The Legal 500 > Simont Braun > Brussels, BELGIUM > Lawyer profiles

Simont Braun

AVENUE LOUISE 149, PO BOX 20, 1050 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

Tel:: Work +32 2 543 70 80
Fax:: Fax +32 2 543 70 90
DX:: 64 BAB

Email:

Web:: www.simontbraun.eu

Paul Alain Foriers

Tel:: Work +32 2 533 17 62
Email:

Profile
Lawyer Rankings

Work Department

Litigation; Corporate Law; Financial Law.

Position

Lawyer at the Supreme Court and professor at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), where he teaches interalia contracts and torts and company law, amongst other subjects. Paul Alain Foriers divides his time between litigation and advisory work.

He acts in complex litigation in civil, commercial, company and financial law, before all jurisdictions and arbitration venues. He also acts as an arbitrator.

In addition, he assists listed and unlisted companies and family groups in relation to corporate reorganisations, public offerings and takeoverbids, financial regulations and the organization of shareholder relations. He also provides advice on complex questions on civil and commercial matters and on inheritance issues.

Paul Alain Foriers was chosen by the Minister of Justice to be part of the group of experts appointed to modernise the Belgian Companies' Code.

Career

Partner of the law firm SIMONT GUTT & SIMONT (renamed SIMONT & SIMONT) from 1980 to 1991; Partner of the law firm STIBBE, SIMONT, MONAHAN DUHOT (renamed STIBBE) from 1991 to 2003; Partner of the law firm SIMONT BRAUN since 2003. Dean of the School of Law of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (2004-2005).

Languages

French and English.

Member

He is the author of a thesis (« La caducité des obligations contractuelles par disparition d'un élément essentiel à leur formation », Bruylant, 1998) and of numerous publications in the areas of contract law, company law and financial law (public offerings, insider trading, market abuse, shareholding transparency, …).

Paul Alain Foriers is a member of the editorial committee of the “Revue Critique de Jurisprudence Belge” and of the “Répertoire Pratique de Droit Belge”. He is frequently invited to speak at leading seminars in the areas of contract law, company law and financial law.

He was Dean of the Law Faculty of the ULB from 2004 to 2005.

Education

Université Libre de Bruxelles (Law, 1974; Economic Law 1975; Doctor of Law, 1996).

Belgium

Commercial, corporate and M&A

Within: Commercial, corporate and M&A

The 'professional and dedicated' corporate and M&A practice at Simont Braun attracts praise for its 'industry expertise and for building long-term relationships with its clients'. It was recently instructed by the Urban Development Corporate of the Brussels-Capital Region (Société d'Aménagement Urbain) on the creation and implementation of the Contemporary and Modern Art Museum and Architecture Museum in Brussels, including advising on corporate aspects and negotiations relating to partnerships with Centre Pompidou in Paris. In another work highlight, a team led by Vanessa Marquette is assisting Vivaqua and Hydrobru with the proposed merger of the two main operators in the water sector, including successfully representing the companies in a judicial proceeding opposing the transaction. Sandrine Hirsch heads up the team, which also includes the well-regarded Paul Alain Foriers.

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Dispute resolution

Within: Dispute resolution

Simont Braun's team provides 'strong practical advice' to clients from a broad spectrum of industries, and reports a significant uptick in IP litigation, with a key focus on trade mark disputes. The key contacts are Paul Alain Foriers, who is highly regarded for his expertise in handling disputes before the Supreme Court, and Rafaël Jafferali.