DALDEWOLF > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile

DALDEWOLF Offices

DALDEWOLF
AVENUE LOUISE 81
1050 BRUSSELS
Belgium
Visit website 32 2 627 10 10 32 2 627 10 50

DALDEWOLF > The Legal 500 Rankings

Belgium > EU regulatory: Food Tier 1

DALDEWOLF has a strong record in  regulatory and consumer protection work within the food sector, advising food, feed, and beverage operators on market practices, advertising, intellectual property and data considerations, and distribution issues, alongside representing clients before domestic and European authorities in liability, DOP, and crisis management proceedings. The team is led by food law specialist Aude Mahy, who represents operators across the full range of matters, ranging from advisory and commercial issues through to litigation against regulatory authorities and before European courts.

Practice head(s):

Aude Mahy

Testimonials

‘Aude Mahy is very approachable and provides top notch advice. Not formalistic at all and also fun to work with. I can trust that my clients are in good hands with her.’

‘Great expertise, effective cooperation, team spirit. Thorough knowledge of all aspects of food regulation.’

‘Top experts, excellent soft skills, perfect combination of practical and theoretical knowledge. Very experienced, committed and hardworking.’

‘Aude Mahy is exceptional. Few lawyers are available in food and safety law with such a knowledge of the market.’

‘Aude Mahy is clear, precise and reactive. She always makes herself available to answer our urgent demands.’

‘Aude Mahy and her team have a dual expertise in EU regulatory and Belgian law. This is what makes the firm unique and special.’

‘Aude Mahy is very sharp and focused. She has a talent for raising the questions that should not be left behind.’

‘We worked primarily with Aude Mahy – she was incredibly insightful and collaborated as a true partner for navigating the Belgian authorities and providing feedback. Provided really expert guidance throughout and helped in navigating the authorities.’

Work highlights

  • Advising a Belgian retailer on the development and related risk assessment of an innovative marketing project consisting of ranking food categories and food products according to their environmental footprint.
  • Representing a German-based manufacturer of food supplements before FOD Public Health in proceedings relating to the classification of a product containing the word “Regeneration” in its name.
  • Representing a market leader and international conservation specialist in the seafood industry, in a dispute with the Belgian Food Safety Agency regarding the legality of a cold smoking treatment process in tuna.

Belgium > Industry focus: Food Tier 1

DALDEWOLF fields one of the strongest and most widely regarded practices in the Belgian market. Working across the full gamut of food and feed law, the 'extremely knowledgeable and insightful' team is noted for the depth of its expertise in regulatory and contentious matters, advising a sizeable roster of clients on consumer law, market practices, contractual issues, distribution chains and proceedings before various relevant authorities. The 'authoritative' Aude Mahy is highly regarded for her extensive knowledge of food law - both domestically and at an EU-level - and her capabilities in court, representing clients in matters ranging from nutrition claims to supply chain liability issues and crisis management.

Practice head(s):

Aude Mahy

Testimonials

‘Completely up to speed regarding the latest developments in food law. Very nice series of webinars during the pandemic.’

‘Audy Mahy is an authority when it comes to EU food law and its national implementation. She also understands very well the challenges of various food business operators and knows how to best assist them.’

‘Skilled and result-oriented team. Available, responsive and proactive members.’

‘Aude Mahy is an excellent lawyer with huge experience in the field of EU food law. Brilliant expert in legal training, fast-thinking, innovative and easy going.’

‘Aude Mahy has been in the food law community for more than 10 years. Her team at Daldewolf have a unique capability when it comes to handling complex Belgian matters. They can provide 360-degree legal advice and representation relating to any food law matter involving the Belgian market.’

‘Aude Mahy is extremely talented. She has a deep knowledge of EU food law and Belgian national laws.’

‘Extremely knowledgeable and insightful in specialty food area – in particular FSMP – in both Europe and Belgium.’

‘We worked primarily with Aude Mahy – her guidance and insights were extremely useful and helped us to establish the products on the market in Belgium. We would not have been successful without her guidance.’

Work highlights

  • Assisting a leading Belgian retailer in the development and related risk assessment of an innovative marketing project consisting of ranking food categories and food products according to their environmental footprint (‘Eco-score’).
  • Representing a German-based manufacturer of food supplements in a litigation with the Belgian authority FOD Public Health about the classification of a product containing the word “Regeneration” in its name: food supplement vs medicinal product.
  • Assisting a market leader and international conservation specialist in the seafood industry in a dispute with the Belgian Food Safety Agency regarding the legality of a cold smoking treatment process in tuna.

Belgium > Industry focus: IT and telecoms Tier 4

The technology and communications team at Bird & Bird has a strong bench of talent and breadth of expertise that ensures a regular flow of instructions from various high-profile tech and telecoms players. The practice is adept in a range of commercial and contentious matters, including consortium agreements, joint ventures, and public procurement contracts. Working closely with the firm’s competition law team, Hein Hobbelen regularly advises major telecoms companies on state aid, and in proceedings before the European and Belgian courts. Benoit Van Asbroeck‘s experience encompasses CJEU procedures and landmark legislative processes. Pierre Hechtermans and Simon Mortier are also noted. Olivier Bertin was a new arrival in November 2022 from Daldewolf.DALDEWOLF works with a diverse roster of high-profile corporate clients who operate across the worlds of IT and telecoms, both domestically and internationally. Recent engagements for the team include a host of litigious proceedings and pre-litigation advisory mandates for major European mobile operators and multinational consultancies, as well as licensing, GDPR, and personal data advisory issues. Dominique Bogaert is the key names to note within the practice, with Bogaert focusing chiefly on commercial contract matters and cross-border work with a strong Italian aspect. Bertin, meanwhile, is noted for his broad knowledge of tax law. Since publication, Olivier Bertin left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Benoit Van Asbroeck; Hein Hobbelen

Other key lawyers:

Pierre Hechtermans; Simon Mortier; Olivier Bertin

Key clients

European Commission

Digital Europe

Bite Lietuva UAB

Work highlights

  • Participating in three European Commission funded research projects under the Horizon 2020 programme, including LeMO (Leveraging Big Data to Manage Transport Operations), SMART-BEAR (Smart Big Data Platform to Offer Evidence-based Personalised Support for Healthy and Independent Living at Home) and THREAT-ARREST (Cyber Security Threats and Threat Actors Training – Assurance Driven MultiLayer, end-to-end Simulation and Training).
  • Selected by Digital Europe to provide a monitoring/implementation & compliance service covering EU Member States’ implementation of the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) for the span of over 18 months and beyond as of January 2020.

Practice head(s):

Dominique Bogaert

Belgium > Intellectual property Tier 4

DALDEWOLF works with a diverse roster of high-profile corporate clients who operate across the worlds of IT and telecoms, both domestically and internationally. Recent engagements for the team include a host of litigious proceedings and pre-litigation advisory mandates for major European mobile operators and multinational consultancies, as well as licensing, GDPR, and personal data advisory issues. Dominique BOGAERT  is the key names to note within the practice, with Bogaert focusing chiefly on commercial contract matters and cross-border work with a strong Italian aspect. Bertin, meanwhile, is noted for his broad knowledge of tax law. Pierre Goffinet and Sari Depreeuw have since left the practice. Since publication, Olivier Bertin also left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Dominique Bogaert

Belgium > Tax Tier 4

DALDEWOLF > Firm Profile

DALDEWOLF is an independent premium business law firm based in Brussels, with strong international ties. Over 40 lawyers provide a national and international client base with sensible, value-added and quality legal services in targeted areas of business law. The firm has a branch in Kinshasa (DRC) and has developed strong relationships with high quality law firms throughout Europe, Africa, Asia. It is actively involved in international networks, in particular GGI (Geneva Group International), an international alliance of prominent law firms, accountancy and consultancy firms.

DALDEWOLF is organised in expert teams. It strives to achieve the highest legal standards within each team (several partners are university professors or hold time positions as judges and our lawyers regularly contribute to specialised law journals and seminars), while eliciting thorough understanding of the business needs of our clients. Many of our lawyers have specific experience acting as counsel or director in various institutions and companies.

Dispute resolution: DALDEWOLF has a high-standing reputation for assisting its clients in complex litigation. The firm’s partners frequently act as counsel or arbitrators in national and international arbitral proceedings (CEPANI, ICC, UNCITRAL and ad hoc). The firm has also always been at the forefront of developments of ADR, both in Belgium and in cross-border disputes.

Corporate: The firm’s corporate team is vastly experienced in M&A and restructuring. Its corporate lawyers assist and conduct due diligence investigations, negotiating and drafting legal documents such as share purchase agreements, shareholders and subscription agreements, options on shares and all financial documents required.

Commercial: DALDEWOLF offers a full range of services in business law, advising, negotiating and drafting contracts. The firm has a specific expertise in the field of commercial intermediation (distribution, agency, franchising) and fair market practices. It assists companies in complying with the regulatory aspects linked to their activity (food law, medical devices, travel agencies, aesthetic care, etc.).

European Law: The firm’s European Law team handles European Union law and regulatory cases (disputes before the authorities and the courts). DALDEWOLF assists clients facing investigations, as well as with audits and compliance programmes. The lawyers have also developed a strong State aid practice, whereby they help clients restoring a level playing field when competition has been distorted by public intervention, before the European Commission, the national and the EU Courts. DALDEWOLF further assists clients securing their public funding. The lawyers also handle single market issues.

Public law: The team combines experience in various areas of public economic law giving it a unique expertise of public law matters, in advising and representing clients before administrative authorities or courts in Belgium and at EU level: public procurement, PPPs, restructuring of public entities, legality of royal decrees, constitutionality, etc.

Tax: DALDEWOLF’s tax department offers a wide range of services covering all branches of tax law, including corporate and individual income taxes, VAT, registration duties and inheritance taxes, local taxes – including gaming taxes – and customs duties. The firm’s tax team is especially recognised for its technical skills and expertise in VAT and its experience in tax matter disputes. The team also represents taxpayers in disputes with the tax authorities at all stages of administrative and legal proceedings (including proceedings before the Council of State, the Constitutional Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union).

Real estate: DALDEWOLF has developed a strong experience in construction and engineering projects (turnkey, office, industrial, residential, multipurpose projects, etc.). It also advises clients on matters such as leases and other occupation rights (long-term lease, right to build, concession, etc.). The real estate team can further assist clients in the negotiation, preparation and execution of sales and acquisitions of real estate properties, focusing on the contractual framework which is the most convenient and appropriate: asset and share deals, sale and lease back operations.

OHADA desk: DALDEWOLF has a recognised expertise on the African legal markets with an office in Kinshasa (DRC).

China desk: DALDEWOLF supports its Chinese clients with their legal issues in Belgium and helps Belgian clients to benefit from the many opportunities China has to offer while tackling the risks that go along. The firm’s lawyers negotiate complex contracts and provide strategic advice on how to best deal with opportunities and challenges in China.

Italian desk: Thanks to the language skills of some of its partners, DALDEWOLF also frequently is involved in out- and inbound work relating to trade and business between Belgian and Italian companies.

US desk: DALDEWOLF frequently works for US clients and with US law firms. Several partners graduated from major US law schools (Duke, NYU) and worked for US firms. Three lawyers of the firm are members of the New York bar. Thanks to this US background, DALDEWOLF assists its US clients in the most efficient manner.

Startitup: The firm assists start-ups and scale-ups, covering all aspects of the life of a company (from incorporation to capital raising, business contracts, IP as well as informatics law and tax law issues).

Main Contacts

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Corporate and Finance Law Patrick DE WOLFpdw@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
Corporate and Financial Law Romain BATTAJONrob@daldewolf.com+243 851 432 965
Tax Law Olivier BERTINobe@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
Economic Law Dominique BOGAERTdbo@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
European Law Thierry BONTINCKtbo@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
Construction and Real Estate Law Frédéric COUVREURfco@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation Marc DALmd@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
Corporate and Finance Law Laetitia DE SMETlads@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
Insolvency and restructuring Raphaël GEVERSrge@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
European Law Anais GUILLERMEagu@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
Food Law Aude MAHYama@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
Tax Law Yaël SPIEGLysp@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
Corporate and Finance Law Fabian TCHÉKÉMIANftc@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
Corporate and Finance Law Xavier VAN der MERSCHxvdm@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
Administrative and Public Law Emmanuel van NUFFEL d'HEYNSBROECKevn@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation Georges-Albert DALgad@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
Labour Law Robert DE BAERDEMAEKERrdb@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10
Litigation, Arbitration & Mediation Patrick VAN LEYNSEELEpvl@daldewolf.com+32 2 627 10 10

Staff Figures

Number of lawyers : 40
at this office : 32

Languages

Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Lingala
Spanish
Swahili
Armenian

Memberships

The Geneva Group International Network (GGI)

Other

Other offices : Kinshasa