ALTIUS > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile
ALTIUS Offices
HAVENLAAN, 86C B414
AVENUE DU PORT
1000 BRUSSELS
Belgium
ALTIUS > The Legal 500 Rankings
Belgium > Industry focus: Media and entertainment Tier 1
A domestically and internationally renowned practice in the area of sports law, the department at ALTIUS routinely appears before sports tribunals and arbitration panels, most frequently the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The team possesses significant knowledge of national and international sport governing bodies’ regulations, advising a range of clients that includes athletes, clubs and intermediaries. The department is jointly chaired by Sven Demeulemeester and Grégory Ernes, the latter of whom is noted for his EU law acumen. Olivier Vrins is experienced in a host of IP matters, including image rights.Practice head(s):
Sven Demeulemeester; Grégory Ernes; Olivier Vrins
Key clients
Racing Genk
Club Brugge
RSC Anderlecht
KV Kortrijk
Royal Antwerp Football Club
Volley Belgium
Trek Factory Cycling
Sven Nys Cycling
Standard de Liège
KV Mechelen
Estac Troyes
City Football Group
Cardiff City
OH Leuven
Belgian Tennis Federation
Belgian Karate Federation
Belgian Judo Federation
TP Mazembe
Deinze Football Club
Red Star Belgrade
Thomas Meunier
Kevin De Bruyne
Chancel Mbemba
SEG
Wasserman
Lommel Football Club
Top Hockey League
Beerschot AC
Common Group
Work highlights
- Advised Club Brugge (“FC Bruges”) on the record-breaking transfer of Belgian national team player Charles De Ketelaere from FC Bruges to AC Milan.
- Advised the Belgian Volley Federation in a dispute against Belgian top club Knack Roeselare regarding the ad hoc registration of a new player during the competition.
- Represented the Top Hockey League in corporate housekeeping and the negotiation and drafting of a range sponsorship, service and broadcasting agreements, as well as in the negotiation and drafting of a global Collaboration Agreement with the Royal Belgian Hockey Federation.
Belgium > Industry focus: Retail Tier 1
ALTIUS’ multidisciplinary retail team is a go-to for various manufacturers and retailers, who turn to the team for its expertise in the apparel and luxury goods sectors. The group is well-versed in the full array of industry-specific legal questions, including contract law, commercial agreements, labour/employment and IP protection. Carmen Verdonck advises both Belgian and international clients on the establishment and restructuring of distribution networks, and is particularly knowledgeable regarding franchising. Entrusted by both retail tenants and landlords, Lieven Peeters is reputed for his real estate and construction expertise, while Alexander Hansebout, who often appears before the national courts and the Court of Justice of the European Union on litigation matters, is also noted for his distribution work.Practice head(s):
Carmen Verdonck; Lieven Peeters
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Corinthia Hotels
Foot Locker
ING
KFC
Zalando
Royal Canin
Maxeda DIY Group
Limehome GmbH
Cloudkitchens
Farm Frites
ProWinko
Beidersdorf
PMI
C&A
CBREIM
Mars
G-Star
Bolton
FHP Vileda
CRISP
Ireleo SpA
Gilmar SpA
Veuve Clicquot
Work highlights
- Assisted Maxeda DIY Group with the real estate related work of its store portfolio, the review and update of its franchise agreements, and various other commercial law issues.
- Assisted Beiersdorf on all commercial, competition, IP and data protection matters related to the sale of the Beiersdorf products on the Belgian market through retail chains and pharmacies.
- Assisted Indufin Capital Partners with the acquisition and merger control clearance of a controlling shareholding in the VARO Group of companies.
Belgium > Intellectual property Tier 1
The sizeable IP practice at ALTIUS acts for clients including high-profile national and multinational companies and sovereign governments, and team members have appeared before courts up to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and in international arbitrations. The practice is led by life sciences key contact Christophe Ronse, plant variety and food specialist Philippe de Jong, and Olivier Vrins, who is described as ‘one of the leading experts in geographical indications‘. Notable associates include trade mark and patent litigator Sophie Lens and pharmaceuticals specialist Kirian Claeyé.Practice head(s):
Christophe Ronse; Olivier Vrins; Philippe de Jong
Other key lawyers:
Sophie Lens; Kirian Claeyé; Bregt Raus
Testimonials
‘This is a stellar team, recommended for any must-win case. Highly responsive, thorough, and above all nice people.’
‘Excellent. Clear communication and extensive knowledge of the subject matter.’
‘The team at ALTIUS consists of dedicated professionals who strive to advise clients in a practical and understandable manner based upon their in-depth legal knowledge and experience.’
‘Olivier Vrins is among the best in the field of IP practitioners. He is a master of the legal field and is able to explain very complex matters in an easy way.’
‘Extreme level of expertise in the field of geographical indications.’
‘Olivier Vrins is a good listener and an extremely effective lawyer. He knows everything there is to know – he is amazing! The go-to-lawyer for many international clients. Very honest too about the chances of an action.’
‘Excellent advice and horticulture-specific industry knowledge.’
‘Olivier Vrins is one of the leading experts in geographical indications law.’
Key clients
The Government and Attorney General of Pakistan
Ireleo SpA
Gilmar SpA
CIVC (Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne)
Top Hockey League
Novartis
Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD)
Bayer
Tata Steel
Organon
Amgen
Work highlights
- Advising the Top Hockey League, an association of hockey clubs in the Belgian Honour Division, on corporate housekeeping and the negotiation and drafting of a range of sponsorship, broadcasting and service agreements, and a global collaboration agreement with the Royal Belgian Hockey Association.
- Representing champagne maker Veuve Clicquot, the owner of the well-known orange colour mark, in several trade mark invalidity proceedings against the Lidl group.
- Representing the Republic of Pakistan before the European Commission in opposition proceedings against an application by India for the registration of ‘Basmati’ as a protected geographical indication in the EU.
Belgium > Employment Tier 2
Led by ‘marvellous lawyer‘ Philippe De Wulf, the ALTIUS employment team handles the full spectrum of work for clients in a wide range of sectors. Workforce restructuring, cross-border mergers, and collective bargaining are among the firm’s key competencies, and the practice benefits from a close alliance with prominent tax firm Tiberghien, with Sven Demeulemeester a core supporting strut of the relationship. Demeulemeester also has particular expertise in the sports sector, alongside Grégory Ernes. Promoted to counsel in September 2022, Emma Van Caenegem is well regarded in domestic and international individual employment matters.Practice head(s):
Philippe De Wulf
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The Altius employment team is knowlegeable, extremely hands-on, and available when needed. Altius always handles requests with speed and assesses how the client would be aided as much as possible. True value for money.’
‘Altius is a very strong team. They always offer an in-depth legal analysis.’
‘Altius are great to work with. Very responsive and practical. Advice is always very clear.’
‘Philippe De Wulf is a marvellous lawyer, with a great and total view of the legal problem, and always provides practical advice.’
‘Emma Van Caenegem is very easy to work with, understands the client’s business, and feels like an extension of the client’s team.’
‘Philippe De Wulf is excellent and a pleasure to work with.’
‘Sven Demeulemeester has remarkable knowledge and expertise in sports and employment-related matters. He is always available and his work is always very detailed and complete.’
Key clients
Mars
C&A
Oracle
McCain Foods
Vanguard Logistics
RSC Anderlecht
ABE Clearing
Biogen
StepStone
Marriott
Alight (NorthGateArinso)
Miles Mobility
Club Brugge
Racing Genk
Royal Antwerp Football Club
KV Mechelen
Saturn Media Markt
Korian
Dell
Canon
Siemens
Work highlights
- Assisted SILHOUETTE with putting in place a matrix organisation and restructuring its Belgian operations.
- Assisted one of the leading football clubs on the African continent, TP MAZEMBE, with several proceedings, both before the FIFA Football Tribunal and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, against former players.
- Advised on the Belgian employment aspects of the conversion of the French nursing homes company KORIAN, which had numerous Belgian business units, into a European company, including the specific information and consultation procedure with the Belgian works councils and with the employees of Belgian entities not covered by a works council.
Belgium > Industry focus: Food Tier 2
Leveraging the firm’s IP, competition, regulatory, and corporate capabilities, the cross-disciplinary agri-food practice at ALTIUS is a strong choice for a number of restaurant chains, producers, industry organisations, and public bodies. Steered by Phillippe De Jong, a specialist in patents and parallel import, and Olivier Vrins, who is highly experienced in geographical indication matters, the team’s workload includes trademark opposition proceedings, registration issues, and regulatory analyses. Names to note at associate level include IP and regulatory lawyer Bregt Raus.Practice head(s):
Philippe De Jong; Olivier Vrins
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
The Government and Attorney General of Pakistan
CIVC (Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne)
GEEFA
Work highlights
- Assisting a pig breeding company and the European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders (EFFAB) in the context of objections proceedings under the EU Regulation on Protected Designations of Origin against a request filed by the Italian Consorzio del Prosciutto San Daniele.
- Representing Pakistan before the European Commission in opposition proceedings against an application by India for registration of ‘Basmati’ as a protected geographical indication in the EU.
- Representing the authority in charge of the protection of the protected designation of origin ‘Prosecco’ before the European Commission in opposition proceedings against an application by an EU country for the registration of a traditional term for wine in the EU.
Belgium > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2
ALTIUS‘ life sciences and healthcare team has a strong multidisciplinary offering, acting for a diverse portfolio of clients from the public and private sectors. Clients include global pharmaceutical, agriscience, and biotech companies as well as governmental entities. Led by expert patent law litigator Christophe Ronse and agri-food and regulatory specialist Philippe de Jong, the firm is known for its deep expertise across a broad range of industry sectors. IP litigation is a focus area for the firm and ‘outstanding litigator‘ Kirian Claeyé is also active in this space. Bregt Raus is another key individual.Practice head(s):
Christophe Ronse; Philippe de Jong
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Go-to firm for life sciences. With its strong focus on life sciences, the different specialists (such as public procurement, IP, and compliance) will always provide advice tailored to the sector. Kirian Claeyé has thorough knowledge and provides very clear and useful advice, also on uncharted topics.’
‘The firm combines legal sharpness with deep industry sector awareness. They provide clear and pragmatic advice. Philippe de Jong is responsive, has deep sector knowledge, and is quick to pick things up.’
‘The adjectives that – I believe – best describe the law firm are reliability, efficiency, high level expertise, professionalism, and dedication.’
‘I had the chance to cooperate closely with Mr. Philippe De Jong and Mr. Bregt Raus and the qualities I value the most in them are the ability to provide advice on different subjects, maintaining the same high standard and their dedication to attention to detail. Although I am a meticulous person, I completely trust their feedback on a particular issue and I feel that I can entirely rely on it.’
‘The advice you get is timely, complete and easy to understand. They give practical examples to make sure the advice is clear. Their knowledge is high, but they have the skill to explain it clearly.’
‘A team with a wide range of knowledge and a wide network both nationally and internationally.’
‘Collaborated with both Philippe de Jong and Bregt Raus, two individuals that have deep and up-to-date knowledge about the subject of European DOP rules and legislation and very quickly understood the potential impact on our business based on our products and industry processes. Furthermore, they’re very communicative, and keep the agreed timelines and budgets.’
‘Altius is excellent in patent litigation, especially with regards to pharma cases; very responsive and on the point. Kirian Claeye is an outstanding litigator.’
Key clients
Flemish Government
Organon Pharma
Mitsui Agriscience International
Applied Medical
Novartis Pharma
ImmunoPrecise Antibodies (IPA)
Bayer Healthcare
Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD)
Hipra Benelux
Work highlights
- Advising global health care company Organon Pharma on various regulatory issues relating to its medicinal products for human use in Belgium, including parallel import, new legislation regarding continuous supply of medicinal products, data privacy, sponsorship agreements, corporate affairs, etc.
- Advising Applied Medical, a US based global leader and manufacturer of enteral feeding devices and surgical products, on the legal requirements and restrictions for medical devices for human use when used for veterinary purposes.
- Representing Novartis in its ongoing fight to prevent the untimely market access of generic versions of its medicament Gilenya® for the treatment of MS.
Belgium > Industry focus: IT and telecoms Tier 2
ALTIUS routinely assists social media platforms, software companies and app developers, who turn to the team for its strength in litigation and other disputes relating to data protection. The practice, which frequently appears before the highest administrative court, is co-chaired by Gerrit Vandendriessche, who offers his insight on electronic communications, e-commerce and cloud computing. Fellow co-chair Jérôme Vermeylen is particularly focused on the IT sector, while other notable team members include Jan Clinck and Mathieu Maniet who shore up the practice’s expertise in data protection litigation. Mathieu, in particular, is well-versed in telecom regulatory laws – including lawful interception.Practice head(s):
Gerrit Vandendriessche; Jérôme Vermeylen
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘ The team is driven by an attention to detail that idelivers pragmatic advice.’
‘Gerrit Vandendriessche truly understands clients.’
‘Considering the areas of practice they have, it is really useful to work with them for business in the Benelux sector.’
‘They understand our guidelines and our culture, and respect such issues when they lead and take care of our businesses.’
‘They are really aligned with the in-house lawyers and collaborate closely with our business teams.’
Key clients
Citymesh (part of Cegeka)
Coatue
Elisa Corporation
Vertica Capital Partners
AT&T
Niko
Puratos
Mediahuis
Youtube (Google)
Work highlights
- Assisted Citymesh in setting up a joint venture with DIGI, who will act as the 4th mobile operator in Belgium, and also assisted the JV in preparing and participating to the recent 5G mobile spectrum auction in Belgium.
- Assisted a new fiber telecoms operator in relation to regulatory, commercial and administrative law issues.
- Assisted a large IT hardware manufacturer in relation to a contractual dispute.
Belgium > Insurance Tier 2
Drawing on support from specialists in dispute resolution, regulatory issues, and transactions, the insurance team at ALTIUS is highly regarded by its client base of insurers, reinsurers, and intermediaries. Corporate and transactional partner Jérôme Vermeylen leads the team with Alexander Hansebout, who is particularly recommended for his ‘total mastery of conflict situations‘, encompassing mediation and arbitration as well as in-court litigation. Stijn Van Schel, who was promoted to the partnership in September 2022, is also noted for his ‘extensive knowledge of insurance matters‘, with expertise in complex liability and coverage disputes.Practice head(s):
Alexander Hansebout; Jérôme Vermeylen
Other key lawyers:
Stijn Van Schel; Audrey Zegers
Testimonials
‘The team are adept at managing the handling of large, complex and challenging cases with an international element. They are distinguished by a very high level of expertise, as well as a good understanding of their client’s interests. Above all, however, they are simply competent and friendly people who are a pleasure to work with!’
‘Alexander Hansebout has a high level of technical knowledge, good client focus, and a total mastery of conflict situations.’
‘Multiple skills, good communication within the team, and good back up.’
‘Alexander Hansebout is distinguished by his remarkable experience and knowledge of insurance issues. He is a very easy person to work with and this makes the case go smoothly. Stijn Van Schel is an outstanding expert in civil procedure, with equally extensive knowledge of insurance matters.’
Key clients
Aetna Insurance
AG Insurance
AIG
Amlin
Fortegra Europe Insurance Company
Leo Raes BV – Raes-Vermeiren
Mapfre
SFS SAS – Siemens
The Fry Group
Work highlights
- Assisted Fortegra Europe Insurance Ltd with its entry into the Belgian market, providing advice on the application of Belgian general good provisions regarding insurance distribution, the compliance of its insurance policies with Belgian insurance, and consumer law and the redrafting of its client documentation.
- Advised SFS SAS and Siemens NV on several regulatory aspects of their financial and operational leasing activities in Belgium, including advising on the contractual set-up of the insurance of the equipment leased, and the application of Belgian insurance and insurance distribution legislation and licensing requirements.
- Advised The Fry Group in relation to the divesture of its Belgian insurance activities and portfolio.
Belgium > Not-for-profit Tier 2
Working with both NFPs and corporate members of NFPs, ALTIUS is regularly engaged by a number of industry associations and sporting bodies for its capabilities in the full gamut of contentious and non-contentious work – from governance reviews to proceedings before the Court of Arbitration. Practice head Jérôme Vermeylen is a key figure for clients seeking assistance with strategically significant matters, including new incorporations and articles of association. The multilingual (English, Dutch, French, Spanish, Italian, and German) Carmen Verdonck is noted for her competition expertise, and Olivier Vrins specialises in trademarks, anti-counterfeiting and geographical indication issues.Practice head(s):
Jérôme Vermeylen; Carmen Verdonck; Olivier Vrins
Testimonials
‘Responsive team with sound advice for non-profits.’
‘Very approachable people, friendly in communication, really partner with our organisation.’
‘It’s a great team. They have competence in a diversity of fields. Let it be sales agreements, sales conditions, intellectual property, or statutes, you’ll always get a sound answer quickly.’
‘They kept remarkably close contact, communicated timely and were very efficient. All of this at an acceptable fee. Outstanding!’
Key clients
Association of European Airlines
Association of European Coeliac Societies (AOECS)
Belgian Electrotechnical Committee (BEC)
Belgian Taekwondo Federation (BTF)
Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC)
CIVC (Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne)
CropLife (formerly ECPA)
Eumicon
Euroseeds
Eurosmart
Fédération Belge de Karate ASBL (FBK)
Fédération Francophone Belge de Kin-Ball (FFBKB)
Fédération Française de Roller et Skateboard (FFRS)
Fost Plus
Government and Attorney General of Pakistan
International Wushu Federation (IWUF)
K. Racing Club Genk VZW
PET Europe
Polish Electricity Association (PKEE)
Special Olympics
The Nickel Institute
University of Kent
Volley Belgium VZW
Yakult Research Centre for Microbiology
Work highlights
- Advised private equity investor The Common Group in relation to its investment into, and takeover of, Belgian football club Patro Eisden Maasmechelen, a not-for-profit association.
- Assisting IWUF in relation to a dispute against the liquidator of the Belgium (former) European Wushu Federation (EWUF).
- Assisting the founders of EUMICON AISBL with the drafting of the articles of association and the incorporation of their new association.
Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3
ALTIUS combines a prolific record in mid-market M&A with capabilities in cross-border corporate reorganisations and standout in-house financing, tax, and regulatory capabilities, allowing the firm to handle a wide range of corporate mandates for clients ranging from domestic SMEs to multinationals and international investment funds. Key areas of focus for the team include digitalisation, energy and infrastructure, life sciences, and arts and media, offering industry-specific expertise in its areas of specialism and others. Practice heads include Tom Vantroyen, a regular adviser on domestic and cross-border M&A and private equity deals, Jérôme Vermeylen, who has been active in the IT space, and Marie Brasseur, who has a strong reputation for international M&A and cross-border restructurings.Practice head(s):
Marie Brasseur; Tom Vantroyen; Jérôme Vermeylen
Testimonials
‘Tom Vantroyen is an exceptionally talented and dedicated lawyers with vast experience in PE deals.’
Key clients
Alticor
AniCura
BK Partners
Canon
Coatue
CRH
Daikin
Deutsche Invest Mittelstand
Elisa Corporation
Gerflor
ImmunoPrecise Antibodies
Indufin
KONE
Olives & Co
PB Industries
SAAB
Siemens
SSP Belgium
Vertica Capital Partners
World Flight Services
Yellowstone Holding
Yunex
Work highlights
- Advised the listed company ImmunoPrecise Antibodies in relation to its acquisition of the Belgian bioinformatics company BIOSTRAND and its affiliates BIOKEY and BIOCLUE.
- Assisting telecommunications group Citymesh (part of Cegeka) in relation to all legal aspects of its joint venture with Romanian group DIGI and their joint participation in the recent mobile spectrum tender as the fourth mobile telecoms provider in the Belgian market.
- Advised Elisa Corporation in relation to its acquisition of a majority stake in TenForce NV.
Belgium > Competition: Belgian law Tier 3
ALTIUS offers integrated sectoral support to clients in the life sciences, retail, and infrastructure sectors, among others, advising on domestic competition considerations relating to joint ventures, distribution agreements, and technology transfers, as well as representing clients before the Belgian Competition Authority in merger control and state aid cases. The firm is also noted for its work at the intersection of intellectual property and competition law. Carmen Verdonck, praised for her ‘great experience with competition law matters‘, leads the team, which also includes counsel Beatrijs Gielen, who acts for clients across a wide range of sectors on mergers, cartel, and intellectual property issues.Practice head(s):
Carmen Verdonck
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team’s strength is its people’s knowledge and coordination (if one is not available, the others support with same level of support) to fulfil clients’ needs on time.’
‘I found people with the highest knowledge on this matter. Listening needs and fast reaction complete the strengths.’
‘Solid team with great industry knowledge providing services at good price/quality ratio.’
‘Carmen Verdonck has great experience with competition law matters in our sector and is available to discuss and willing to think alongside the business.’
Key clients
VZW K. Racing Club Genk
Indufin Capital Partners
Campine
Cordes & Graefe KG
Siemens
Felbermayr Holding GmbH
Beiersdorf
Euroseeds
PACE
BOLTON
Work highlights
- Assisted Indufin Capital Partners with the acquisition of a controlling shareholding in the DIY tools VARO Group of companies.
- Assisted Cordes & Graefe KG (“C&G”) in their acquisition of the full control of the FACQ Group, a major player on the Belgian market for the sale to professional customers of mainly sanitary, plumbing, ventilation, heating and air conditioning products.
- Assisted Felbermayr Holding GmbH and its affiliate company, Haeger & Schmidt Logistics GmbH, with the merger control clearance procedure before the European Commission concerning the creation of a full-function joint venture between the Felbermayr group and the PSA group.
Belgium > Dispute resolution Tier 3
Sought out by a diverse roster of blue-chip multinationals and domestic companies, ALTIUS regularly represents clients in cartel damages claims, international arbitral proceedings, and disputes concerning supply chain, distribution, and industrial liability matters. The practice is jointly chaired by Alexander Hansebout, who anchors the firm’s arbitration offering, and Christophe Ronse, a veteran commercial litigator who focuses principally on patent and pharmaceutical sector matters. Other key names to note include insolvency and administrative liability specialist Bart Heynickx, and experienced contract and sports lawyer Stijn Van Schel - both of whom were promoted to partner in September 2022. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.Practice head(s):
Alexander Hansebout; Christophe Ronse
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘I have worked with the team on an immensely complex multi-jurisdictional dispute involving issues in insolvency, fraud and securities law. The team was always on top of things and managed it brilliantly.’
‘Alexander Hansebout stands out with his high analytical skills. Alexander always keeps calm even in the most stressful situations and provides really solid advice.’
‘Bart Heynickx is an excellent lawyer to have by your side, with his excellent command of the law.’
Key clients
Siemens Mobility
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy
UEFA
MARS
Gilead
Merck Sharp & Dohme
Daikin
Work highlights
- Advised FNG, a Euronext-listed fashion retail group that was facing financial difficulties.
- Represented UEFA as a defendant in the litigation started by a Belgian agent joined by supporters of various football clubs against the ‘Financial Fair Play’ (FFP) rule imposed on clubs participating in UEFA competitions.
- Assisting Pace Rights Management in abuse of dominant position proceedings between SABAM and approximately thirty festival and concert promoters, taken before the Court of Appeal of Brussels.
Belgium > EU regulatory: Financial services Tier 3
ALTIUS works with financial services institutions, investment funds, and payment providers on regulatory compliance and operational issues, fund formation and jurisdictional mandates, and innovative matters relating to fintech and payment legislation. The firm is noted for its work for international clients on the set up of operations in Belgium, including tax and financial services regulatory issues. Counsel Audrey Zegers leads the team, and handles broad compliance work as well as the regulatory elements of financing transactions.Practice head(s):
Audrey Zegers
Other key lawyers:
Elias Nys
Testimonials
‘Altius has been our go-to counsel in Belgium for many years. We work with them on AIFMD registrations for international private investment funds in the private equity, real estate and infrastructure sectors. They are always responsive and efficient. They are also very valuable in assisting with regulatory advice for our clients looking to set up offices in Belgium.’
‘Audrey Zegers has been our main contact at Altius and we value her deep knowledge of the regulatory environment in Belgium. Elias Nys has been a particularly impressive associate, assisting on regulatory filings in a responsive and efficient manner.’
Key clients
Commerzbank Brussels branch
Degroof Petercam Asset Services S.A. (Luxemburg)
Fortegra Europe Insurance Company
SFS SAS – Siemens
Winterhalter Belgium NV/SA
Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management (Luxembourg)
Canaccord Genuity Investment Funds plc / WM
Sodexo Pass Belgium NV / SA
Work highlights
- Advised Commerzbank on the closing formalities of its Belgian branch and advised on the set-up of various alternatives for the future presence of the credit institution in Belgium.
- Aadvised Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management on the structuring and incorporation of the Belgian UCITS fund “EDR BE SICAV” and its day-to-day operations.
- Advised Sodexo on the application of the Belgian payments legislation and Sodexo’s reliance on the “limited network” exemption regime for their gift and consumer vouchers.
Belgium > EU regulatory: Privacy and data protection Tier 3
ALTIUS advises a diverse client base, including major names such as Google and Beiersdorf, on GDPR compliance, data protection disputes, and regulatory issues encompassing data processing, transfers, and strategic projects. The team, led by the ‘extremely knowledgeable‘ Gerrit Vandendriessche, represents clients before European and domestic courts on issues such as Right To Be Forgotten claims, and data elements of public procurement contracts, with particular strength in the tech, commerce, and telecoms sectors.Practice head(s):
Gerrit Vandendriessche
Testimonials
‘Great team with solid experience.’
‘Gerrit Vandendriessche is an extremely knowledgeable lawyer in the data protection space with solid experience in the litigation space.’
‘Driven by attention to detail in delivering pragmatic advice.’
‘Gerrit Vandendriessche puts his feet in the shoes of clients.’
‘Great expertise, good communication and documentation.’
‘They really know our business. Always added value, always a pleasure to collaborate.’
Key clients
Mediahuis
Intrum
AT&T
Beiersdorf
Niko
Puratos
Work highlights
- Represented Google Belgium in right to be forgotten disputes before the Belgian data protection authority and the Brussels court of appeal.
- Assisted a provider of electronic communications in relation to Belgian rules on data retention, lawful interception and encryption.
- Assisted Beiersdorf on data protection compliance.
Belgium > Insolvency and restructuring Tier 3
The insolvency and restructuring team at ALTIUS is led by domestic and international dispute resolution specialist Alexander Hansebout and Bart Heynickx, who was made up to partner in September 2022. In collaboration with lawyers in the firm’s corporate and employment departments, the practice provides a multidisciplinary service covering restructuring advice to distressed companies, security reviews for creditors, and litigation.Practice head(s):
Alexander Hansebout; Bart Heynickx
Key clients
Allsafe Group
Deutsche Invest Mittelstand
FNG NV
FNG Nordic AB (Ellos Group)
G-Star
Apple
De Jong
Izola Bank
Container Centralen
Kontron
Manuloc
Association European Airlines
Work highlights
- Advised FNG, a Euronext-listed fashion retail group facing financial difficulties after its Benelux affiliates had been declared bankrupt in the context of a highly publicised scandal.
- Advised the management of Alvance Aluminium Duffel in the context of disputes with its majority shareholder (Sanjeev Gupta) and creditors aiming at taking over the business.
- Assisted the Kontron group when confronted with issues in the framework of an important joint venture project, while at the same time resolving corporate and capital concerns to ensure the companies’ continuity.
Belgium > Private equity Tier 3
Advising domestic and international buyout, real estate, mezzanine financing, and equity investment funds, the team at ALTIUS primarily handles fund formation and fundraising mandates, alongside associated regulatory and tax considerations, working closely with the firm’s banking and finance team. The practice also advises on buyouts, minority investments, and exits, with a focus on early-stage companies in the life sciences and tech spaces. Tom Vantroyen and Marie Brasseur lead the team, which combines transactional and financing expertise.Practice head(s):
Tom Vantroyen; Marie Brasseur
Testimonials
‘The team is very hands-on. Partners and other senior lawyers are very accessible and dedicated.’
‘Tom Vantroyen is always quick on the ball and a pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
Access Capital Partners
Alticor
Blackstone
COATUE
Deutsche Invest Mittelstand
Indufin Investment Fund
Indufin Capital Partners
The Common Group
Work highlights
- Advising Coatue as lead investor in the $150 Mio Series D Funding round of Deliverect, a SaaS platform that automates restaurants’ online orders.
- Assisted Indufin Investment Fund in relation to its investment in DIY distributor VARO.
- Advised Deutsche Invest Mittelstand (DIM) in relation to its acquisition of 100% of the shares of the Aspel group.
Belgium > Real estate and construction Tier 3
ALTIUS‘s real estate and regulatory practice is led jointly by Lieven Peeters, who focuses on transactional work, and William Timmermans, who specialises in regulatory issues. The team is active in significant development projects with cross-border elements. Counsel Caroline De Mulder rejoined the firm from an in-house role in April 2022, bringing additional capacity in public procurement, construction, and planning matters.Practice head(s):
Lieven Peeters; William Timmermans
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
MARK (Meyer Bergman)
Baltisse
Patron Capital
DFDS Group
Belfius Insurance S.A.
Corinthia Hotels
Foot Locker
ING
KFC
Zalando
WP Carey
MiDeal
KBC Verzekeringen
Molenwater Groep N.V.
Maxeda DIY Group
Limehome GmbH
Cloudkitchens
PMI
CBREIM
United States Government
Beiersdorf
Farm Frites
OneBox
ProWinko
Alight
Fiberklaar B.V.
Work highlights
- Assisting the US Government with the potential acquisition of a four-hectare site with 100,000 sq m of office space for its new embassy in Brussels, a stone’s throw from the EU institutions.
- Assisting Maexeda DIY Group with the real estate-related aspects of its store portfolio.
- Assisting Fiberklaar NV with various aspects of the rollout of its fibreglass network in Belgium in partnership with Belgium’s largest telecoms operator.
Belgium > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 4
ALTIUS advises on cross-border financing transactions, with a particular focus on work for borrowers on regulatory issues and loan restructuring, including standout work for payments services clients and investment funds. The firm has expertise in acquisition financing, syndicated lending, and capital markets work, and regularly advises on UK and Netherlands-domiciled mandates. Counsel Audrey Zegers, a specialist in banking and securities law, leads the team alongside Jérôme Vermeylen, who is focused on corporate finance.Practice head(s):
Audrey Zegers; Jérôme Vermeylen
Testimonials
‘Hands on, reactive and knowledgeable teams with a consensual approach whilst preserving the interest of the client.’
‘Ms. Zegers is a go-to person in her field excelling in both knowledge and interpersonal skills.’
‘Altius has been our go-to counsel in Belgium for many years. We work with them on AIFMD registrations for international private investment funds in the private equity, real estate and infrastructure sectors. They are always responsive and efficient. They are also very valuable in assisting with regulatory advice for our clients looking to set up offices in Belgium.’
‘Audrey Zegers has been our main contact at Altius and we value her deep knowledge of the regulatory environment in Belgium.’
Key clients
Commerzbank AG, Brussels Branch
Brody Group
Corinthia Hotels
Crisp
FNG NV
SFS SAS – Siemens
Syndicate of banks ABN Amro Bank N.V., ABN Amro Asset Based Finance N.V., Deutsche Bank AG, Amsterdam Branch and KBC Bank NV the Netherlands
Van de Velde Packaging
Winterhalter Belgium
Work highlights
- Assisted Van De Velde Packaging with the negotiation of its external financing provided by Kartesia.
- Advised FNG NV on the financing aspects of a deal with one of its main creditors and negotiated the related finance documents and security interests.
- Advised Edmond De Rothschild Asset Management Luxemburg on the structuring and incorporation of an entirely new UCITS fund with a specific tax treatment (DBI BEVEK).
Belgium > Competition: EU and global Tier 6
ALTIUS advises on merger control, distribution arrangements, abuse of dominance, and state aid cases for clients in its key focus areas of consumer goods and retail, life sciences, media, and sports, with regular appearances before the European Commission and EU courts for both domestic and international businesses. Another notable area of expertise for the team, led by Carmen Verdonck, is competition cases intersecting with intellectual property, such as patent infringements and technology transfer arrangements.Practice head(s):
Carmen Verdonck
Testimonials
‘Solid team with good knowledge of our industry sector and great price/quality ratio.’
‘Carmen Verdonck is a partner with great experience of competition law matters in our sector. Good availability to discuss alongside our business.’
Key clients
Campine
Siemens
Citymesh
VZW K. Racing Club Genk
Indufin Capital Partners
Cordes & Graefe KG
Felbermayr Holding GmbH
Beiersdorf
Euroseeds
PACE
BOLTON
Work highlights
- Assisted Campine in its appeal against the Commission decision of 8 February 2017 in the Car Battery Recycling case and successfully managed to have the 8.2 Mio EUR fine imposed on Campine to be reduced to 4.2 Mio EUR.
- Assisted Cordes & Graefe KG in its acquisition and the merger control clearance of the full control of the FACQ Group.
- Assisted Felbermayr Holding GmbH and its affiliate company, Haeger & Schmidt Logistics GmbH, with the merger control clearance procedure before the European Commission concerning the creation of a full-function joint venture between the Felbermayr group and the PSA group.
ALTIUS > Firm Profile
ALTIUS is one of the largest Belgian independent law firms. Established in Brussels and Louvain-la-Neuve, the firm advises Belgian and international companies on the legal aspects of transactions, projects and disputes. For all tax related issues, ALTIUS maintains an operational relationship with the niche firm Tiberghien.
ALTIUS helps its clients navigate through often-complex legislation and regulatory environments and provide clear solutions to a wide range of legal issues. In addition to its specialist legal knowledge, ALTIUS focuses on thinking creatively with its clients to offer tailor-made solutions. ALTIUS’ aim is to turn, through careful listening and awareness, strategic questions into clear, straightforward answers.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Corporate and M&A | Marie Brasseur | marie.brasseur@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Intellectual Property | Philippe de Jong | philippe.dejong@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Employment - Sports | Sven Demeulemeester | sven.demeulemeester@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Employment | Philippe De Wulf | philippe.dewulf@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Sports | Gregory Ernes | gregory.ernes@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Dispute Resolution | Alexander Hansebout | alexander.hansebout@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Insolvency & Restructuration | Bart Heynickx | bart.heynickx@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Real Estate | Lieven Peeters | lieven.peeters@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Intellectual Property | Christophe Ronse | christophe.ronse@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Real Estate - Regulatory | William Timmermans | william.timmermans@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
ICT | Gerrit Vandendriessche | gerrit.vandendriessche@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Dispute Resolution | Stijn Van Schel | stijn.vanschel@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Corporate and M&A | Tom Vantroyen | tom.vantroyen@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Commercial - Competition | Carmen Verdonck | carmen.verdonck@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Corporate and M&A | Jérôme Vermeylen | jerome.vermeylen@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Intellectual Property | Olivier Vrins | olivier.vrins@altius.com | +32 2 426 1414 |
Meet The Team(s)
Lawyer Profiles
Staff Figures
Lawyers : 65 Support Staff : 35Languages
English Dutch French Spanish GermanMemberships
World Services Group (WSG)Diversity
At ALTIUS we feel responsible for the development of a fairer, more inclusive, and more sustainable society, both within and outside our firm. Therefore we conduct our business in a way that is consistent with our values.
Diversity
ALTIUS acts with integrity towards its lawyers and support teams. We foster openness and transparency at all levels within our firm. Mutual trust and respect are essential to us.
Diversity and multi-culturalism are at the heart of our business and help us to respond better to our clients’ needs. Our belief is that diversity creates a positive workforce environment and that our clients only want to work with law firms who respect their lawyers and employees and share their values.
ALTIUS is a founding member of the Legal Diversity & Inclusion Alliance (LDIA), an association created by various law firms in Belgium that aims to promote, develop and implement knowledge and best-practice exchange on diversity and inclusion. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace in which everyone benefits from equal treatment and opportunities, irrespective of race, ethnic or social origin, gender or sexual orientation, age, disability, language, religion, political preference or any other grounds of personal discrimination.
We “walk the talk”. For more than 14 years, ALTIUS has been led by female managing partners. Female lawyers compose 45% of our practitioners and are well represented at all levels within the firm.
In addition, we regularly organise workshops and debates about diversity and inclusion in the workplace and never miss a chance to celebrate special days such as the International Women’s Day.
Society
At ALTIUS we highly value ethical entrepreneurship, not only by embracing its spirit in our daily work but also by supporting ETION, the forum for committed entrepreneurs. ETION’s values of warmth, strength, thoroughness and openness, are very much like ALTIUS’ ones. We are a proud sponsor of this organisation that supports and train entrepreneurs.
Caring for society means also caring for its less privileged members. That is why ALTIUS is a proud sponsor of several associations active in the fields of access to education (Cunina, thanks to which ALTIUS is the ‘godmother’ of 5 young girls in Uganda, Kinderarmoedefonds), research and support for children and families affected by cancer (Kinderkankerfonds, Olivia Fund, KickCancer) and culture (Friend of AB).
Via initiatives such as the Legal Run and de Warmste week we also ‘put on our running shoes’ each year to raise money for various associations.
- Industry focus: Media and entertainment
- Industry focus: Retail
- Intellectual property
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Employment
- Industry focus: Food
- Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences
- Industry focus: IT and telecoms
- Insurance
- Not-for-profit