ARGO Law > Antwerp, Belgium > Firm Profile
ARGO Law Offices
Borsbeeksebrug 28
2600 Antwerp
Belgium
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ARGO Law > The Legal 500 Rankings
Belgium > Private equity Tier 2
Boutique firm ARGO Law is very established in the Benelux private equity market, handling a large volume of complex transactions while also drawing on cross-practice expertise to advise on fund structuring, tax, and governance matters. The team is increasingly active on cross-border buyouts and minority investments and is noted in particular for its advice on fund formation, regularly applying its regulatory and governance expertise to advise on the incorporation and post-incorporation structuring of new private equity and venture capital funds. Kris Verdoodt and Bert Van Ingelghem, whose portfolios encompass a wide range of private equity transactions, co-head the practice. Tax and fund structuring experts Philippe Rens and Freya Jorens are also highly recommended, as is transactional expert Louis Hoet.Practice head(s):
Kris Verdoodt; Bert Van Ingelghem
Other key lawyers:
Philippe Rens; Louis Hoet; Freya Jorens;Mattias Verbeeck; Evelyn Van Raemdonck
Testimonials
‘ The team always has a pragmatic approach fr, regardless of the complexity of the matter. Top quality.’
‘Kris Verdoodt offers a pragmatic approach and efficient interventions in highly complex international deals. Very detailed, but always impact-oriented, went the extra mile (and beyond) to make the deal happen.’
‘Very competent and available team, with strong knowledge on their legal matters and also update on industry regulations. Very nice individuals.’
‘What we value the most in the Argo team is their reactivity, pragmatism, and speed of execution. Combined with the team’s down-to-earth culture, we feel that compared to other law practices, Argo is uniquely equipped to tackle negotiations and processes with SMEs.’
‘Louis Hoet is very approachable and hands-on. He is into the details on the transaction and very pragmatic in dealing with unforeseen circumstances.’
Key clients
Sofindev
Maxus Capital
Junction Growth Partners
Andera Partners
Heran Health Tech Fund
Waterland
Strada Partners
Vectis Private Equity
NPM Capital
Finco
Pentahold
Rivean Capital
Strada Capital
Bencis
Fortino Capital Partners
Gimv
Vendis Capital
Down2Earth Capital
We are Jane
Hummingbird Ventures
Work highlights
- Assisted the founders and other key managers of Amadys with their roll-over into ETC Group as part of the acquisition of Amadys by the latter.
- Assisted Sofindev Management with the incorporation of its sixth private equity fund, Sofindev VI, raising a total of €250m.
- Advised Andera Partners on its investment in Pauwels Consulting NV.
Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3
Noted in the market for its strong advice in connection with buy- and sell-side private equity transactions, ARGO Law also advises on a wide range of private and public corporate M&A. The team is capable of handling public takeovers, cross-border acquisitions and investments, and disposals in a wide variety of sectors and underscores these capabilities with in-house financing and commercial capabilities. The team is co-led by capital markets and private equity experts Nico Goossens and Kris Verdoodt as well as Bert Van Ingelghem, whose expertise spans public and private M&A. Louis Hoet is another key contact in the team.Practice head(s):
Nico Goossens; Kris Verdoodt; Bert Van Ingelghem
Other key lawyers:
Louis Hoet; Henri Nelen
Testimonials
‘The team takes a pragmatic approach, regardless of the complexity of the matter.’
‘Kris Verdoodt is very detailed but always impact-oriented.’
‘Very efficient, reliable and always available very competent with strong technical skills. A pleasure to work with them.’
‘Henri Nelen and Kris Verdoodt are very efficient, reliable and always available. Very competent with strong technical skills.’
‘The corporate team works very closely with the tax team, which allows them to deliver tailored services and advice. The team has an unparalleled experience in the setup of alternative investment funds in Belgium. ’
‘The Argo team was both very professional and agile in a complex and dynamic business context. Overall quality of the work done was excellent and very consistent throughout the whole team.’
‘Louis Hoet is very approachable and hands-on. He is into the details on the transaction and very pragmatic in dealing with unforeseen circumstances.’
Key clients
Waterland Private Equity Investments
Sofindev
Ardian Private Equity
Fortino Capital
Vendis Capital
Bencis Capital Partners
Vectis Private Equity
Baltisse
Strada Capital
3d Investors
Heran HealthTech Fund
Andera Partners
Rivean
Junction Growth Partners
Agri Investment Fund
Sam Baro
Telenet
VGP
CMB
Saverex
Exmar
Equine Care Group
DPG Media
Mitiska REIM
Dematra Group
Cortes Cigar Family
Trustteam
Pentahold
Tobania shareholders
Aedifica
WVT Industries
T&A Holding
Work highlights
- Advised Saverex on its voluntary and conditional takeover bid on Exmar.
- Assisted the shareholders of the Tobiana group with the sale of 100% of the shares in Tobania and Python Predictions to Sopra Steria.
- Assisted the founders and other key managers of Amadys with their roll-over into ETC Group as part of the acquisition of Amadys by the latter.
Belgium > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 4
ARGO Law is very active in acquisition finance, leveraging the firm's strong reputation in private equity matters to advise borrower-side funds as well as institutional lenders on a large volume of leveraged transactions. Refinancing is a further area of focus, and the team is additionally capable of advising on IPOs, public takeovers, and bond issuances. Nico Goossens is a key contact for capital markets work as well as public M&A matters and co-leads the team with Pieter Bogaerts, who focuses on private equity lending.Practice head(s):
Nico Goossens; Pieter Bogaerts
Other key lawyers:
Christophe Verhelst
Key clients
Bencis Capital Partners
Equine Care Group
Waterland Private Equity
Fortino Capital
Lizy
Dynamica
Strada Partners
ING Belgium
KBC Bank
D2E
Sofindev
VGP
Exmar
Saverex
Work highlights
- Advised Waterland Private Equity, the Asteria Group and an international consortium of bank and non-bank lenders on the refinancing of the Asteria Group.
- Advised Saverex on its voluntary and conditional €720m takeover bid for Exmar.
- Advised VGP NV on its €303m capital increase through a public rights offering.
Belgium > Tax Tier 4
The tax and private clients practice at ARGO Law divides its expertise between tax transactions, advisory, and litigation, and is commonly retained by private equity and venture funds, corporations, and medium- and large-sized private and family businesses. Corporate, M&A and capital markets transactions specialist Philippe Rens leads on the tax side, alongside Wouter Verhoeye, who joined the firm from Linklaters in March 2023. Estate planning expert Hannes Casier heads the private client practice.Practice head(s):
Philippe Rens; Wouter Verhoeye; Hannes Casier
Testimonials
‘Argo works in a very pragmatic, down-to-earth way with very good understanding of the local situation and with the same professionalism as the international law firms.’
‘It was a fantastic experience to work with Wouter Verhoeye as our attorney. He not only proved to be a master in his field but also demonstrated extraordinary dedication to his clients. Our case was exceedingly technical and complex, yet he managed to present this maze of details in a comprehensible and transparent manner to the ruling authority.’
‘Argo’s team is incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated. They provided expert legal guidance and helped me navigate a complex legal issue with ease. What impressed me most was their professionalism and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for their clients. They truly go above and beyond to deliver top-notch legal services.’
‘The team has an unparalleled knowledge of the Belgian tax landscape when it comes to alternative investment funds and corporate tax. They have a tremendous amount of experience and know exactly how to satisfy client needs.’
‘Philippe Rens has an amazing amount of experience and knowledge. Moreover he’s able to think commercially and puts himself in his client’s shoes, helping to think beyond the mere legal problem or question at hand.’
‘In working with Argo I experienced a unique blend of pragmatism, personalisation and professionalism. They love intellectual challenges and seek innovative solutions. During the process they make sure as a client you feel understood and supported. They create an atmosphere where you feel not only heard but valued.’
‘The services and accessibility were very good. The cooperation was excellent. Facts and circumstances were accurately recorded, presented and solutions developed. Complicated tax requirements were broken down and presented in a targeted manner. The theoretical as well as practical structure of the tax opinions was thus very usable for foreign legal practitioners.’
‘We greatly appreciated Wouter Verhoeye’s goal-oriented and thoroughly honest approach. Approaches to solutions were identified in a practice-oriented manner. He was available at all times and responded at short notice. The adherence to deadlines was extraordinary.’
Key clients
ArcelorMittal Belgium
NXC Corporation (NXMH)
Südzucker AG (Tiense Suikerraffinaderij NV)
Work highlights
- Advised ArcelorMittal Belgium with the strategic and tax technical R&D incentives in relation to its €1.6bn investment in decarbonisation technologies at its flagship Gent plant.
- Represented various clients in the proceedings before the Constitutional Court in relation to the newly introduced copyright tax regime.
- Advised Hummingbird Ventures Management with the set-up and structuring of their latest venture capital fund Hummingbird Ventures V.
Belgium > EU regulatory: Financial services
ARGO Law > Firm Profile
Argo is a fully integrated transaction and advisory boutique offering transactional support including assistance on tax structuring and financing, as well as procedural support, with a team of 56 lawyers.
Since its establishment in 2013, Argo became very well reputed in the Belgian market for the in-depth knowledge of the private equity industry of its corporate team, as well their extensive experience in M&A (both public and private) and capital markets work (IPO, debt and equity offerings and public takeover bids). Argo’s tax team has a vast experience in assisting private equity and other investment funds in their structuring, regulatory matters and management investment schemes, next to general corporate tax advice and tax aspects of corporate transactions. With its banking and finance team, the firm brings, among others, extensive experience in debt finance transactions, asset-backed finance schemes, insolvency and financial regulatory work. Furthermore, Argo has a highly appreciated dispute resolution team, handling litigation and (international) arbitration cases primarily focused on financial law matters, corporate claims and commercial matters. The practice has special expertise representing clients in post-acquisition disputes and shareholder conflicts, insolvency litigation, contract disputes and private enforcement claims. Argo’s private clients practice advises on the optimal planning, structuring and management of their clients’ wealth, covering both domestic and cross-border matters.
Offering a one stop shop for investments, sales of enterprises, tax structuring, private wealth planning as well as litigation and arbitration, Argo’s offering is unique in the Belgian market.
Argo’s clients include private equity funds and managers, listed and privately held companies, financial institutions and private clients.
The firm’s style is pragmatic, down to earth and personal, bringing excelling service and value. Intellectual challenges, the ability to bring added value and fulfilling human connections are at Argo’s core.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Corporate M&A | Bert Van Ingelghem | bert.van.ingelghem@argo-law.be | +32 3 206 85 30 |
Commercial, Corporate M&A | Nico Goossens | nico.goossens@argo-law.be | +32 3 206 85 30 |
Corporate M&A | Kris Verdoodt | kris.verdoodt@argo-law.be | +32 3 206 85 30 |
Tax and Fund Structuring | Philippe Rens | philippe.rens@argo-law.be | +32 3 206 85 30 |
Private Clients | Hannes Casier | hannes.casier@argo-law.be | +32 3 206 85 30 |
Banking, Finance & Insolvency | Pieter Bogaerts | pieter.bogaerts@argo-law.be | +32 3 206 85 30 |
Dispute Resolution | Emilie Ooms | emilie.ooms@argo-law.be | +32 3 206 85 30 |
Fund Structuring | Freya Jorens | freya.jorens@argo-law.be | +32 3 206 85 30 |
Corporate M&A | Louis Hoet | louis.hoet@argo-law.be | +32 3 206 85 30 |
Dispute Resolutio | Jolien Loos | jolien.loos@argo-law.be | +32 3 206 85 30 |
Corporate and Fund Structuring | Evelyn Van Raemdonck | evelyn.van.raemdonck@argo-law.be | +32 3 206 85 30 |
Corporate M&A | Henri Nelen | henri.nelen@argo-law.be | +32 3 206 85 30 |
Private Equity, Corporate M&A | Mattias Verbeeck | mattias.verbeeck@argo-law.be | +32 3 206 85 30 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mr Hannes Casier | Hannes Casier is head of Argo’s private client group. He advises high… | View Profile | |
Mr Nico Goossens | Nico Goossens is a Partner at Argo. Nico specializes in capital market… | View Profile | |
Mr Philippe Rens | Philippe Rens is a Partner at Argo. While his professional focus is… | View Profile | |
Mr Bert Van Ingelghem | Bert is the Managing Partner at Argo. His professional focus is on… | View Profile | |
Mr Kris Verdoodt | Kris is a Partner in Argo’s Corporate M&A practice group. He has… | View Profile |