Laurius > Antwerp, Belgium > Firm Profile
Laurius Offices

OUDELEEUWENRUI 19
2000 ANTWERP
Belgium
Laurius > The Legal 500 Rankings
Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4
Laurius has expanded its share of private equity, M&A, and corporate financing work, with notable focuses on real estate, manufacturing, and professional services sector advice. Acting primarily in the mid-market, the firm regularly handles cross-border transactions for domestic and international businesses as well as investment funds, and also offers support on commercial and fundraising matters. Key names in the team include Christina Trappeniers and Caroline Wildemeersch, who have notable expertise in the elderly care sector and distressed transactions respectively, alongside David Ryckaert, an experienced transactional adviser with a focus on advice to management teams, and private equity-focused managing partner Dirk Wellens.Practice head(s):
Dirk Wellens; David Ryckaert; Christina Trappeniers; Caroline Wildemeersch
Other key lawyers:
Bert Luyten
Testimonials
‘Laurius is a well established law firm. Laurius is a firm that is very responsive and swift to act for their clients, the Senior Partners are also very approachable.’
‘Dirk Wellens is a great leader for Laurius, he and Bert Luyten understand each other seamlessly which makes Laurius a very dynamic and efficient firm.
‘Dirk Wellens is very involved in his cases and has a great eye for detail. He knows better than anyone what his clients’ needs are and knows perfectly how to bring a deal to a successful end.’
‘David Ryckaert really stands out when advising management in a PE-deal. Very pragmatic, and on the ball. He knows the ins and outs very well, providing a deal-driven solution.’
‘Persistent, knowledgeable, transparent and tough but courteous and polite negotiation style. Enjoyed working with them.’
‘When receiving first drafts of documentation they are (almost) always at a very high quality level illustrating good understanding of the transaction and the context. Furthermore, what really differentiates the Laurius team, is their deal MAKING capacities. They understand sensitivities and always keep the eye on the ball and try to facilitate a transaction rather than stubbornly sitting on a point of view.’
‘Dirk Wellens as managing partner most of the time is involved in our deals and seems to have an unlimited capability for absorbing deal knowledge.’
Key clients
Belga Films
Buysse & Partners Private Equity
Buysse & Partners Smart Assets
Circet Benelux
Copus Group
DEME Group
Fluitec NV
Gaming 1 shareholders & management
Inflexion Private Equity
KeBeK Private Equity
Le Pain Quotidien
Lunch Garden
M80 Capital (private equity)
Mainetti
My-Assist
NAES Corporation
Orelia
Polypreen management team
PPL Capital
Road Runner Concert Services
Vooruitzicht
Work highlights
- Advised the reinvesting families and managers of Gaming 1 on their reinvestment alongside CVC in the LBO of Gaming 1.
- Advised KeBeK Private Equity with the acquisition of an interest in Schelstraete Delacourt Associates, a leading organisation in executive search.
- Advised Copus Group on the acquisition of Bennet Engineering.
Belgium > Dispute resolution Tier 4
Laurius‘ ‘skilful and dedicated‘ disputes practice is a key port of call for a host of domestic and international clients from the worlds of financial services, private equity, transport, real estate, agriculture, and telecoms. Practice co-chair Bert Luyten is praised for his ‘impressive cross-border disputes practice‘ – notably in transatlantic matters – while fellow co-chair Karen Vermaere‘s ‘sharp-minded’ approach sees her handling a range of litigations and mediations, including a number of public procurement proceedings. Associate Zeno Vanregemorter is recommended for his experience in company law disputes. All named lawyers are based in Antwerp.Practice head(s):
Bert Luyten; Karen Vermaere
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The lawyers we’ve worked with at Laurius are client-focused and collaborative. I admire their practical and commercial approach. We have worked with them repeatedly over the years, and I would not hesitate to call on them for any disputes involving Belgium.’
‘Bert Luyten has an impressive cross-border disputes practice, including substantial experience with US disputes.’
‘Zeno Vanregemorter is a very capable younger member of the team who handled many of the day-to-day aspects of the matter.’
‘Strong, skilled people who think two steps ahead.’
‘I have known the team now for over five years, referring various cases to them with great satisfaction for the clients. Their feedback is always positive. Laurius and in particular their DR practice for me therefore stands out for the total comfort you have in referring a case to them. They are knowledgeable, have the resources and have the profile in the market to handle similar complex cases as we handle ourselves in the Netherlands. They also know the Belgian market really well.’
‘Bert Luyten is experienced, with a very sharp sense for strategy.’
‘Karen Vermaere is sharp-minded and great with clients.’
‘Karen Vermaere stands out for her involvement and dedication.’
Belgium > Real estate and construction Tier 4
Institutional investors seek out the real estate team at Laurius for assistance on major transactions. Michael Bollen heads the team with Christina Trappeniers, who has significant experience in the healthcare sector, where she advises clients on the development of care and assisted living homes.Practice head(s):
Michael Bollen; Christina Trappeniers
Testimonials
‘The team works together well, enabling a variety of questions from various fields to be answered quickly and efficiently.’
‘Good legal knowledge of the sector, very responsive and available.’
‘Professional approach, ready to tackle challenges together with the client.’
‘Dedicated hands-on support.’
‘Michael Bollen has very good legal and practical knowledge of the sector. Fast and responsive. Reasonable fees. Calm and friendly person.’
‘Christina Trappeniers has the rare gift of being able to explain legally complex files to opposing parties in clear, plain language, which always enables difficult negotiations to be brought to a successful conclusion.’
‘Michael Bollen is a perfect sounding board and legal support on all of our real estate transactions.’
Key clients
Quares Student Housing
Buysse & Partners
Buysse & Partners Smart Assets
My-Assist BV
QJD Developments SRL
Quares Residential Investment
Whitewood Capital
Tristan Capital Partners
B&R NV
Bruvaco
AGP Glass
XYZ Invest NV
Vooruitzicht
Orelia
Dockx
Atalian
Work highlights
- Co-advised Quares Student Housing in the context of the successful public bid by Euronext-listed REIT Xior Student Housing of €156m for the entirety of the shares of Quares Student Housing.
- Advised Tristan Capital Partners and Whitewood Capital on the acquisition of a logistics complex in Genk from Immo Genk-Zuid, managed by KBC Bank, for €32m, and on re-financing the acquisition through a KBC credit facility.
Belgium > Employment
Laurius > Firm Profile
The firm: Laurius is a premier business law firm with offices in Antwerp and Brussels, assisting both domestic and international clients across a variety of industry sectors.
The team is best known for its proactive and creative approach and shows high personal commitment, knowhow and client service.
Corporate, M&A & Private Equity: Laurius assists domestic and international clients, offering local expertise on all aspects of public and private corporate transactions.
The corporate lawyers have acted in a wide range of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buy-outs, private equity, venture capital transactions, corporate restructuring, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic alliances.
Management Counselling: Laurius has market-leading experience and has developed specific know-how on the negotiation and implementation of management incentive schemes in prominent LBO transactions.
Litigation, Arbitration, Dispute Resolution: Laurius handles business to business litigation for both domestic and international clients across a variety of industry sectors, including IT, precious metals, healthcare, dredging and marine engineering, chemicals, manufacturing and food and beverage, energy, as well as work for individuals. The firm has specific and extensive expertise in shareholders’ disputes, post-acquisition disputes, asset recovery, banking and financial law disputes, commercial disputes related to agency, distribution, supply, logistics and IT agreements and complex litigation in general.
Real Estate: Laurius has comprehensive experience, expertise and market knowledge in transactions involving retail property, warehouses and industrial real estate, student accommodation, senior care real estate, offices, hotels, car parks and residential properties.
Laurius assists clients in negotiating and drafting agreements for the transfer of real estate and of real estate companies and also ensures real estate due diligence. Laurius takes care of the redaction of lease contracts and provides advice with respect to real estate structuring and property rights, regarding joint ventures and real estate financing and represents client’s interests in real estate litigation.
Employment: Laurius helps with all aspects of employment (including dismissals and redundancies, welfare policy, restructuring, transfers of undertakings, new start-ups, management companies, etc…)
Commercial: Laurius has market-leading experience in drafting commercial and partnership agreements including sales, agency, distribution, licensing, IT, logistics and construction agreements. Laurius’ services include regulatory and compliance advice.
Estate Planning: Laurius advises on the structuring, management and transfer of family assets and assists in the context of inheritance planning and succession disputes.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Corporate and M&A, Private Equity, Management Counselling, Estate Planning | Dirk Wellens | dirk.wellens@laurius.be | +32 3 260 88 00 |
Litigation, Arbitration, Dispute Resolution | Bert Luyten | bert.luyten@laurius.be | +32 3 260 88 00 |
Corporate and M&A, Private Equity, Management Counselling, Venture Capital | David Ryckaert | david.ryckaert@laurius.be | +32 2 313 87 87 |
Real Estate | Michael Bollen | michael.bollen@laurius.be | +32 2 313 87 87 |
Litigation, Arbitration, Dispute Resolution, Commercial | Karen Vermaere | karen.vermaere@laurius.be | +32 3 260 88 00 |
Employment | Damien Stas de Richelle | damien.stasderichelle@laurius.be | +32 2 313 87 87 |
Corporate and M&A, Private Equity, Management Counselling, Real Estate | Christina Trappeniers | christina.trappeniers@laurius.be | +32 2 313 87 87 |
Corporate and M&A, Private Equity, Management Counselling | Caroline Wildemeersch | caroline.wildemeersch@laurius.be | +32 2 313 87 87 |
Meet The Team(s)
others
others
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Mr Gerrit Hendrikx | Gerrit Hendrikx, master in law and sociology, started his career as a… | View Profile |
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Mr Quinten Hermans | Quinten Hermans has been a permanent member of Laurius’ commercial and litigation… | View Profile |
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Mrs Stephanie Joris | As a senior associate at Laurius, she puts her shoulders to the… | View Profile |
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Mr Philippe Loix | Philippe Loix focuses on cases in corporate law, real estate law and… | View Profile |
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Mr Bert Luyten | Bert Luyten is co-founder of Laurius. With more than 25 years’ experience,… | View Profile |
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Ms Ayse Özkan | Ayse Özkan has been reinforcing the ranks of the Laurius corporate department… | View Profile |
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Mr Bob Roels | Bob Roels knows the transaction practice through and through. As a Laurius… | View Profile |
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Mr Sam Spranghers | That corporate law is a branch of law that suits Sam Spranghers… | View Profile |
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Mrs Christina Trappeniers | With a passion for corporate and real estate law, senior partner Christina… | View Profile |
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Mr Lucas Van Geel | Since 2020, Lucas Van Geel has strengthened the Laurius law firm. He… | View Profile |
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Mr Rainier Van Ghyseghem | Rainier Van Ghyseghem has a highly qualitative knowledge of company law, private… | View Profile |
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Mr Zeno Vanregemorter | Zeno Vanregemorter has outstanding experience in corporate litigation, both in financial and… | View Profile |
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Mrs Eline Verelst | Eline Verelst has been an established member of the dispute resolution team… | View Profile |
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Mrs Karen Vermaere | Karen Vermaere is a senior partner and has been a lawyer at… | View Profile |
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Mr Matthias Verschaffel | Matthias Verschaffel obtained a master’s degree in law and corporate law and… | View Profile |
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Mr Dirk Wellens | Dirk Wellens is managing partner and founder of Laurius. With more than… | View Profile |
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Mrs Caroline Wildemeersch | Caroline Wildemeersch is a senior partner at Laurius and specialises in the… | View Profile |