PwC Legal > BRUSSELS, Belgium > Firm Profile
PwC Legal Offices
Woluwedal 18
1932 Sint-Stevens-Woluwe
BRUSSELS
Belgium
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PwC Legal > The Legal 500 Rankings
Belgium > Environment Tier 3
PwC Legal has extensive experience in real estate matters and consequently handles significant environmental work, with clients praising the group’s ‘high expertise and knowledge of market practice‘. New hire and practice co-head Tom Villé, previously of Eubelius, ‘knows his cases really well and looks for solutions‘. His broad real estate knowledge complements the administrative, public, and real estate law expertise of practice co-head Els Empereur. Olivier Drooghmans frequently handles zoning, due diligence, and energy-related matters.Practice head(s):
Els Empereur; Tom Villé
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Good and broad knowledge within the legal team linked with the international group of PwC in general. Although an international group, it is locally well-connected with the market.’
‘Tom Villé – Great availability and broad knowledge with the public and real estate market, knows his cases really well and looks for solutions to move a project forward.’
‘High expertise and knowledge of market practice.’
‘Client-focused – Thinking out of the box – Strategic.’
‘The PWC Legal team is very knowledgeable on any theme that is being thrown at them and hence there is no need to go elsewhere to find the right answer. It is a true one-stop-shop for legal advice!’
‘Els Empereur is leading the team and always finds the right answer we need!’
‘Good collaboration and team spirit.’
‘Tom Villé: proactive, pragmatic, very good knowledge, available, reflecting with the customer always searching for solutions.’
Key clients
Besix Red NV
ION BV
Roompot Belgie Exploitatie
De Werkvennootschap
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
Brimo NV
Fabricom NV
Weerts Group
Wooon Real Estate
De Molens NV
Remondis Belgien BV
Goodman Management Services NV
Flemish Region
Work highlights
- Assisted De Werkvennootscha with the realisation of the Public-Private Partnership infrastructure project Noord-Zuidverbinding Limburg, impacting Houthalen-Helchteren and the vicinity.
- Assisted 3D Real Estate with the development of a sustainable residential real estate project of 239 housing units, including a complementary park, in Ghent.
- Advised Goodman Management Services on a legal regulatory matrix and incentives matrix regarding ten sustainability topics linked to its business.
Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4
The ‘broad and experienced multidisciplinary team‘ at PwC Legal stands out for its ability to draw on the firm’s international network in advising both domestic and multinational corporate clients on M&A, corporate reorganisation projects, and digital transformations. The team’s strong regulatory capabilities enable it to provide due diligence advice in connection with cross-border corporate and private equity transactions, commercial agreements, and multijurisdictional corporate undertakings. Led by transactional and governance expert Karin Winters, the team also draws on the expertise of Pierre Queritet, who is very experienced with M&A, and ESG specialist Bart Vanstaen.Practice head(s):
Karin Winters
Other key lawyers:
Pierre Queritet; Bart Vanstaen; Ive Serneels; Stijn Vanbaelen; Sixtine Borres
Testimonials
‘ A broad and experienced multi-disciplinary team.’
‘Pierre Queriet is a seasoned and pragmatic professional.’
‘Bart Vanstaen is an excellent lawyer: quick, pragmatic and flexible. Good lawyer and team for corporate transactions.’
‘Professional team, willing to devote all its attention to the issue at stake when you need it most. Close collaboration and involvement of top people make the difference.’
‘Karin Winters has a truly professional and hands-on style.’
Key clients
GSS Group Star Services
KITRY
Remondis Belgien
Oleon
Shell
Barry Callebaut
Belorta
Work highlights
- Assisting BelOrta with a project to achieve the integration with another large fruit auction house (BFV).
- Assisted IDI with the sale of 100% of Flex Composite Group.
- Acted for and provided global worldwide corporate governance, compliance, and transactional assistance to all Belgian subsidiaries and branches of Shell.
Belgium > Employment Tier 4
The employment team at PwC Legal maintains a strong regulatory offering, frequently working with global clients to provide domestic compliance advice in connection with market entries and operation set-ups, and is additionally capable of advising its clients on major restructuring operations, social inspections and disputes with employees. TUPE and collective dismissal expert Pascale Moreau leads the team, which is further bolstered by the expertise of restructuring and pensions expert Sara Vanderstraeten.Practice head(s):
Pascale Moreau
Other key lawyers:
Sara Vanderstraeten; Olivier Chapelle; Jessica De Bels
Testimonials
‘The PwC legal team distinguishes itself through its highly pragmatic approach, displaying a deep understanding of operational and business challenges.’
‘Sara Vanderstraeten’s expertise is unparalleled, bringing a depth of knowledge that consistently surpasses expectations. Her exceptional communication skills ensure seamless collaboration, translating complex ideas with clarity.’
‘Very proactive team, benefiting from a great network of employment lawyers, able to leverage their employment law expertise across markets.’
‘Very accessible lawyers, applying employment law concepts in a practical way to business constraints. In particular, Pascale Moreau and Jessica De Bels provided structured legal advice on cross-border matters in a very comprehensive way, facilitating implementation internally.’
‘They are experts and they have a pragmatic vision of the business. They come with solutions and recommendations to make right decisions.’
‘They are close to the customers. They develop narrow links with us and are empathic.’
‘Great personal commitment from Sara Vanderstraeten on a file with potentially very high financial impact. She is a good and reliable sparring partner; she provides clarification on all unclear elements of the case and she helps us navigate between all possible pitfalls.’
‘International network, very specialised knowledge. Trustworthy in their advice.’
Key clients
Christian Mutuality
Greenyard
Intys
Brunswick
Umicore
Iscal Sugar
Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems
Gaming1
Work highlights
- Assisted a group active in the construction industry with a comprehensive employment law compliance check in two of its companies, which included extensive field work, all of which resulted in a detailed report with clear recommendations to improve the level of compliance going forward.
- Assisted a large organisation active in healthcare with a complex multi-year reorganisation project, including extensive post-merger integration work.
- Assisted a global food and beverages group with the reorganisation of its worldwide employment set-up, which included an analysis of local employment law in eight different countries.
Belgium > Real estate and construction Tier 4
PwC Legal has ‘a professional team with high knowledge of the real estate market‘. Led by François de Montpellier, who advises Belgian and foreign REITs on transactions and real estate financing, the practice handles project development, construction, investments and more. Senior associate Nicolas Chaval is a key adviser to investment companies, developers, institutional funds, public authorities and credit institutions.Practice head(s):
François de Montpellier
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘What for us truly distinghuishes PwC Legal, is their dedication to understanding and meeting the unique needs of the client. The team makes time to listen and comprehend the specifics of each case, tailoring their approach to ensure that we receive correct and effective legal support. ’
‘Professional team with high knowledge of the real estate market.’
‘Pleasant and accessible people.’
‘Diversity of the scope covered by PWC (real estate transaction, financing) is one of the key strengths of PWC Belgium.’
‘Exceptional avaialbility of the team, specifically François de Montpellier (Partner), Nicolas Chaval (senior associate).’
Key clients
3D Real estate
Besix Red
Cofinimmo SA
Baltisse SA
European Commission
Ville de Mons
Nextensa NV
Brimo NV
Greenyard
Weerts Group
Redevco
STIB / MIVB
Altrad
PROJECT²
UBP
Ghelamco
Kircherg Holding
Work highlights
- Assisting ING Kirchberg Holding – joint venture between Baltisse and Straco – in the framework of the acquisition of 100% of the shares of a Luxembourgish company owning an office building located 14, avenue Edward Steichen, L-2540 Luxembourg, with office spaces for a total surface area of approximately 5,000 sqm.
- Assisting Redevco – which entered into a partnership with Shell for the installation and operation of electric charging stations at all its retail sites located in Belgium – with the legal structuring of a charging stations project with Shell, including the drafting of the necessary agreements and the negotiations with Shell.
Belgium > Tax Tier 4
Tax controversy and litigation are the hallmarks of PwC Legal, covering both direct and indirect taxes, tax audit support, banking and financial services transactions and restructuring, as well as private wealth management. Practice head Véronique De Brabanter supports in procedural matters and administrative and court proceedings, while the addition of the PwC Belgium financial services team in July 2023 under Patrice Delacroix and Olivier Hermand expands the team’s regulatory and private wealth competencies.Practice head(s):
Véronique De Brabanter
Other key lawyers:
Patrice Delacroix; Olivier Hermand; Gauthier Vael
Testimonials
‘In-depth expertise, with a focus to obtain a practical solution.’
‘Veronique De Brabanter excels in assisting us from a practical perspective. She also highlights potential hurdles and provides practical solutions without creating an additional pile of paperwork and red tape. Always a pleasure to work with.’
‘Very knowledgeable team that used the right approach to make the case and win it.’
‘PwC Legal always showed me they understood the context of their answers/opinions within the realities of “my” business. I appreciate them being strategic in their thinking and options presented. I also appreciate the fact that they always find a way to communicate with me in a succinct and to-the-point manner and that they keep me informed, i.e. they do not let me be surprised.’
‘Gauthier Vael gives me practical advice tied to the realities of the telecom business. The team are advisers, not just lawyers. I value the fact that they value my input, that they are patient and answer my questions but that they do not talk down to me. I also value their honesty and truthfulness. If something “bad” occurs, I need to understand what happened, why it happened and what our plan is to fix it.’
‘Excellent mastery of the subject matter. Specific and appropriate responses. Excellent responsiveness. Prompt communication of important updates for the subjects analysed, such as new case law.’
Work highlights
- Represented a specialty chemicals company in a landmark litigation with regards to the interpretation of VAT permanent establishment for toll manufacturers.
- Represented a global transport and logistics company before the court in relation to a dispute that arose from a simultaneous tax audit carried out by 9 different participating EU countries with respect to a franchising agreement and successfully challenged the Belgian tax adjustment which was entirely annulled by the Court.
- Assisted an American global management consulting firm with the handling of a multilateral tax audit conducted by the tax authorities of Italy, Belgium, Denmark and Germany, with respect to the group’s new transfer pricing policy.
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mrs Véronique De Brabanter | Senior Counsel, PwC Legal BV/SRL | View Profile | |
Mr Olivier Drooghmans | Senior Managing Associate, PwC Legal BV/SRL | View Profile | |
Mrs Els Empereur | Advocaat Vennoot / Avocat Associé, PwC Legal BV/SRL | View Profile | |
Mrs Pascale Moreau | Partner, PwC Legal BV/SRL | View Profile | |
Mr Jean-François Mouchet | Counsel, PwC Legal BV/SRL | View Profile | |
Mr Pierre Queritet | Advocaat Vennoot / Avocat Associé, PwC Legal BV/SRL | View Profile | |
Mr Ive Serneels | Senior Managing Associate, PwC Legal BV/SRL | View Profile | |
Mr Gauthier Vael | Managing Associate, PwC Legal BV/SRL | View Profile | |
Mr Bart Vanstaen | Advocaat Vennoot / Avocat Associé, PwC Legal BV/SRL | View Profile | |
Ms Karin Winters | Partner, Head of Corporate & M&A practice | View Profile | |
Mr François de Montpellier | Partner, PwC Legal BV/SRL | View Profile |
Comparative Guides
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Poland: Litigation
Published: July 2023
Authors: Stanisław Żemojtel Artur GątowskiSebastian WieczorekMaria Strojna
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Litigation laws and regulations applicable in Poland.
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Poland: Alternative Investment Funds
Published: September 2023
Authors: Wojciech TrzcińskiFilip BrachŁukasz ŁyczkoKatarzyna Kaczmarzyk
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Alternative Investment Funds laws and regulations applicable in Poland.
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Greece: Private Client
Published: January 2024
Authors: Costas KalliderisMantha Stamatiou
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Private Client laws and regulations applicable in Greece.
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Greece: Securitisation
Published: March 2024
Authors: Kely PesketziPalmyra Chantzara Cleo Lagadianou
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Securitisation laws and regulations applicable in Greece.
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Belgium: Tax
Published: October 2023
Authors: Patrice Delacroix Véronique De Brabanter
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Tax laws and regulations applicable in Belgium.