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

Industry focus: energy Tier 1

The energy team at Loyens & Loeff is noted for its particular strength in renewable energy projects, and is regularly instructed on offshore wind farm developments. The group benefits from a multidisciplinary team, which handles transactional work, and also leverages the firm's wider regulatory, banking, administrative, competition and corporate experts; the group recently advised Northwester 2 on its offshore wind farm in the Belgian part of the North Sea.  In addition to assisting developers and financial institutions with energy sector construction projects, the team also handles regulatory matters and disputes. Practice head Thomas Chellingsworth and senior associate Christine Delagaye are key names to note and attract praise for being 'solution-driven lawyers'.

Practice head(s):

Thomas Chellingsworth

Testimonials

‘Thomas Chellingsworth and Christine Delagaye are solution-driven lawyers, which facilitates deal-making.‘

Key clients

Aspiravi NV

Belwind NV

Bionerga NV

Biostoom Beringen NV

Fluvius

Interconnector (UK) Limited

KBC Bank

Nobelwind NV

Norther NV

Northwester 2 NV

Northwind NV

Nuhma CVBA

Parkwind NV

Reed Smith LLP

Sunrock

Triodos NV

Veolia SA/NV

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP

Industry focus: Food Tier 1

The multidisciplinary food and beverages practice at Loyens & Loeff counts Ferrero Benelux, Mondelez and Dawn Foods among its clients. The group advises on a range of issues including regulatory, IP, corporate and real estate matters and is jointly led by Bert Gevers and Kris De Schutter in Brussels, who focus on tax and employment law respectively. The group also benefits from the ability to work closely with its offices across the Benelux region. Yves Van Couter retired from the practice, while Aude Mahy joined DALDEWOLF.

Practice head(s):

Bert Gevers; Kris de Schutter

Key clients

Ferrero Benelux

Vivaqua

Panzani

Cosucra

Choprabisco

Dawn Foods

Mondelez

Friesland & Campina

Metagenics

Krones AG

Kerry Ingredients

Cargill

Capespan Continent

Remy Cointreau Europe & MEA

Tax Tier 1

Loyens & Loeff's team provides standalone advice on the full range of domestic and international tax matters for clients in industries such as energy, real estate, retail, automotive and food and drink, among others. It also works closely with other departments, such as corporate, real estate, banking and finance, and employment. With this multidisciplinary approach the firm provides transactional support and also assists with state aid cases and corporate investigations. It also has a strong capability in the transfer pricing arena, where practice head Natalie Reypens leads a specialist group advising on transfer pricing policies, the set-up and conversion of business models, restructurings, profit allocation to permanent establishments and disputes. Xavier Clarebout is experienced in the tax aspects of corporate restructurings, M&A and structured finance transactions, among other areas. Saskia Lust and Nicolas Bertrand specialise in advising high-net-worth individuals and families on wealth optimisation techniques. Bertand was part of a cross-office team which assisted a client with the restructuring of its intragroup financing and treasury activities. Other key figures include Christian Chéruy, who leads the Belgian tax controversy and litigation group, Marc Dhaene, Bert Gevers and senior associate Aldo Engels.

Practice head(s):

Natalie Reypens

Other key lawyers:

Christian Chéruy; Xavier Clarebout; Saskia Lust; Nicolas Bertrand; Marc Dhaene; Bert Gevers; Aldo Engels

Key clients

BNP Paribas Fortis

Ferrero

Unitronics

Mc Cain

Bayer

Agilent Technologies

Carrefour

Edenred

Flir Systems Inc

Yara

Viacom Inc

Rio Tinto

STEF Logistics

IBM

Aurubis Belgium

Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2

Loyens & Loeff is a strong choice for cross-border financing transactions, with its Benelux presence and ability to provide related support on regulatory and tax issues enabling it to win high-end work. The Brussels team is led by Marc Vermylen, who has a wealth of experience of secured and asset-based lending, project finance, securitisations, derivatives and debt restructuring. Vermylen is also sought out for his knowledge of Euroclear-related matters and settlement work. He works alongside Koen Panis, who has extensive expertise in real estate finance and PPP transactions. The firm has particularly made a name for itself in the renewable energy sector; Vermylen has led the advice to clients on the financing aspects of all offshore wind parks (which have reached a financial close) in Belgium to date. Recent highlights included him and others acting for 17 lenders on the development, construction and financing of SeaMade’s two offshore wind farm projects in the Belgian North Sea. In addition, the team also assisted Northwester 2 with securing the €700m financing for a 218.5 MW offshore wind farm. Senior associates Eveline Hellebuyck, Jan Missoul and Sarah Libregts are also recommended. Vanessa Marquette joined from Simont Braun.

Practice head(s):

Marc Vermylen

Other key lawyers:

Koen Panis; Eveline Hellebuyck; Jan Missoul; Sarah Libregts

Testimonials

‘Marc Vermylen and Jan Missoul are excellent in getting things done and managing complex negotiations with numerous parties involved‘

Key clients

All Belgian offshore wind parks: Parkwind NV, Belwind NV, Northwind NV, Norther NV, Rentel NV, Nobelwind NV and Northwester 2

ING

JP Morgan

Goldman Sachs

KBC

Eurofactor

Deutsche Bank

Bank of New York Mellon

Rabobank

European Investment Bank

Standard Chartered Bank

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

The 'dedicated and efficient' corporate and M&A team at Loyens & Loeff has 'strong technical skills' and 'a high-level of expertise and broad experience in corporate matters, especially cross-border transactions'. Practice head Grégoire Jakhian attracts praise for being 'an outstanding lawyer' with particular expertise in the aviation and energy sectors, while Wim Vande Velde is frequently instructed in transactions in the real estate sector. Other names to note include Robrecht Coppens, who is particularly active in the start-up and venture capital space, and counsel Godfried Ampe, who specialises in cross-border corporate structuring issues, governance matters and transactions. The group benefits from the addition of Vanessa Marquette who joined from Simont Braun and has experience handling real estate, banking and insurance sector M&A.

Practice head(s):

Grégoire Jakhian

Testimonials

‘They articulate information in a very detailed way and fast way. They have prepared very nice documents for our inquiries. A very professional and prompt team.‘

‘They are even proactively guiding us on matters without us knowing about the legal changes in Belgium.‘

‘They have been one of the firms we use from time to time especially for M&A transactions in Europe. They have also provided general advice to our operations and helps us understand and fulfil the regulatory requirements.‘

‘Very good understanding of client’s needs. Available and reactive. Ability to comply with client’s deadlines. Very good knowledge of Belgium corporate law. Pragmatic.‘

‘Compared to other firms, L&L have a practical knowledge and approach that makes sense to business people, not just to lawyers.‘

‘Robrecht Coppens is extremely smart, very knowledgeable and he gave the right guidance to resolve an issue in between partners.‘

‘Nils Vermeulen is hardworking, very smart and result-oriented person.‘

‘Grégoire Jakhian has very broad experience, is a very good listener. His advices are very valuable.‘

‘Aubry Daerden is a promising lawyer. Efficient and responsive.‘

‘Robrecht Coppens is extremely intelligent, highly experienced and very responsive. Importantly for a U.S.-based client, his English is perfect, both in legal terms and in business terms.‘

Key clients

ABB NV

Agilent Technologies Inc.

AGP Glass

Altria Group Inc.

Antin Infrastructure Partners

Cappelle Holding NV

Cognizant

Equistone Partners

Ferrero International

H.I.G. Capital

Iconiq Capital

Intrexon Corporation

PAI Partners

RKW Hyplast NV

Sita

Thomas Cook Group

Dispute resolution Tier 2

Hakim Boularbah's group at Loyens & Loeff reports an uptick in instructions involving class actions, alongside handling high-profile arbitration matters. In the latter space, the team is acting for the National Bank of Kazakhstan in a challenge to a third party garnishment order; this forms part of an ongoing dispute with two Moldovan investors regarding an arbitral award. Yves Van Couter retired in July 2019. In January 2020 Olivier van der Haegen was promoted to partner.

Practice head(s):

Hakim Boularbah

Other key lawyers:

Olivier van der Haegen 

Key clients

Facebook

The National Bank of Kazakhstan

Proximus

Dargaud

Employment Tier 2

Filip Saelens heads Loyens & Loeff's employment team, which stands out for its 'pragmatic and fast advice'. Restructurings, employee benefits, transactional support matters and business migration issues have been prominent in the group's workload. Kris De Schutter is also noted.

Practice head(s):

Filip Saelens

Other key lawyers:

Kris De Schutter

Key clients

Greenyard

British Airways

Goodyear

Alcon

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Not-for-profit Tier 2

Fielding experts across all relevant areas of law, Loyens & Loeff has become a destination firm for many European institutions, and large associations and foundations across a multitude of industries. Corporate partner Grégoire Jakhian, and associates Mélanie Schollaert and Barbara Albrecht, assisted Paris-based Meridiam SAS with forming a public utility foundation known as Africa Infrastructure Fellowship Program (AIFP), which contributes to the improvement and promotion of infrastructure projects across Africa and supports the continent's economic growth. Jakhian, who heads up the not-for-profit practice, also leads the specialist aviation team. In addition, he has expertise in areas such as manufacturing and energy, among others. Jakhian, tax expert Nicolas Bertrand and others provide assistance on a wide range of matters, including GDPR, contract reviews and debt recovery.

Practice head(s):

Grégoire Jakhian

Other key lawyers:

Mélanie Schollaert; Barbara Albrecht; Nicolas Bertrand

Private equity Tier 2

The private equity team at Loyens & Loeff handles a range of M&A and corporate transactions, as well as fund formations and the regulatory aspects of deals. It is frequently instructed on cross-border matters and receives referrals from international law firms; in a recent transaction, led by practice head Grégoire Jakhian, the group acted for UK-based private equity company Equistone Partners Europe on its sale of France-based manufacturer Averys to Blackstone Group. Other names to note include Wim Vande Velde, who has particular experience in the real estate and private equity sectors, and newly promoted partner Robrecht Coppens, who leads the start-up and venture capital team.

Practice head(s):

Grégoire Jakhian

Key clients

Iconiq Capital

Marlin Equity Partners

Open Gate Capital

Anthemis Group

Antin Infrastructure Partners

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan

Koramic

IDI SCA

H.I.G. Capital Partners

AAC Capital

Sunrock Investments BV

Real estate and construction Tier 2

Loyens & Loeff is 'very knowledgeable in Belgian real estate'; high-value transactions and acquisitions are core strengths of the practice. The 'outstanding' Christophe Laurent leads the team, in which Ariane Brohez is a name to note.

Practice head(s):

Christophe Laurent

Other key lawyers:

Ariane Brohez

Key clients

L’Etoile Properties

AG Real Estate

Swiss Life

Korea Investment & Securities

Arax Properties

Cording Real Estate Group

EU regulatory: Privacy and data protection Tier 3

The team at Loyens & Loeff provides 'hands-on advice' to clients drawn from the technology, financial services, construction, healthcare and retail sectors on GDPR compliance matters, data transfers and data breaches. Filip Saelens, Rotterdam-based Kim Lucassen and senior associate Stéphanie De Smedt ('reliable and accurate') are the key names.

Practice head(s):

Filip Saelens; Kim Lucassen; Stéphanie De Smedt

Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3

The healthcare and life sciences group at Loyens & Loeff fields individuals from several practice groups and advises on employment, tax, regulatory, soft IP, public law and corporate matters. Employment and benefits specialist Filip Saelens heads up the team with senior associate Stéphanie De Smedt, who has particular expertise in privacy and data protection issues. Yves Van Couter retired.

Practice head(s):

Filip Saelens; Stéphanie De Smedt

Key clients

Allergan

International Team for Implantology

CordenPharma

Stop Darmkanker VZW

SERB

Cinven / Bain Capital

Arthrex

Bristol Myers Squibb Belgium

Teva

EU-IPFF

Insolvency and restructuring Tier 3

Loyens & Loeff's cross-departmental insolvency and restructuring team has experience acting on the full range of transactional work and litigation relating to companies in financial distress. The practice has particular expertise in financial restructurings and benefits from the group's experience in structured finance work, securitisations and regulated markets. Counsel Laurent Mertens leads the practice.

Practice head(s):

Laurent Mertens

Key clients

LRC Group

Credit Suisse AG, London branch

National Bank of Kazakhstan

Everyan Hospitality Properties NV

Fabory Centres Belgium NV

Renewi

Pioneer Europe

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 Kris De Schutter kris.de.schutter@loyensloeff.com ++32 2 700 10 13
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
Banking and Finance, Private International Law Vanessa Marquette vanessa.marquette@loyensloeff.com +32 2 773 23 25

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
Ms Vanessa Marquette photo Ms Vanessa Marquette 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 : 947
at this office : 109

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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