Schoups > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile

Schoups
Rue de la Régence 58 b8
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Belgium > Real estate and construction Tier 2

The real estate and construction team at Schoups is ‘extremely dedicated, accurate, and to the point‘. A leading player in construction, the firm recently acted for Constructiebedrijf Ivens, the leading Belgium-based tank construction company, on a project in the state-of-the-art tank terminal in Rotterdam. Ewoud Willaert led that matter. ‘Accurate and sharp‘ practice head Marco Schoups and Els Op de Beeck are key figures in litigation, while Kris Lemmens for public procurement and PPP work and Maarten Somers for projects work are highly recommended.

Practice head(s):

Marco Schoups

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘This practice works with various disciplines. Each case is handled by a team, with regular consultation with the customer. This office has just moved. The layout of the building is with clear consideration given to places where people can work in silence, but also where consultation within a team/presentations are possible.’

‘Kris Lemmens and Marco Schoups know their subject inside and out. Maarten Somers and Arnaud Simar also give clear and interactive presentations in public law, which are very much appreciated by the project leaders.’

‘Very professional, always respecting deadlines. Clear timesheets and rates.’

‘They are very punctual they have a proactive approach they are very accurate they give free webinars and updates by mail they offer interesting honorary wage packages.’

‘The law firm is well known and respected for its skills in several domains. In particularly the public law and real estate team is extremely dedicated, accurate, to the point.’

‘Marco Schoups is an expert and can make things happen. His advice is always well funded accurate and sharp. As a result of that confidence in doing business is always present.’

‘What is unique about Schoups advocaten is the thoroughness with which they work. A question is always fully answered and this from all possible perspectives (arguments pro and contra). For us as a client, this means that we are never faced with surprises in a dispute after receiving advice from this firm. Moreover, I can see that in this office the mentality is very clearly present to approach each client cordially, but professionally. The threshold to seek advice is very low. Without any hesitation, members of this team will call me if I have a short question via email or LinkedIn. ’

‘Marco Schoups has to be the most brilliant mind I have come across. He is our top teacher: every class taught by him sells out. The reviews are always blazing. In addition, it is a pleasure to hear him argue in court. He knows the gift of the word and knows how to get the court’s attention on the crucial points of his story. His persuasiveness follows on the one hand from his knowledge and on the other from his calm and controlled way of speaking. Finally, you can tell that Marco loves his job. Whether as a lawyer, teacher or mediator, he fulfills each role with a positive energy that enthuses those around him.’

Key clients

BAM Contractors

Carrefour

CFE Bouw Vlaanderen

CFE Infra/Aannemingsmaatschappij CFE

Cordeel Zetel Temse and Cordeel Zetel Hoeselt

Fincimec

Galère

BAM Interbuild

Renotec

Vastint Belgium

Strabag

Hannover Leasing Investment

Besix

Belgium > Dispute resolution Tier 3

Schoups has a ‘proactive, diligent and creative team’, which acts in disputes across private construction, public procurement, real estate, and environmental law. Multijurisdictional disputes are also a strength of the practice, frequently representing high-profile clients across sectors. The leadership of the team includes Marco Schoups, Geert De Buyzer, Benjamin Marchandise and Kris Lemmens, among others.

Practice head(s):

Marco Schoups; Geert De Buyzer; Benjamin Marchandise; Kris Lemmens; Maarten Somers; Els Op de Beeck; Liesbeth Truyens

Testimonials

‘Proactive, diligent and creative team. Very knowledgeable and experienced.’

‘Marco Schoups is a very competent lawyer with a lot of expertise in real estate and construction. Respected in the market by all actors which helps in negotiations, charming person and good negotiator.’

‘Schoups brings forward thinking experience and professionalism to the table and applies a collaborative approach in its case-handling. The team is accessible and capable of handling complex legal problems.’

‘Maarten Somers: experienced, leadership and resourceful; Els Op de Beeck: organised, detail-oriented and collaborative.’

‘High level of client proximity with a close follow-up on the pending cases of both the senior associates as well as the partner working on the case. Good team work of those teams members that are involved in the matter. High response rate. Great experience with arbitration proceedings and large network of arbitrators to ensure a qualitative procedure always with the client’s interest at the forefront.’

‘Marco Schoups – The experience of this partner with arbitration proceedings and dispute proceedings in general is of great value for the clients. The partner knows the specifics and key elements of the matter very well, even for highly complex cases. High availability and response rate for clients.’

‘Geert De Buyzer has great experience with all types of dispute resolution and deep knowledge of the law. He is able to explain complex legal matters in a clear and understandable manner. He has excellent communication skills, both in written and verbal communication. He is willing to go the extra mile for his clients and able to think outside the box and provide creative and effective legal solutions to complex problems.’

‘Kris Lemmens is a true expert in his domain and is very approachable.’

Key clients

Carrefour

CFE Bouw Vlaanderen – MBG

CFE Infra / Aannemingsmaatschappij

Cordeel

Fincimec

Belgium > Environment Tier 3

The environment group at Schoups, led by experienced specialists Kristof Hectors and Charles Poncelet, chiefly advises on planning, permitting, compliance, and litigation matters. The firm 'stands out for its combination of legal acumen, client-focused approach, and technological innovation‘. Céline Bimbenet is a key advisor on expropriation law, and Roel Meeus is another key member of the team.

Practice head(s):

Kristof Hectors; Charles Poncelet

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Schoups is a very competent team with a lot of experience in both urban planning and environmental law. ’

‘Roel Meeus is an experienced lawyer with a very in-depth knowledge of Flemish environmental law and public law. Roel works quickly and precisely and is very accessible to local authorities.’

‘When compared to other firms in the field, Schoups consistently stands out for its combination of legal acumen, client-focused approach, and technological innovation. The firm’s dedication to staying at the forefront of legal advancements and its commitment to client success put it in a league of its own.’

‘When it comes to environment there are certain set of rules and regulations and it is something difficult for a business to understand and to see how this would practically work in reality. Schoups has a team that looks at the law and give you insights in how to run your business within the boundaries of the law. Very helpful and insightful. ’

‘Charles Poncelet stands out to me in sense that he is practical and rational when it comes to giving advice. He also went beyond expectations to have a meeting with decision makers at a conference in the field helping our case without being asked. ’

‘The team shows expertise and dedication in the files. They closely follow each step and accompany us through the all process.’

‘Charles Poncelet shows a pragmatical approach and understands quite well the client’s needs. He is able to find the right balance between legal security and risk, in order to achieve results.’

‘Charles Poncelet has been an exceptional asset for our company. He is well connected in his field and he goes the extra mile to give a complete answer to a legal problem.’

Key clients

Resolve

Atelier Romain

Vastint Belgium

SAR Benelux

Auto 1

ION

Renewi

Benechim

Ether Energy

Signify Netherlands

Luminus

Work highlights

  • Advised Resolve on contract and permitting work as well as litigation.
  • Assisted Atelier Romain with multi-disciplinary advisory work for regional and local authorities.
  • Advised Luminus on the preparation of permit applications for onshore wind farm projects and third-party appeals against permits allowing new wind farm projects.

Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4

Schoups is equally capable of advising on private equity deals and corporate M&A, with the team frequently drawing on cross-practice employment, commercial, and litigation capabilities to advise on real estate transactions, cross-border acquisitions and sales, restructuring initiatives, and joint ventures. A consortium of four lawyers head up the practice: Mathilde van der Stegen advises on M&A from Brussels, while Antwerp-based lawyers Stefaan Wauman, Christine Heeb and Gwen Bevers focus on corporate and private equity transactions as well as corporate restructuring.

Practice head(s):

Gwen Bevers; Christine Heeb; Stefaan Wauman; Mathilde van der Stegen

Other key lawyers:

Joost van Riel; Jesse Docx

Testimonials

‘They know their job and have good know-how.’

‘The team’s strength is being focused and sharp, steering a transaction process in the right direction. Always on the ball. Never losing sight of the client’s final objective.’

‘Gwen Bevers is smart, sharp and focused. Stefaan Wauman is smart, hands-on and knows how to translate difficult legal theory into easily understandable speak.’

‘ Flexible, fast, competent and humble lawyers.’

‘Stefaan Wauman is a very pragmatic lawyer trying to find a balance between essential elements in a transaction and secondary aspects.’

‘This practice handles cases in a very efficient manner and provides very focused and thoughtful feedback.’

‘Gwen Bevers is highly qualified in corporate legislation and is easily accessible. He will always act with the aim of coming to a deal instead of slowing down the deal.’

‘Gwen Bevers and Christine Heeb had an impressive grasp of the topics we addressed and were always prepared to give a fast service if needed.’

Key clients

Aertssen

Cordeel

Customs Support Group

Sitra

Colruyt

Credendo

Creafund

Alpina

Human8

Shoe Investments

Mentha Capital

BTV

Heylen Vastgoed

Vavato

Work highlights

  • Advised Aiden, a portfolio company of Mentha Capital, on various simultaneous add-on acquisitions in Belgium.
  • Advised the shareholders of Heylen Vastgoed on an investment by a prominent shareholder.
  • Advised Human8 on three different add-on acquisitions in five foreign jurisdictions and the ensuing reinvestments in the Belgian holding company.

Belgium > Employment

Schoups handles an increasing volume of contentious employment matters and enjoys close relationships with clients in the construction sector.

The firm: Founded in 1950, Schoups has continually grown sustainably through uncompromising quality and dedication. The firm has offices in Brussels and Antwerp and offers customised multidisciplinary and multilingual legal services to clients in the business world as an independent Belgian law firm. Its teams of specialists cover the main legal areas that are important for companies, with a strong focus on business law and on construction and real estate law. The lawyers at Schoups are knowledgeable, hands-on, pragmatic and solution-oriented. Schoups is known for its determined pursuit of the best solution, achieved through an attitude for creative and customised thinking.

Four overarching domains bring together the disciplines in which we are active: construction and real estate, business, public and social.

Construction and real estate law: As a leading player on the Belgian market in this field, Schoups has a vast knowledge and experience in assisting clients in all aspects of construction law, property related transactions and project development, both in an advisory role as in litigious matters. The team also frequently deals with international construction contracts, including FIDIC and NEC.

Business: Schoups provides high quality legal assistance on all aspects of corporate and commercial law, with a particular focus on corporate and M&A/private equity, corporate dispute resolution, distribution law, insolvency; compliance & trade and market practices.

Public procurement law and PPP:  Schoups assists clients in relation to PPP agreements (public private partnership) and public procurement contracts for works, supplies or services. It is a major player in these fields, with a particular deep expertise regarding complex public infrastructure works.

Social: Schoups assists clients with various aspects of individual and collective employment law, as well as social security law, accompaniment of social inspections, social obligations in construction and government personnel.

Department Name Email Telephone
Construction & Real Estate Marco Schoups
Construction & Real Estate Els Op de Beeck
Construction & Real Estate Ewoud Willaert
Public Kris Lemmens
Public Maarten Somers
Public Kristof Hectors
Business Gwen Bevers
Business Dave Mertens
Business Geert De Buyzer
Business Benjamin Marchandise
Business Stefaan Wauman
Business Christine Heeb
Photo Name Position Profile
Benjamin Marchandise photo Benjamin Marchandise Partner
Els Op de Beeck photo Els Op de Beeck Partner
Number of lawyers : 83
at this office : 25
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