ASTREA CVBA > Antwerp, Belgium > Firm Profile
ASTREA CVBA Offices
POSTHOFBRUG 6
B-2600 ANTWERP
Belgium
ASTREA CVBA > The Legal 500 Rankings
Belgium > Industry focus: Transport Tier 1
Praised for its ‘pre-eminent service in the field of maritime law‘, ASTREA CVBA‘s contentious and advisory expertise also extends to transport law in general. The Antwerp-based team has a focus on cargo and ship interests and is geared to handle matters such as cargo damage claims, seizures of ocean-going vessels and maritime appraisals. Commercial law specialist Marc Van Looveren heads up the unit and frequently represents companies in cases related to collisions at sea, ship’s arrests and charterparty disputes. Ruud De Houwer is mandated by clients ranging from shipping companies to public authorities to assist with issues such as cargo claims and general average-related mandates.Practice head(s):
Marc Van Looveren
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Pre-eminent service in the field of maritime law with the additional benefit of being part of a larger firm where more areas of law are covered: first class.’
‘The firm takes a very practical approach and is business oriented.’
‘Knowledgeable in the field with a deep understanding of business needs.’
‘They have an extensive team with very diverse expertise, also the follow up is more than excellent.’
‘The team can work under pressure, respects deadlines, is available, pragmatic and helps to look for solutions.’
‘ The team provides quick and up-to-date feedback to our questions.’
‘No nonsense, professional and firm knowledge of the subjects they are supporting. Correct approach giving you a clear understanding of the strategy to follow.’
‘Flexible, professional, good communication skills, in-depth knowledge.’
Key clients
Skuld P&I
North Standard
West of England P&I
Belgian Federal Government – Department of Transport and Mobility
Belgian Federal Government – Department of Health and the Environment
Saga Welco
Briese Schiffahrts / BBC Shipping Chartering
Great White Fleet (Chiquita)
Einride AB
Dole GmbH
Maersk
Spliethof, Transfennica
Fast Forward Freight
Crystal Cruises
Katoen Natie Group
Van Es Group
Noord Natie Holding
SCUA Belgium
Lukoil Benelux BV
Topoil AB
Heros Sluiskil BV
Saga Welco
U.K. Club
Cargill
Arcadia Commodities Trading
LIEBHERR
Marincon
Steelforce
Work highlights
- Representing the Belgian federal government in a high-profile collision case involving the mv. “Flinterstar”, which was hit by the gas tanker mv. “Al Oraiq”.
- Representing the owners of the mv. “BBC Virginia”, in respect of a cargo claim citing a loss of approx. $14m as a result of alleged fire damage to yachts shipped aboard the vessel.
Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4
In addition to handling work in the private equity space, ASTREA‘s transactional practice advises on strategic M&A in a wide array of sectors, with a particularly established base of media and automotive clients. The team’s portfolio of M&A work includes real estate transactions, start-up and scale-up investments, and cross-border deals. Frédéric Verspreeuwen, who advises on governance and litigation matters in addition to transactional work, co-leads the practice with private equity and venture capital expert Micha Van den Abeele and corporate finance specialist Dieter Veestraeten. Former practice co-head Steven De Schrijver left the team in late 2022.Practice head(s):
Frédéric Verspreeuwen; Micha Van den Abeele; Dieter Veestraeten
Other key lawyers:
Seppe Laenen
Testimonials
‘We work with Astrea on M&A and corporate law matters. Astrea is a human-sized firm that is very accessible.’
‘The M&A team is very dedicated. Frédéric Verspreeuwen follows the files himself and thinks along with his client. He is a very good negotiator who is keen to find a solution.’
Key clients
INEOS Olefins Belgium
Gerantis
Jaguar Land Rover Belux
Argenta Spaarbank
Inbev Belgium
Allia Insurance Brokers
Toyota Belgium
Ford Motor Company (Belgium)
Middleby
Bockhold
GEO GROUP
IXX Pharma
Down 2 Earth Capital II CommV
Plantyn NV
Garvis
Gimber
November Five
DPG Media
Geo Investment Group
Cyan Renewables
Mawdsleys
Securex
ByMyCar
Seafrigo
Belgium > Dispute resolution Tier 4
The disputes practice at ASTREA is ‘extremely available and reliable, with the ability to come up with creative solutions‘. The team acts across a wide range of industries, with experience representing high-profile clients in commercial disputes, insolvency claims, and bankruptcy litigation. A particular areas of expertise for the department lies in transport and logistics work, with team head Marc Van Looveren possessing vast knowledge in this area, including in complex international disputes. Van Looveren is joined at leadership level by distribution law expert Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven.Practice head(s):
Marc Van Looveren; Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven
Other key lawyers:
Ruud de Houwer; Barbara Terriere
Testimonials
‘Strong and professional team. Taking the time to analyse the customers needs. Lots of experience.’
‘Always happy to help, available and very professional.’
‘The team is extremely available and reliable with the ability to come up with creative solutions.’
‘Especially Barbara Terriere and Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven have extremely good knowledge in both the automotive and the pharma industries. Very quick with a view for the core problems of a case.’
Key clients
Alfa Bank
Arcadia Commodities Trading – Seatankers
BHP Billiton Marketing AG
Liebherr GmbH
Music Hall Group
KMDA
Coface
Belgian Federal Government
Lukoil Benelux BV
Spliethof, Transfennica
Skuld P&I
AG-TEC
Hilaire Van Der Haeghe NV
Mast Diagnostics Gmbh
Byd
Creaton Benelux NV
Jaguar Land Rover Belux
Mazda Motor Belux
Hyundaï Construction Equipment
Osudio Belgium
Ford Motor Company (Belgium)
Nissan Belux
Toyota Belgium NV
Argenta NV
Work highlights
- Acting for Arcadia Commodities Trading, the commodities trading branch of the Seatankers group, in seeking appeal against an arbitration award of December 2021.
- Acting for HCEE, a manufacturer of heavy truck, in litigation against a French distributor which was terminated and is claiming different indemnities.
- Acting for Trau Bros in respect of a dispute about a commercial transaction, in which bills of exchange were issued by the now bankrupt diamond trader Exelco.
Belgium > Intellectual property Tier 4
Trade mark portfolio management, IP advice regarding film productions and third-party transfer and licence agreements stand out as areas of activity for the team of ‘leading specialists’ at ASTREA. In Antwerp, practice co-head Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven is a key contact for clients from the automotive sector. Brussels-based co-head Christine De Keersmaeker‘s varied practice includes assisting clients with the safeguarding of worldwide trade mark rights and handling litigation connected to copyright ownership. Thaïsssa Nuyens frequently provides key support to De Keersmaeker with the two described as an ‘excellent team‘ and ‘satisfying and reassuring to work with’.Practice head(s):
Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven; Christine De Keersmaeker
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is made up of leading specialists with in-depth expertise in these highly specialised fields. Their opinions are always very thorough and well-constructed.’
‘Thaïsssa Nuyens Nuyens and Christine De Keersmaeker form an excellent team we are delighted to work with. Their concern to ensure that their clients understand the advice they give and the energy they put into understanding our needs and objectives make working with them all the more satisfying and reassuring.’
Key clients
Greenpan LtD – The Cookware Company LTd
American Clothing Associates
IP Management & Consulting
Krëfel NV
The Searches
New Sobelwood
Wesp Europe N.V.
Studio Straf BV
Sander & Partners
Move to Cure
Mazda
DPG Media
NATAN
Christian Wijnants
Botter
Work highlights
- Assisting American Clothing Associates of the River Woods clothing brand, providing strategy advice regarding protection of IP, management of IP and exploitation of its IP aimed at growing the IP and business value of the company.
- Assisting Studio Straf with protection of it’s IP worldwide.
ASTREA CVBA > Firm Profile
The firm: Astrea is the independent all-round Belgian law firm promising result-oriented legal advice with 12 partners and more than 45 devoted legal experts spread between offices in Antwerp and Brussels. The firm was established in 2006 by a handful of experienced lawyers who had gained a wealth of experience in various firms, and has steadily expanded with experienced specialists and young talent. Astrea offers high-quality legal services to Belgian and international businesses, ranging from promising start-ups and growth companies to long-established corporations (including more than 15 Fortune 500 companies). Astrea also undertakes regular work for government departments and public bodies in Belgium.
The firm’s broad-based composition allows it to offer a comprehensive approach. Based on the individual client’s needs and the specific issues at hand, it assigns a customised team of specialist lawyers to each case. This enables it to consider every relevant area of law and provide the most efficient solution.
A unique blend of passion and respect is the strength of the Astrea team. The approach of every team member is always client-oriented and client-driven. It responds quickly, and is proactive and pragmatic. Quality is essential, but the firm also aims to be as cost-efficient as possible.
Areas of practice: Astrea is specialised in the following practice areas: corporate/M&A; banking and finance; real estate law; environmental law; administrative & public law; employment law; IT and privacy law; intellectual property, commercial law and contracting; insolvency and restructuring; transport and logistics law; distribution law; EU -and competition law; Insurance.
Astrea is focused on the following sectors: automotive; entertainment; environment and sustainability; fashion; food and beverage; real estate; technology; public; life sciences & healthcare; sports; media; petrochemical industry; transport and logistics; retail.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Transport and logistics | Marc Van Looveren | mvl@astrealaw.be | +3232871133 |
Commercial and distribution | Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven | ovf@astrealaw.be | +3232871109 |
Commercial and distribution | Filip Desmedt | fde@astrealaw.be | +3232871108 |
Real estate and environment | Ciska Servais | cs@astrealaw.be | +3232871123 |
Real estate and environment | Philippe Van Wesemael | pvw@astrealaw.be | +3222159758 |
Employment | Rudi Desmet | rds@astrealaw.be | +3232871128 |
Corporate/M&A | Micha Van den Abeele | mvda@astrealaw.be | +3232871120 |
Corporate/M&A | Frédéric Verspreeuwen | fvs@astrealaw.be | +3232871113 |
IT and privacy | Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven | ovf@astrealaw.be | +3232871109 |
Insolvency and restructuring | Marc Van Looveren | mvl@astrealaw.be | +3232871133 |
Intellectual Property | Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven | ovf@astrealaw.be | +3232871109 |
Intellectual Property | Christine De Keersmaeker | cdk@astrealaw.be | +3222159758 |
Dispute resolution | Marc Van Looveren | mvl@astrealaw.be | +3232871133 |
Dispute resolution | Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven | ovf@astrealaw.be | +3232871109 |
Environment | Ilse Cuypers | icu@astrealaw.be | +3232871183 |
Administrative and public | Philippe Van Wesemael | pvw@astrealaw.be | +3222159758 |
Banking and finance | Dieter Veestraeten | dve@astrealaw.be | +32 22159758 |
Commercial and distribution | Barbara Terriere | bte@astrealaw.be | +32 32871110 |
IT and privacy | Barbara Terriere | bte@astrealaw.be | +32 32871110 |
Transport and logistics | Ruud De Houwer | rdh@astrealaw.be | +3232871106 |
Dispute resolution | Ruud De Houwer | rdh@astrealaw.be | +3232871106 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Ilse Cuypers | Ilse Cuypers is a partner at Astrea and specializes in environmental law… | View Profile | |
Ruud De Houwer | As a partner at Astrea, Ruud specializes in commercial law, maritime and… | View Profile | |
Filip Desmedt | Filip Desmedt is a partner at Astrea and specializes in commercial and… | View Profile | |
Rudi Desmet | Rudi Desmet is a partner at Astrea. He has over 30 years… | View Profile | |
Ciska Servais | Ciska Servais is a partner at Astrea and as Astrea’s head of… | View Profile | |
Barbara Terriere | Barbara Terriere is a partner at the Antwerp office of Astrea. She… | View Profile | |
Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven | Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven is a partner at Astrea and specializes in distribution… | View Profile | |
Marc Van Looveren | Marc Van Looveren is a partner at Astrea, specializing in liability and… | View Profile | |
Philippe Van Wesemael | As a partner at Astrea, Philippe van Wesemael specializes in real estate… | View Profile | |
Micha Van den Abeele | As a partner at Astrea, Micha Van den Abeele specializes in corporate… | View Profile | |
Dieter Veestraeten | Dieter Veestraeten has more than 20 years of experience in advising large… | View Profile | |
Frédéric Verspreeuwen | Frédéric Verspreeuwen is a partner at the Antwerp office of Astrea since… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 45 at this office : 40 at the Brussels office : 5Languages
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Other offices : Brussels- Industry focus: Transport