PwC Legal > BRUSSELS, Belgium > Firm Profile

PwC Legal Offices

PwC Legal
Woluwedal 18
1932 Sint-Stevens-Woluwe
BRUSSELS
Belgium
Visit website +32 02 710 4211

PwC Legal > The Legal 500 Rankings

Belgium > Environment Tier 3

With notable experience of advising on projects and procurement, PwC Legal‘s environmental law practice is sought out by clients including developers and public authorities. Els Empereur heads the team, bringing expertise across administrative, public, and real estate law to the table, while senior managing associate Olivier Drooghmans is noted for his work in zoning, due diligence, and energy contracts and regulation.

Practice head(s):

Els Empereur

Other key lawyers:

Olivier Drooghmans

Key clients

BESIX RED NV

ION BV

ROOMPOT RECREATIE BEHEER BV

DE WERKVENNOOTSCHAP

BALTISSE NV

INCLUSIO NV

3D REAL ESTATE NV

LEASINVEST COMM VA

MATEXI NV

SLIGRO-ISPC BELGIUM NV

MITISKA REIM NV

NEXTENSA NV

KANAALKOM DEVELOPMENT NV

CHATEAUX REAL ESTATE NV

STAY-ICI

BRIMO NV

FABRICOM NV

WEERTS GROUP

GREENYARD

DE MOLENS NV

Work highlights

  • Assisting De Werkvennootschap in the realisation of the complex public-private partnership infrastructure project Noord-Zuidverbinding Limburg (NZL), impacting Houthalen-Helchteren and the vicinity.
  • Assisting 3D Real Estate regarding the development of a highly sustainable residential project of 239 housing units, including a complementary park.
  • Assisting De Molens NV, a joint venture between 3D Real Estate and Atenor, with the development of a mixed-use project in Deinze, along the Leie, on the site of the former Dossche Mills.

Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4

PwC Legal advises a broad range of corporate clients, both domestic and international, on the full range of commercial and corporate law issues, encompassing commercial contracts and projects, most notably digital transformation, corporate governance issues, and M&A. The firm is particularly noted for its integrated tax and regulatory capabilities, working in concert with the wider network, as well as a growing focus on ESG issues, including reporting obligations and broader corporate social responsibility issues, a particular specialism of Bart Vanstaen. The practice is headed up by Karin Winters, whose expertise includes cross-border business restructurings and M&A.

Practice head(s):

Karin Winters

Other key lawyers:

Pierre Queritet; Bart Vanstaen; Ive Serneels; Stijn Vanbaelen

Testimonials

‘The team thinks beyond the legal aspects to consider on a deal and can offer immediate accessibility to tax, accounting or other non-legal expertise, delivering integrated advice. The PwC Legal network is also much wider in geographic range than other law firms and works effectively.’

‘Substance trumps form, but the manner/form in which PwC Legal provides their advice is worth mentioning. It is always to-the-point, in an easily readable and welcoming format (no long emails or long notes), and clearly defining possible solutions rather than only identifying the issues.’

‘Karin Winters and Bart Vanstaen stand out, both in top-notch technical expertise (going beyond legal) and solution-oriented delivery. They also build sound relations of trust with their clients.’

‘Sixtine Borres is also a rising talent.’

‘Diverse team which leverages the strengths available. Different team members specialise in other fields, makes a very strong blend.’

‘Top-notch practical advice, which is specific for our case. Also a very practical approach to discuss procedural aspects, next steps to be taken and what may we expect in terms of outcome.

‘Pierre and his team apply solid legal technical skills combined with no-nonsense negotiations.’

Key clients

Oleon Group

Remondis

Shopopop

Gss Group Star Services

Kitry

Work highlights

  • Assisted Groupe Star Service SAS on its acquisition of the VPD-ARID Group.
  • Assisted the founders of Kitry SA in its sale to Vortex Equity Partners.
  • Assisted a real estate investment company in the framework of a highly complex and strategic joint venture transaction with a well known large infrastructure player consisting of a share deal and various asset deals.

Belgium > Real estate and construction Tier 4

The real estate team at PwC Legal is led by François de Montpellier, and has a particularly strong reputation for transactional work, advising domestic and international clients on acquisitions and developments. Managing associate Katrien Antonis is also noted, with experience in due diligence.

Practice head(s):

François de Montpellier

Other key lawyers:

Els Empereur; Katrien Antonis

Testimonials

‘Good legal team with broad experience in real estate matters in Belgium.’

‘François de Montpellier is our reference within PwC Legal.’

Key clients

3d real estate

Quadoro Investment GmbH

BESIX RED

Cofinimmo SA

Baltisse SA

European Commission

Ville de Mons

Nextensa NV

Brimo NV

Greenyard

Weerts Group

Redevco

Hoome

ALTRAD

PROJECT²

SOCOTEC

Ghelamco

Work highlights

  • Assisting Baltisse SA with the acquisition of Souverain 100, a 15,000 sq m multi-tenant office building located on Boulevard du Souverain in Brussels.
  • Assisting Redevco NV with the legal structuring of a project with Shell for the installation and operation of electric charging stations at all the client’s retail sites in Belgium.
  • Assisting 3D Real Estate in a dispute with one of its contractors regarding the development of a residential housing project in Ghent.

Belgium > Tax Tier 4

The tax dispute resolution team at PwC Legal handles a range of tax controversies for domestic and international clients, including audits and transfer pricing disputes. Practice head Véronique De Brabanter is well regarded in administrative and court proceedings, and was promoted to partner in April 2022.

Practice head(s):

Véronique De Brabanter

Other key lawyers:

Bart Vanstaen; Gauthier Vael

Testimonials

‘Very skilled and professional team, with practical and top-notch legal assistance.’

‘Diverse team which leverages each other’s strengths to create an even stronger deliverable.’

‘The tax team is multidisciplinary and can provide extensive assistance in all fields of tax law, which is very much appreciated.’

‘Gauthier Vael does an excellent job. He follows up on our cases very quickly and is very reactive.’

‘Gauthier Vael is very technical and provides tailored advice combined with excellent skills and knowledge of the tax procedure.’

Work highlights

  • Acting for two Belgian entities of a group in two proceedings regarding the fixed establishment issue, including a case currently pending before the CJEU.
  • Advising a Portuguese insurance company and several other clients with respect to tax audits focusing on financial transactions.
  • Assisting a multinational logistics company in the transport and distribution sector with an audit in which the tax authorities of multiple member states are simultaneously challenging the applied transfer pricing policy.

Belgium > Employment

PwC Legal is sought out by domestic and international clients for advice and support on the full range of employment issues, with practice head Pascale Moreau particularly strong in restructuring.

Lawyer Profiles

Photo Name Position Profile
Véronique De Brabanter photo Mrs Véronique De Brabanter Senior Counsel, PwC Legal BV/SRL View Profile
Olivier Drooghmans photo Mr Olivier Drooghmans Senior Managing Associate, PwC Legal BV/SRL View Profile
Els Empereur photo Mrs Els Empereur Advocaat Vennoot / Avocat Associé, PwC Legal BV/SRL View Profile
Pascale Moreau photo Mrs Pascale Moreau Partner, PwC Legal BV/SRL View Profile
Jean-François Mouchet photo Mr Jean-François Mouchet Counsel, PwC Legal BV/SRL View Profile
Pierre Queritet photo Mr Pierre Queritet Advocaat Vennoot / Avocat Associé, PwC Legal BV/SRL View Profile
Ive Serneels photo Mr Ive Serneels Senior Managing Associate, PwC Legal BV/SRL View Profile
Gauthier Vael photo Mr Gauthier Vael Managing Associate, PwC Legal BV/SRL View Profile
Bart Vanstaen photo Mr Bart Vanstaen Advocaat Vennoot / Avocat Associé, PwC Legal BV/SRL View Profile
Karin Winters photo Ms Karin Winters Partner, Head of Corporate & M&A practice View Profile
François de Montpellier photo Mr François de Montpellier Partner, PwC Legal BV/SRL View Profile

Press Releases

A new management team to deploy the “PwC Legal 2025” strategy: Catherine Baflast becomes managing partner as of October 1, 2021

23rd September 2021 At the end of her mandate at the head of PwC Legal, the time has come for Cindy Arces to hand over the reins to Catherine Baflast, who will become managing partner as of October 1, 2021. This succession and change in governance has been prepared for several months.