Mr Arnaud Coibion > Linklaters > Brussels, Belgium > Lawyer Profile

Linklaters has ‘excellent experience in the Belgian energy market, including regulatory elements and PPA drafting‘, and advises on a growing portfolio of domestic and international matters in the energy sector. Global co-head of energy and utilities Arnaud Coibion is a key adviser on energy sector M&A, a recent example being his advice to Virya Energy on its €1.55bn sale to Parkwind. Lothar Van Driessche is sought after for advice on public law and regulatory matters. The firm also handles large project finance mandates.

With a large team capable of advising private and public clients on high-value and innovative M&A, often with cross-border elements, Linklaters maintains a significant market presence in the corporate space. In addition to its transactional expertise, the team also regularly provides regulatory, tax and employment advice in connection with demergers, corporate reorganizations, and joint ventures. Under the leadership of Arnaud Coibion, the practice maintains close relationships with reputed Belgian and foreign companies in the infrastructure, energy, and chemicals sectors, while also serving a growing number of private equity funds owing to the expertise of An-Sofie Van Hootegem and Evita Bassot. Further key names in the team include corporate finance expert Charles-Antoine Leunen, experienced cross-border M&A specialist Eric Pottier, and Filip Lecoutre, who is particularly noted for his public M&A work.

Linklaters displays a ‘thorough knowledge of PE and VC practices‘ and advises Benelux-based and large global funds throughout the lifecycle of investments. The team benefits from cross-border and cross-practice connections, which enable it to handle the tax, financing, and corporate structuring aspects of fund set-ups as well as acquisitions, investments, buy-and-build transactions, and exits. Practice head Arnaud Coibion is well-regarded for his ability to advise private funds on PIPE transactions as well as on complex dual-track exits. Further key contacts in the team include finance expert Charles-Antoine Leunen and cross-border M&A specialist An-Sofie Van Hootegem.

Linklaters continues to field a ‘standout team with deep knowledge of the market’ which acts for corporate and banking clients alike, handling matters ranging from debt and equity capital markets transactions to complex project and acquisition financings, as well as financial regulatory matters and distressed financings. The practice has a growing reputation for its ability to advise on sustainability-linked facilities and transactions, having assisted infrastructure and energy clients with green bond issuances and advised banks on their sustainability-linked loan programs. Practice head Arnaud Coibion is well-versed in handling financial transactions related to energy and infrastructure projects, while Charles-Antoine Leunen and Francis Wijnakker are particularly well-versed in investment-grade and leveraged financings. ESG experts Anne-Sophie Vankemmelbeke and David Ballegeer specialise in capital market transactions, as do Thierry L’Homme and Filip Lecoutre, who are particularly focused on handling IPOs.