AKD > Luxembourg, Luxembourg > Firm Profile

AKD
42, Avenue Monterey
L-2163 LUXEMBOURG
Luxembourg

Luxembourg > Private equity Tier 2

The 'highly competent and responsive team' at AKD continues to gain traction in the market and is appreciated by financial sponsors throughout the value chain as a result of its 'pragmatic, hands on and solutions-oriented service'. Appreciated for his 'profound legal knowledge paired with friendliness and a great sense of humour', Cedric Bless is popular among clients, including Bridgepoint, which he regularly advises on the Luxembourg law aspects of its sales and acquisitions. The 'very responsive and client-oriented' Nicolas Marchand co-heads the team alongside Bless.

Practice head(s):

Cédric Bless; Nicolas Marchand

Other key lawyers:

Imède El Moudden; Benoît Charpentier

Testimonials

‘The team makes you (the client) feel perfectly accompanied during the day to day of your business, with the peace of mind that comes from being surrounded by a team of great professionals.’

‘It is a highly competent and responsive team.’

They display a very pragmatic, hands-on and solutions-oriented approach.’

‘They take the time to understand what you are trying to accomplish and offer solutions to meet those objectives instead of just stating what the law is.’

‘Cedric Bless has impressive legal knowledge and also the capacity to understand a complex business such as ours.’

‘Cedric Bless is an exceptional colleague a joy to work with. He has an extraordinary degree of professionalism and profound legal knowledge paired with friendliness and a great sense of humour.’

‘Nicolas Marchand is very responsive and client oriented, always looking to offer the best value for money services.’

Key clients

Pictet Alternative Advisors (Europe)

Gates

Atilus

MNK Partners

Apax

Eni

London Metric Property Plc

ICAMAP

Oxenwood

Peakside

Ridgemont Equity Partners

Xerys

Roark Capital

Bridgepoint

Aimco

Colony

ARB

Work highlights

    Luxembourg > Tax Tier 3

    Luxembourg > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 5

    AKD‘s team provides ‘valuable and goal-oriented support’ to a good mix of borrowers and lenders (as well as frequently receiving referrals from international law firms) across an eclectic mix of transactions, including structured finance and funds finance. The team also has ‘good knowledge of the aviation industry’, an area where practice head Yann Hilpert is particularly accomplished and provides ‘reliable and clear advice’. Since publication, Basile Fémelat left the firm.

    Practice head(s):

    Yann Hilpert

    Other key lawyers:

    Jasper Verhoog; Arnaud Barchman Wuytiers van Vliet; Delphine Gomes

    Testimonials

    The team provides valuable and goal-oriented support.’

    ‘The firm has good knowledge of the aviation industry.’

    ‘The accessibility of all members of the AKD team assigned to us is untouchably terrific. EVERY request was answered promptly and with maximum competence – often also thinking outside the box.’

    ‘Jasper Verhoog stands out for his strong empathy, client focus and extensive knowledge of the client-related market, the regulatory environment and depth of legal experience.’

    Yann Hilpert provides very reliable and clear advice.’

    Key clients

    KKR

    Morgan Stanley

    AIMCo

    Oxenwood

    International Finance Corporation

    KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH

    Vivion

    DRC Capital

    Pictet Group

    WindShareFund

    Emera

    Bridgepoint

    REA ASSET MANAGEMENT S.G.I.I.C. S.A.

    Reference Financial Services S.A

    Work highlights

      Luxembourg > Investment funds Tier 5

      Benelux firm AKD‘s Luxembourg office has developed ‘strong expertise in fund formation’ since its establishment in 2016, picking up a raft of significant mandates for asset managers engaged in alternative fund strategies, as well as for German-speaking institutional investors on the LP side. Virginie Leroy and Jevgeniy Nesch  co-head the team.

      Practice head(s):

      Virginie Leroy; Jevgeniy Nesch

      Other key lawyers:

      Astrid Vaillant

      Testimonials

      ‘The firm has strong expertise in fund formation and assistance with closings.’

      ‘We work closely with Jevgeniy Nesch and his associate (Astrid Vaillant). They are always there when we have questions and provide us with simple solutions which we and our clients understand. Out-of-the-box thinking is definitely something we appreciate a lot.’

      Key clients

      Alberta Investment Management Corp.

      Nordic ESG Impact

      Interritus

      Oxenwood

      Azzurra Capital Management FZE

      Pictet Alternative Advisors (Europe) S.A.

      ARB Investment Partners SCSp

      Inmocin

      AURA

      Green Capital Invest

      Bluefield

      Mussara

      Work highlights

      • Advised Azzurra Capital Management FZE on the establishment of an umbrella fund structure investing primarily in high quality private equity.
      • Advised Aura Domus Aurea International on the establishment of a real estate investment structure.
      • Advised Pictet Alternative Advisors (Europe) on a multitude of investments in alternative strategies with the top tier investment managers.

      Netherlands > Banking and finance: lender or arranger side

      AKD represents a broad range of lender clients operating through the Benelux region, with a proven track record in handling the Dutch law aspects of real estate finance, acquisition finance and structured finance transactions. Practice head Vincent Bettonville, whose additional expertise covers corporate lending and restructurings, works alongside financial supervision head Jasper Verhoog. Another name to note is Niels Hagelstein.

      Practice head(s):

      Vincent Bettonville

      Other key lawyers:

      Jasper Verhoog; Niels Hagelstein; Nadine Platenburg; Remco Bosveld

      Testimonials

      ‘A responsive and diligent team.’

      ‘Vincent Bettonville and Remco Bosveld are highly recommended.’

      ‘Responsive, informed and efficient work on secured, multi-jurisdiction financings.’

      Key clients

      Pine Bridge Benson Elliot

      Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank

      JPMorgan

      Seaway Heavy Lifting

      Sumitomo Corporation

      Ralph Lauren

      Exide Technologies

      Deutsche Private Equity

      Braskem

      Boskalis

      Iron Mountain

      Hessing Supervers

      Panattoni

      Morgan Stanley

      Natixis

      CSU

      Customer satisfaction is at the heart of our Luxembourg office’s philosophy and of our firm in general, with all clients being given the same high level of dedication. From mid-size businesses to large private equity firms, all are given the same undivided attention from the team. Clients value the Luxembourg team’s responsiveness, in-depth knowledge of the financial markets and constant dedication to achieving their commercial objectives.

      Luxembourg has for long been at the forefront of the trends and evolutions relating to the financial markets and structured finance environment. It grew to become a well-established financial centre in Europe with worldwide recognition, known as one of the world’s safest and business friendly environment.

      Our Luxembourg office consists of a highly experienced team of lawyers and tax specialists, top-level service, and its strong emphasis on customer care.

      In Luxembourg, we cooperate with many US and UK international firms who do not have a footprint in Luxembourg. Luxembourg’s famously diverse population is reflected in AKD’s multilingual and multinational staff.

      DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
      Banking & Finance Yann Hilpertyhilpert@akd.eu+352 26 75 82 301
      Banking & Finance Jasper Verhoogjverhoog@akd.eu+31 6 55 39 58 04
      Corporate/M&A Cédric Blesscbless@akd.eu+352 6 91 55 88 56
      Corporate/M&A Nicolas Marchandnmarchand@akd.eu+352 6 91 55 88 13
      Investment management Jevgeniy Neschjnesch@akd.eu+352 6 91 55 80 72
      Investment management Virginie Leroyvleroy@akd.eu+352 6 91 55 88 98
      Tax Ayzo van Eysingaavaneysinga@akd.eu+352 6 91 55 88 33
      Tax Rutger Zaalrzaal@akd.eu+352 6 91 55 88 38
      Tax Stéphanie Viotsviot@akd.eu+352 26 75 82 334
      Number of lawyers : 270
      Other offices : Amsterdam
      Other offices : Breda
      Other offices : Brussels
      Other offices : Eindhoven
      Other offices : Rotterdam

      AKD welcomes five new partners

      AKD has announced the appointment of five new partners in its Dutch and Luxembourg offices. Managing partner Erwin Rademakers: "We are immensely proud to have witnessed the strong growth of these new partners over the past few years.

      AKD expands Belgian Banking & Finance capabilities with lateral partner Antoine De Raeve

      AKD announces that Antoine De Raeve has joined the firm’s Belgian Banking & Finance team on 1 May 2023.

      AKD further strengthens its Corporate & M&A practice with the hire of Wouter Kros as a partner

      Leading law firm AKD Benelux Lawyers welcomes Wouter Kros as partner into its Corporate / M&A practice as of 1 June 2022. Wouter joins AKD from Loyens & Loeff, where he worked for 14 years covering M&A work for public and private companies. He has a strong track record of domestic and cross-border transactions where he has acted for clients including financial sponsors and corporates.

      Ludo Luijks joins AKD’s M&A Tax team

      AKD Benelux Lawyers has announced the appointment of Ludo Luijks as a partner in its growing international M&A Tax team. Ludo will join the team on 1 November.

      Benelux firm AKD appoints partners: Passing the baton to the next generation

      AKD Benelux lawyers has appointed five new partners, four of them "home-grown”, managing partner Erwin Rademakers clarifies. “It gives immense pleasure to see colleagues developing and, as next-generation partners, contributing to building the future of our firm.” 

      AKD continues to expand in Brussels: Julien Hick appointed employment law partner

      AKD Benelux lawyers is delighted to announce the appointment of Julien Hick as partner in Brussels.

      Yann Hilpert appointed partner at AKD in Luxembourg

      AKD Benelux lawyers is delighted to announce the appointment of Yann Hilpert as partner in Luxembourg.

      Conny Staudt takes on partnership at AKD Benelux lawyers, “back to her roots”

      Pieter Huys, who leads the team, comments: “We are thrilled to welcome Conny at AKD. Coming at a time where flexible employment has become a hot topic, her expertise in this field neatly complements our own expertise. Earlier this year, the Balanced Labour Market Act (Wet Arbeidsmarkt in Balans) came into force, the purpose of which Act is to make flexible employment less flexible and steady employment less steady. We find that this new legislation has given rise to many questions from our clients, duly aggravated by the uncertainties thrown up by the Covid-19 crisis. Conny's expertise and experience add real value to our team”.

      AKD adds six new partners to Benelux footprint

      AKD has appointed six new partners in Belgium and the Netherlands. Following the appointment of three new partners in Luxembourg earlier this year, AKD thus further increases its Benelux footprint.


      Benelux law firm AKD expands with McGuireWoods’ Brussels team

      Benelux law firm AKD expands its Brussels office by adding McGuireWoods’ Brussels team, following AKD’s strategy to be the first choice full-service legal and tax services provider in the Benelux. The incoming team consists of partners Hubert André-Dumont, Paul van den Bulck, Timothy Speelman, Steven Ongena, counsel Pol Cools, and four associates.