementing a flexible renumeration scheme for over 14,000 employees via a bitcoin system. The group also includes Kris De Schutter, who has 'excellent communication skills', and counsel Marga Caproni.

EU regulatory: information technology Tier 2

Yves Van Couter heads Loyens & Loeff's practice, which has been kept busy with instructions concerning electronic signatures, software development and e-commerce matters. Senior associate Stéphanie De Smedt is 'very knowledgeable and responsive'.

EU regulatory: Privacy and data protection Tier 2

Yves Van Couter leads the team at Loyens & Loeff, which has been advising clients from the retail, construction, technology, financial services and healthcare sectors on data breaches, compliance matters, cybersecurity and data transfers. Associate Stéphanie De Smedt is also noted.

Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

The healthcare and life sciences team at Loyens & Loeff regularly handles a range of contentious and non-contentious matters including regulatory, tax, corporate and administrative considerations. The group's client roster spans medical device manufacturers, biotech and pharmaceutical companies to healthcare entrepreneurs and organisations. A team led by Yves Van Couter is instructed by Arthrex to advise on commercial, regulatory and data protection issues pertaining to the launch of specialised medical software in Belgium and the Netherlands. Other clients include investment firms Cinven and Bain Capital and the academic organisation for dentists, the International Team for Implantology. Filip Saelens heads up the practice, which includes new hire Valentijn De Boe, who joined from Allen & Overy LLP. Evelina Roegiers is now with Crowell & Moring.

Private equity Tier 2

Loyens & Loeff has a well-established client base of private equity and venture capital firms, with clients including Marlin Equity Partners, Anthemis Group and AAC Capital. The group acted for New Mountain Capital on the Belgian aspects of its £820m sale of Alexander Mann Solutions to Omers Private Equity. In another highlight, the team assisted Iconiq Capital with its investment in Collibra. The department is headed by Grégoire Jakhian, Peter Callens and Wim Vande Velde, and includes senior associate Robrecht Coppens. Stefaan Deckmyn left the firm.

Real estate and construction Tier 2

Loyens & Loeff has been active handling high-value acquisitions and transactions in the real estate space. In one highlight, practice head Christophe Laurent led the advice to L’Etoile Properties (which was acting on behalf of Korea Investment & Securities) on the acquisition of a leasehold right worth €369m from Cofinimmo on the Egmont I and II office buildings in Brussels. Ariane Brohez is another key name.

Industry focus: IT and telecoms Tier 3

The IT and telecom sector-focused practice at Loyens & Loeff is frequently engaged to handle both contentious and non-contentious matters for its impressive client roster, which includes Orange and Cognizant. Practice head Yves Van Couter and senior associate Stéphanie De Smedt are representating Ik.be in a domain name dispute. The team also acted for EccoPrint in litigation relating to the termination of a custom software development agreement.

Insolvency and restructuring Tier 3

The team at Loyens & Loeff, led by counsel Laurent Mertens and senior associate Ahmed Tayane, leverages the firm's strength across the corporate, M&A, employment, tax, finance and contentious areas to provide a multidisciplinary approach. The group has particular experience assisting companies with restructuring and downsizing, it advised P&V on employment and redundancy matters and was instructed by De Lijn on its strategic restructuring as well as in relation to employee strikes. The practice also counts LRC Group and the National Bank of Kazakhstan among its clients. Stefaan Deckmyn left the firm and Martine De Roeck was appointed as  a judge.

Intellectual property Tier 3

Loyens & Loeff handles licensing matters, copyright issues, trade secrets, counterfeiting disputes and trade mark cases, among other areas, for its well established client base drawn from the telecoms, retail, automotive, food, and healthcare industries. Yves Van Couter leads the team; senior associate Stéphanie De Smedt is also recommended.

Loyens & Loeff > Firm Profile

The firm: As a leading firm, Loyens & Loeff is the logical choice for a legal and tax partner if you do business in, or from, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland, the firm’s home markets. You can count on personal advice from any of its advisers based in one of the firm’s offices in the Benelux and Switzerland or in key financial centres around the world. Thanks to its full-service practice, specific sector experience and thorough understanding of the market, its advisers comprehend exactly what you need.

Independent and international: as a fully independent law firm, Loyens & Loeff is excellently positioned to co-ordinate international tax and legal matters. The firm has a network of offices in major financial centres, staffed with specialists in Dutch, Belgian, Luxembourg and Swiss law. Through these offices, clients have access to Loyens & Loeff’s full-service legal expertise in their own time zone. The firm’s office network is complemented by its numerous country desks, all of which are experienced in structuring investments all over the world. It’s this winning combination that enables the firm to assist international clients in the most efficient of ways. Moreover, the firm is on excellent terms with other leading independent law firms and tax consultants. That way, Loyens & Loeff guarantees you top-level advice in every part of the world.

Innovative and pragmatic: each problem requires a customised solution. The firm’s pragmatic approach and drive to devise innovative solutions allow it to effectively address the demands of its clients’ domestic and international businesses. Thanks to the broad range of the firm’s legal experience, know-how and the size of its practices, the firm can offer you top-level advice, locally and internationally. The firm is committed to meeting your needs at the highest quality level in the most efficient way.

Focused and engaged: entrepreneurship, client focus, quality awareness and social engagement all characterise the firm’s culture. Loyens & Loeff offers a challenging work environment and equal opportunities for all its employees. The firm is mindful of the environment and helps charities with the support and knowledge of its employees.

Areas of practice: The firm offers expertise in the fields of tax, corporate law, financial law and capital markets, cross-border financing, private equity, real estate, VAT, EU, regulatory issues, employment law and taxes, commercial law, IP, IT, public and administrative law, energy law and litigation.

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Managing Partner, Banking and finance, Capital Markets, Corporate restructuring and insolvency, Regulatory. Marc Vermylen marc.vermylen@loyensloeff.com +32 2 743 43 15
Family-owned business and private wealth. Nicolas Bertrand nicolas.bertrand@loyensloeff.com +32 2 743 23 46
Litigation and risk management, Corporate Litigation, International Arbitration, Asset Recovery. Hakim Boularbah Hakim.Boularbah@loyensloeff.com +32 2 773 23 50
Real estate, Investment Management. Ariane Brohez ariane.brohez@loyensloeff.com +32 2 743 43 21
Corporate Law, National and International M&A transactions, post-transaction dispute resolution. Peter Callens peter.callens@loyensloeff.com +32 2 743 43 95
Competition, Energy. Thomas Chellingsworth thomas.chellingsworth@loyensloeff.com +32 2 743 43 43
International Tawe Services, Tax Controversy and Litigation. Christian Cheruy christian.cheruy@loyensloeff.com +32 2 743 43 03
Private equity. Robrecht Coppens robrecht.coppens@loyensloeff.com +32 2 700 10 12
Public and Administrative Law, Procurement. Valentijn De Boe Valentijn.De.Boe@loyensloeff.com +32 2 773 23 33
Employment, taxes and benefits, Alternative remuneration, Restructuring, Change Processes. Kris De Schutter kris.de.schutter@loyensloeff.com +32 2 700 10 13
Data protection and privacy, Intellectual property, Life Sciences. Stéphanie De Smedt Stephanie.De.Smedt@loyensloeff.com +32 2 773 23 77
Coporate Income Tax, Transaction Tax. Marc Dhaene marc.dhaene@loyensloeff.com +32 2 743 43 22
Indirect Tax, International Trade Bert Gevers bert.gevers@loyensloeff.com +32 2 743 43 18
Corporate Law, Cross-border M&A, Corporate Finance, Dispute Resolution, Aviation. Grégoire Jakhian gregoire.jakhian@loyensloeff.com +32 2 743 43 54
Investment Management, Real Estate. Christophe Laurent christophe.laurent@loyensloeff.com +32 2 743 43 05
Family-owned business and private wealth, International Asset Structuring. Saskia Lust saskia.lust@loyensloeff.com +32 2 700 10 27
Food Law. Aude Mahy aude.mahy@loyensloeff.com +3227434325
Banking & Finance, Energy, Real Estate. Koen Panis koen.panis@loyensloeff.com +32 2 773 23 90
International Tax Services, Transfer Pricing, Tax Compliance. Natalie Reypens natalie.reypens@loyensloeff.com +32 2 743 43 37
Employment and Benefits. Filip Saelens filip.saelens@loyensloeff.com +32 2 773 23 29
Corporate Law, National and International M&A, Corporate Restructuring. Wim Vande Velde wim.vande.velde@loyensloeff.com +32 2 743 43 96

Lawyer Profiles

Photo Name Position Profile
Mr Godfried Ampe photo Mr Godfried Ampe View Profile
Mr Nicolas Bertrand photo Mr Nicolas Bertrand View Profile
Mr Hakim Boularbah photo Mr Hakim Boularbah View Profile
Mrs Ariane Brohez photo Mrs Ariane Brohez View Profile
Mr Peter Callens photo Mr Peter Callens View Profile
Mr Christian Chéruy photo Mr Christian Chéruy View Profile
Mr Thomas Chellingsworth photo Mr Thomas Chellingsworth View Profile
Mr Xavier Clarebout photo Mr Xavier Clarebout View Profile
Mr Robrecht Coppens photo Mr Robrecht Coppens View Profile
Mr Valentijn De Boe photo Mr Valentijn De Boe View Profile
Mr Kris De Schutter photo Mr Kris De Schutter View Profile
Mrs Stéphanie De Smedt photo Mrs Stéphanie De Smedt View Profile
Miss Christine Delagaye photo Miss Christine Delagaye View Profile
Mr Marc Dhaene photo Mr Marc Dhaene View Profile
Mr Mathias Diricx photo Mr Mathias Diricx View Profile
Mrs Caroline Docclo photo Mrs Caroline Docclo View Profile
Mr Bert Gevers photo Mr Bert Gevers View Profile
Mr Grégoire Jakhian photo Mr Grégoire Jakhian View Profile
Mr Christophe Laurent photo Mr Christophe Laurent View Profile
Mr Julien Lecler photo Mr Julien Lecler View Profile
Miss Sarah Libregts photo Miss Sarah Libregts View Profile
Mrs Saskia Lust photo Mrs Saskia Lust View Profile
Mr Laurent Mertens photo Mr Laurent Mertens View Profile
Mr Jan Missoul photo Mr Jan Missoul View Profile
Mr Koen Panis photo Mr Koen Panis View Profile
Mrs Natalie Reypens photo Mrs Natalie Reypens View Profile
Mr Filip Saelens photo Mr Filip Saelens View Profile
Mr Dirk Slagmolen photo Mr Dirk Slagmolen View Profile
Mr Gunther Valkenborg photo Mr Gunther Valkenborg View Profile
Mr Wim Vande Velde photo Mr Wim Vande Velde View Profile
Mr Marc Vermylen photo Mr Marc Vermylen View Profile
Mr Olivier van der Haegen photo Mr Olivier van der Haegen View Profile

Staff Figures

Number of lawyers : 984
at this office : 118

Languages

French
Dutch
English
German

Memberships

IBA Internacional Bar Association
IFA (International Fiscal Association)
American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM)
Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (Cepani)
Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP)
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
AIJA - International Association of Young Lawyers
International Project Finance Association (IPFA)
- APEBI Moroccan Federation of Information Technology, Telecom and Offshoring (member of the board)
International Arbitration Institute
IBA (International Bar Association)
EELA (European Employment Lawyer Association)
ABA (American Bar Association)
Brussels Bar
LES (Licensing Executives Society)
IAPP
American Employment Law Council

Other

Contact : Managing partner: Marc Vermylen
Other offices : Amsterdam
Other offices : Hong Kong
Other offices : London
Other offices : Luxembourg
Other offices : New York
Other offices : Paris
Other offices : Rotterdam
Other offices : Singapore
Other offices : Tokyo
Other offices : Zurich

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