ALTIUS > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile

ALTIUS > The Legal 500 Rankings

Belgium > Industry focus: Media and entertainment Tier 1

ALTIUS is known for its ability to guide clients such as broadcasters publishing houses and music publishers through a variety of work including IP issues, publicity rights and regulatory compliance matters. The firm is also praised for having the ‘most experienced and available team of lawyers in the Belgian sports sector’. Sports law experts Sven Demeulemeester and Grégory Ernes jointly lead the practice alongside Olivier Vrins, who excels in issues connected to copyright, brand protection and publicity rights. Alexander De Bleeckere is a known name for libel, slander and defamation cases, while Willem-Alexander Devlies further expands the sports law expertise at the firm.

Belgium > Industry focus: Retail Tier 1

The 'apt advisors for a multitude of retail matters’ at ALTIUS are trusted by retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers from the food, footwear and the luxury goods industries for assistance on issues ranging from disputes to brand protection work to strategic alliances. The ‘very knowledgeable‘ Carmen Verdonck co-heads the practice and is well placed to advise domestic and international clients on the establishment and restructuring of distribution networks. Lieven Peeters approaches retail from a real estate perspective and is well versed in issues such as sale-and-leaseback transactions. Alexander Hansebout‘s dispute resolution expertise is relied upon by an array of brands, retailers and suppliers. Mathieu Maniet has specialist knowledge pertaining to distribution law.

Belgium > Intellectual property Tier 1

The intellectual property practice at ALTIUS runs the gamut of intellectual property and unfair competition mandates with patents, parallel trade matters and geographical indications among the team’s core areas of expertise. A trio of partners head up the team: Christophe Ronse is well versed in patent law and life sciences; Olivier Vrins frequently wins plaudits for his work on anti-counterfeiting cases; and Philippe de Jong handles a steady stream of litigation related to plant variety rights. Kirian Claeyé, who made partner in September 2023, has a notable focus on patents and is a key contact for pharmaceuticals clients. Trade mark and patent litigation are strong suits of Sophie Lens, while Alexander De Bleeckere is another name to note.

Belgium > Employment Tier 2

The team at ALTIUS advises on cross-border mergers and transactions, assists with restructuring and TUPE matters, and handles individual and collective dismissals and employee disputes for a client base of large corporates that is particularly concentrated in the sports sector. The team also regularly advises on the implementation of new company-wide policies and remuneration schemes, working closely with partner firms to provide integrated employment and tax advice to its clients. Practice head Philippe De Wulf handles a wide portfolio of contentious and non-contentious employment issues, with a particular focus on transactional matters. Sven Demeulemeester and Grégory Ernes have represented Belgian football clubs and sports governing bodies in high-profile dismissals and contract disputes. Emma Van Caenegem is the key name at counsel level.

Belgium > EU regulatory: Privacy and data protection Tier 2

In addition to its long-standing reputation for GDPR compliance work, ALTIUS is increasingly gaining prominence in the more niche areas of personal camera data processing, direct marketing, cookies and traffic data retention, national identifiers, and health and research data. Key senior contact Gerrit Vandendriessche also regularly conducts data protection-related cases before the Belgian Data Protection Authority, as well as the civil and administrative courts. Counsel Jan Clinck is likewise recommended.

Belgium > Industry focus: Food Tier 2

Fielding ‘extensive knowledge’ in the food and beverage industry, ALTIUS assists clients across a vast variety of matters ranging from consumer protection and product liability to labelling and advertising, as well as IP enforcement. Practice heads Olivier Vrins and Philippe de Jong are both specialised in IP; de Jong focuses on patents and plant variety rights, while Vrins counts geographical indications and designations of origins amongst his areas of expertise.

Belgium > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Housing a team which is praised by clients for its 'unmatched' quality, ALTIUS dispenses expert advice to a varied client base of pharmaceutical, biotech, and software developers. The practice handles a broad range of issues, including pricing and reimbursement work, data related license agreements, and hospital tenders. Christophe Ronse leads the team alongside Philippe de Jong. Ronse is noted for his expertise in acting for domestic and international healthcare clients in both national and international patent disputes, while de Jong handles a broad range of IP issues concerning parallel imports and plant variety rights. Promoted to partner in September 2023, the 'hands-on' Kirian Claeyé contributes his deep regulatory knowledge of marketing strategies, clinical trials, and life cycle management.

Belgium > Industry focus: IT and telecoms Tier 2

ALTIUS‘ offering includes assisting with acquisitions in the IT and telecoms sector, providing day-to-day advice for multinational organisations, and handling contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Gerrit Vandendriessche heads up the team; his far-reaching advisory practice encompasses computer law, electronic communications and e-commerce matters, while IT-related litigation is another area of strength. Jan Clinck‘s in-depth knowledge of new technologies is frequently brought to bear in both contentious and non-contentious mandates.

Belgium > Insurance Tier 2

ALTIUS‘ multi-disciplinary practice assists insurance companies, reinsurers and insurance intermediaries across a broad section of matters with advice on regulatory issues concerning M&A, the structuring of insurance distribution channels and employment mandates among the team’s key areas of focus. Contentious work including insurance coverage disputes is an additional strength. Alexander Hansebout and Jérôme Vermeylen jointly chair the practice with the former a key contact for international disputes. Fellow litigator Stijn Van Schel has a proven track record in handling liability and coverage disputes. Cross-border transactions specialist Audrey Zegers is a further key contact.

Belgium > Not-for-profit Tier 2

With clients ranging from the Belgian Volleyball Association to the Republic of Pakistan, the practice at ALTIUS assists a broad range of organisations with legal issues such as regulatory issues under European law, intellectual property rights, data protection and litigation. Practice head Jérôme Vermeylen  handles corporate issues such as the setting-up and functioning of not-for-profits; competition expert Carmen Verdonck has a strong track record in obtaining merger control clearance from the Belgian Competition Authority; and Olivier Vrins is a key contact for IP mandates and has a notable focus on the field of designations of origin and geographical indications. Commercial specialist Gerrit Vandendriessche is a further name to note.

Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

ALTIUS provides clients with a ‘high-quality service’ in connection with mid-market M&A transactions, with a strong track record of advising on both domestic and cross-border transactions, corporate restructurings and reorganisations, and private equity investments. The practice profits from the firm’s in-house tax, employment, finance, and litigation capabilities, which enable the team to advise on acquisition financing matters, complex due diligence questions, and post-acquisition disputes, particularly in the retail, energy, and TMT spaces. Tom Vantroyen, who co-leads the practice with restructuring and M&A specialists Marie Brasseur and Jérôme Vermeylen, is particularly noted for his advice on joint ventures and private equity deals.

Belgium > Competition: Belgian law Tier 3

Merger control forms the core of the practice at ALTIUS; the firm is skilled in clearances from the Belgian Competition Authority, as well as co-ordinating filings. Recently, the team has also seen a dramatic increase in antitrust damages litigations cases, which are fast becoming an area of specialism. Carmen Verdonck oversees the department, working closely with recently promoted counsel Beatrijs Gielen, for whom IP-related competition law issues are a particular strength.

Belgium > Dispute resolution Tier 3

ALTIUS fields a ‘solid dispute resolution practice with experience in the Belgian market‘ with cross-jurisdictional expertise across cartel damages claims, arbitrations, enforcement proceedings, and supply chain disputes. The practice is also adept at handling intricate insolvency and insurance related matters. Alexander Hansebout, who is a ‘calm, reassuring voice in the midst of the sound and fury of litigation‘, acts as the head of the team alongside Christophe Ronse.

Belgium > EU regulatory: Financial services Tier 3

The banking and finance department at ALTIUS - headed up by counsel Audrey Zegers - has significant regulatory expertise, advising on licensing and registration requirements, the relevant aspects of restructurings and M&A transactions, product regulations, and conduct and consumer protection rules. The firm’s funds practice also assists large international entities with their cross-border migrations to Belgium.

Belgium > EU regulatory: Food Tier 3

The ‘very dedicated’ cross-practice offering at ALTIUS spans contentious and advisory mandates relevant to food and drink producers, agri-biotech companies, plant and animal breeders, sector organisations, and governments. Product liability cases, labelling and advertising matters, and consumer protection issues all form part of the regular workload. Philippe de Jong and Olivier Vrins bring a strong IP focus to the group.

Belgium > EU regulatory: Pharma, medical devices and biotech Tier 3

The ‘very practical‘ team at ALTIUS counts innovative companies in the pharma industry, as well as hospitals, private equity investors, and leading groups from the dental and veterinary spheres among its key clients. Christophe Ronse brings his IP expertise to bear on relevant life sciences work, while Philippe de Jong has extensive regulatory experience.

Belgium > Insolvency and restructuring Tier 3

ALTIUS' team is well-versed in the contentious and non-contentious aspects of restructuring and insolvency practice, from advising debtors on out-of-court restructurings and applications for judicial protection to representing creditors in asset recovery and liability claims. Practice head Bart Heynickx, who specialises in commercial litigation, furthermore displays extensive experience in advising on asset takeovers and insolvency proceedings. Insurance expert Alexander Hansebout is also recommended.

Belgium > Private equity Tier 3

Belgian-based private equity and venture capital clients as well as international funds such as Platinum Equity instruct ALTIUS to advise on the domestic due diligence and negotiation aspects of cross-border buyouts and investments, relying also on the team’s integrated expertise across tax, regulatory, and financing matters. In addition to its transactional expertise, the team routinely advises international clients on the set-up of new Belgium-based fund structures. Tom Vantroyen and Marie Brasseur are key contacts for corporate matters, while Audrey Zegers is recommended for her financing expertise.

Belgium > Real estate and construction Tier 3

The real estate practice at ALTIUS ‘consistently provides quick solutions and has top-notch expertise‘. The firm frequently handles cross-border transactions and development projects. The ‘accessible, open, accurate and knowledgeable‘ Lieven Peeters co-leads the practice with regulatory partner William Timmermans. Counsel Caroline De Mulder‘s work encompasses public procurement and construction matters.

Belgium > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 5

ALTIUS‘ team is jointly led by corporate finance expert Jérôme Vermeylen and regulatory specialist Audrey Zegers, who together advise a roster of institutional lenders as well as corporate borrowers and investment funds on financial and payments regulations, acquisition financings, syndicated lending, and bond issuances. The team has a particular focus on assisting international clients with Belgian regulatory aspects of market entries, restructurings, and leveraged transactions.

Belgium > Competition: EU and global Tier 6

ALTIUS typically assists with merger filings; IP-related competition law issues, including infringements of patents and technology transfer agreements; and distribution arrangements and other forms of vertical and horizontal co-operations. Consumer goods, life sciences, media, transport and construction are sectors of particular focus. Seasoned senior practitioner Carmen Verdonck is capably supported by counsel Beatrijs Gielen.

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium