Hogan Lovells International LLP > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile
Hogan Lovells International LLP Offices
Rue Belliard 9
Brussels 1040
Belgium
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Hogan Lovells International LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Belgium > EU regulatory: Food Tier 1
The world’s best known food and beverage producers, manufacturers, and retailers form the core of Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s client base, which also includes start-ups, trade associations and non-profits. The team has deep knowledge of issues affecting every stage of the production and distribution cycle, and is consequently well placed to navigate complex compliance matters, as well as dealing with crisis management, including product recalls. Senior EU regulatory affairs advisor Jacqueline Mailly is the key contact.Practice head(s):
Jacqueline Mailly
Testimonials
‘Hogan Lovells’ Belgian European Regulatory practice is unique for me in regards to how close they stay with the client and work with us to solve issues and remove barriers for the success of the project. For that, they have shown great creativity and flexibility.‘
‘Very competent team for Brexit related problems, with good relations with authorities in the United Kingdom and the European Union.‘
‘Can provide very throrough analysis on a very difficult topic.‘
‘The regulatory/food practice at Hogan Lovells Brussels has a unique expertise in EU food and feed safety regulatory area, from a legal and policy perspective, and coupled with deep business acumen. Easy to work with, approachable and responsive and very professional.‘
‘The team are very responsive and quick to jump on calls to discuss urgent issues that arise. They provide practical advice and are proactive in looking for solutions to issues.‘
‘Jacqueline Mailly is our go-to regulatory expert. I have worked with some others in the past, but Jacqueline is the most committed, knowledgeable and experienced regulatory expert I know. Plus, she’s very client focused, and a savvy business partner. Would recommend her anytime for food law regulatory issues.‘
Key clients
Partnerships for Forests
Coopcerrado
Work highlights
- Advising new clients Partnerships for Forests (NGO) and Coopcerrado, a group of Brazilian agricultural cooperatives, on the EU and UK authorisation process for a novel traditional food.
- Representing an EU food/pharma ingredients manufacturer in negotiations at EU, national and UK level, seeking appropriate language to be included in newly introduced UK health certificates in order to ensure continued trade of this key food and pharma ingredient to the UK post-Brexit.
- Advised a major international food manufacturer regarding an alleged false health claim and coordinated communication with the national food safety agency in order to ensure proper interpretation and follow through to avoid the food being pulled from the market.
Belgium > EU regulatory: Financial services Tier 2
Hogan Lovells International LLP is highly regarded for its ability to ‘look for solutions that are practical and commercially feasible, but nevertheless robust.’ Regulatory advice provided by the firm ranges from governance matters, to MiFID and MiFIR issues. Recently, the team has been significantly more active in the ESG and fintech spaces. Philip Van Steenwinkel and senior associate Charles-Henri Bernard form an ‘exceptional’ duo, regularly working in tandem to assist banking groups and insurance companies, as well as payment and e-money institutions. Ivan Peeters is another key senior contact.Practice head(s):
Philip Van Steenwinkel; Ivan Peeters
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The expertise, availability and pragmatism of Hogan Lovells (and more especially Charles-Henri Bernard and Philip Van Steenwinkel) are exceptional.’
‘They have a very specific place on the market because of the very close and good contact with the regulators.’
‘Both Charles-Henri Bernard and Philip Van Steenwinkel are open for discussions and not purely dedicated to the “billing” aspect. They will first take the time to understand the issue and give a global opinion. This approach achieves a very interesting level of quality, thanks to a specific focus on the underlying technical issue.’
‘The team is very strong. They know the local market very well and always look for solutions that are practical and commercially feasible, but nevertheless robust. Even though the Belgian team is still relatively small in size, the breadth of the Hogan Lovells international network backing allows them to source know-how efficiently and support us on a broad range of topics.’
‘The team is very close to its clients. Philip Van Steenwinkel and Charles-Henri Bernard are easily reachable and truly invest in the relationship. They not only bring the quality you expect from a top-notch firm like Hogan Lovells, but they are also keen to truly support your business on a daily basis.’
Key clients
ABN Amro
Advanzia Bank
Aion Bank
Alter Domus LLC
Amazon
Amazon Pay (Amazon Payment Europe)
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals
Argenta Bank
Azerion Group BV
Bank Delen
Bank of New York Mellon
Baring Asset Management
Belfius Bank
Bitstamp
BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas Fortis
Buy Way
Capfi Delen Asset Management
Communauté française de Belgique
Coöperative Rabobank UA
Crédit Agricole Corporate Investment Bank
Euroclear
Euroclear Bank
EuropAssistance
Goldman Sachs
His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT)
ING Bank
ING Belgium
Investec Bank Plc
KBC Bank
Lease Plan
Lufthansa
M&G Residential Fund
Morgan Stanley
National Australia Bank Ltd
Patronale Life
Prudential
SFAM Assurance / Indexia
Single Resolution Board
Société Générale
Sompo Insurance
TowerBrook Capital Partners
Volkswagen Financial Services
Western Union
Wise (formerly Transferwise)
Belgium > EU regulatory: Pharma, medical devices and biotech Tier 2
Noted for its ‘outstanding experience and collaborative and practical approach‘, the multidisciplinary life sciences and healthcare group at Hogan Lovells International LLP is well placed to handle IP, product liability, regulatory, transactional and data protection issues. Fabien Roy ‘stands out across the region for his expertise and reliable advice‘; he oversees the Brussels-based offering, regularly collaborating with his counterparts across Europe to offer clients cross-border assistance. Cláudia Mendes Pinto is another key team member.Practice head(s):
Fabien Roy
Other key lawyers:
Cláudia Mendes Pinto; Hélène Boland
Testimonials
‘This practice is extremely collaborative and efficient in gathering information and providing helpful and practical advice for us. Their portal helps us keep our information together and we can collaborate well using this method.’
‘Fabien Roy and Hélène Boland provide great value for our company. Hélène is resourceful and works with colleagues in a cost effective manner. They provide a holistic approach to our business and consider our goals and objectives. They are an extension of our business and not just a service provider.’
‘What made the difference for us is that Hogan Lovells has always ensured they get a deep understanding of our relevant products and associated business processes, which allows them to provide very specialised and to the point advice, with a very business-orientated mindset. They have also taken on a coordinating role when we require advice touching upon different markets.’
‘Fabien Roy provides very specialised and business-orientated advice. We especially appreciate that he puts himself in the shoes of in-house counsel to anticipate our needs.’
‘HL International has a great asset of experts in different fields that makes their advice usually very useful. They show a genuine interest in getting to know your company, products and the problems you are facing, so that they are able to offer the best service possible. They possess a very good knowledge of the intricacies of the current regulatory landscape in the EU and guide you through those very effectively.’
‘Fabien Roy is always available for a chat; he gets knowledgeable about your difficulties and follows up closely on his commitments. He is very interested in getting up to speed with current developments on the new regulations framework and I have even coincided with him in seminars and congresses he is attending either as a participant or as a speaker.’
‘The team is particularly strong in pharma regulatory and biotech. They have outstanding experience and collaborative and practical approach. The lawyers are very skilled, knowledgeable, extremely efficient and absolutely pleasant to work with. There isn’t a topic that they would not be able to handle and keep the top standard.’
‘Fabien Roy stands out across the region for his expertise and reliable advice. His interest in life sciences and a good sense for practical solutions makes it a pleasure to work with him! Open-minded, enthusiastic and responsive. His team is great too!’
Key clients
Adverum Biotechnologies
Balt USA, LLC
Bracco Imaging
Celgene Corporation
Colospan Ltd.
Dexcom, Inc.
Establishment Labs
i-SEP
Synapse Biomedical, Inc.
Work highlights
- Assisting clinical-stage gene therapy company Adverum Biotechnologies with setting up a GDPR compliant framework for its upcoming clinical trials in the EU and UK.
- Assisting Celgene on an ongoing basis with supply chain, manufacturing and clinical trials regulatory aspects throughout Europe concerning its authorised and investigational Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products.
- Providing Dexcom with ongoing global regulatory assistance concerning its continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems.
Belgium > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 3
Hogan Lovells International LLP is noted for its securitisation expertise and its ‘in-depth knowledge of complicated financial transactions‘, allowing the team to advise large international banking clients as well as global corporate entities across a wide range of matters. The practice also actively advises clients on debt issuances and covered bond programs, and it is additionally capable of handling complex cross-border financings, including syndicated arrangements and mezzanine loans. Ivan Peeters, who takes the lead on securitisation work and is also a key contact for financial regulatory matters, co-leads the team with transactional finance expert Philip Van Steenwinkel. Regulatory expert Charles-Henri Bernard is also a key contact.Practice head(s):
Ivan Peeters; Philip Van Steenwinkel
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Unique experience in banking and financial law matters. Exceptional knowledge of clients.’
‘Partner Philip Van Steenwinkel is exceptionally qualified. He is sharp, a quick thinker and has unrivalled market experience.’
‘The team has an in-depth knowledge of complicated financial transactions. Very experienced and knowledgeable’
‘Ivan Peeters is an authority in securitization. Philip Van Steenwinkel has a broad knowledge of financial transactions. They handle complex matters in a hands-on manner.’
‘Pragmatic and commercial.’
‘The team combines a technical knowledge which is unique on the Belgian market with a pragmatic, hands-on approach. They exceed the standard threshold of a reliable lawyer and are always looking for opportunities to better service their clients and ensuring a solution is found even for extreme complex solutions.’
‘Ivan Peeters: Always a pleasure to work with. His experience is unmatched. Charles-Henri Bernard: Upcoming talent. Learned from the best and that is clear when working with him. Strong technical knowledge and always keeping the client’s objectives and framework in mind when looking for a solution.’
Key clients
ABN Amro
Advanzia Bank
Aion Bank
Alter Domus LLC
Amazon
Amazon Pay
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals
Argenta Bank
Azerion Group BV
Bank Delen
Bank of New York Mellon
Baring Asset Management
Belfius Bank
Bitstamp
BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas Fortis
Buy Way
Capfi Delen Asset Management
Communauté française de Belgique
Coöperative Rabobank UA
Crédit Agricole Corporate Investment Bank
Euroclear
Euroclear Bank
EuropAssistance
Goldman Sachs
His Majesty’s Treasury
ING Bank
ING Belgium
Investec Bank Plc
KBC Bank
Lease Plan
Lufthansa
M&G Residential Fund
Morgan Stanley
National Australia Bank Ltd
Patronale Life
Prudential
SFAM Assurance
Indexia
Single Resolution Board
Société Générale
Sompo Insurance
TowerBrook Capital Partners
Volkswagen Financial Services
Western Union
Wise
Work highlights
- Assisted Volkswagen D’Ieteren Finance SA with the setup of its inaugural €1bn master platform for the securitisation of auto loans.
- Assisted KBC Bank with the annual updates of its €17.5bn Residential Covered Bonds Programme.
- Assisted Lenwood as mezzanine lender to a Belgian real estate SPV owning and willing to redevelop the Omega Court building for €31m.
Belgium > Customs, trade, WTO and anti-dumping Tier 3
Hogan Lovells International LLP's trade and investment team frequently collaborates with the firm's global offices to advise on a range of multi-jurisdictional sanctions and trade defence matters. The team maintains a client base of leading multinationals in the pharma, financial services, and steel sectors and is very active in providing due diligence advice on EU sanctions and investment control matters, while also representing clients in a number of EU anti-subsidy investigations. Lourdes Catrain, who leads the Belgian team, is an expert on international trade and sanctions matters and regularly advises on the trade and investment compliance aspects of cross-border M&A.Practice head(s):
Lourdes Catrain
Other key lawyers:
Falk Schöning
Testimonials
‘Hogan Lovells stands out for its expertise in customs and trade matters due to its global network of specialized lawyers, deep industry knowledge, and strategic approach to international trade law. Compared to other firms, it often emphasizes collaboration across jurisdictions and provides comprehensive legal solutions tailored to clients’ needs, combining regulatory insight with practical trade experience for effective representation in international trade disputes and compliance matters.’
‘Quick reaction times. Furthermore, the team proactively includes other Hogan Lovells offices worldwide in order to expand their expertise for the question.’
‘Clear and distinct answers. Really quick reaction times.’
‘The team is very responsive and reliable. Changes in the team are announced in advance and I feel that the quality of support remains at high level at all times. I am confident that no stone was left unturned when I receive advice from the team. ’
‘Hogan Lovells lawyers possess an exceptional legal acumen, extensive experience, and a client-centric approach. They stand out by possessing a deep understanding of global trade laws and regulations, combined with a proactive and strategic mindset. Moreover, their collaborative and interdisciplinary approach ensures clients benefit from a diverse range of perspectives and expertise.’
‘Lourdes Catrain understands business needs and provides tailor-made advice. She is able to grasp the unique concerns of the industry and provide straightforward answers to particular legal questions. The wording of her advice is very clear and comprehensive. ’
Key clients
Columbus Stainless PTY Ltd.
Companhia Nacional Siderurgica
Musim Mas
Windar Renovables SA
Pfizer
Valero
Work highlights
- Advised Valero on the UK transition reviews of the EU anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on imports of biodiesel from the U.S. and Canada.
- Represented Musim Mas in an EU anti-subsidy investigation into imports of fatty acids from Indonesia, resulting in the termination of the investigation without anti-subsidy measures.
Belgium > Competition: EU and global Tier 4
The team at Hogan Lovells International LLP brings a strong technology sector focus to its competition work, regularly advising major players from the industry on merger control issues, as well as handling investigations and litigation. Office managing partner Christopher Thomas is supported by transactional expert Falk Schöning and 'outstanding' senior practitioner Michel Struys. Counsel Francesco Pili is another key name.Practice head(s):
Christopher Thomas
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Strong both in merger control and behavioural matters.’
‘Falk Schöning is very experienced and a creative mind when looking for pragmatic solutions.’
‘Christopher Thomas stands out for his insight, business sense and thoughtfulness in identifying the risk and trying to quantify the same for the client’s evaluation.’
‘Michel Struys has outstanding experience in EU competition law.’
‘Outstanding expertise in EU competition law. Excellent understanding of a global corporation’s business needs and interests. Strong ability to understand and consider complex technical processes and digital issues.’
‘They are highly responsive and it is a pleasure to be working with them.’
Key clients
AVDA
Engie
Huhtamäki
IBM
ORLEN
Samsung
Thales
Unilever
Work highlights
- Representing Google in the CMA’s Privacy Sandbox case.
- Representing Engie in the appeal of a European Commission state aid decision and Huhtamäki in a European Commission state aid investigation.
Germany > Antitrust
Hogan Lovells International LLP antitrust law team impresses with expertise in merger control, which is routinely drawn upon in the course of cross-border transactions. Among the key contacts here are Martin Sura and Christoph Wünschmann, who are experienced in the automotive, consumer goods and insurance sectors; Wünschmann has additional expertise in antitrust law-related contract drafting. Other mainstays are ongoing antitrust advice as well as cartel proceedings, including cartel damages and disputes. Recent instructions include the support in technology-related mandates (10th GWB amendment/19a and in the context of the DMA) as well as in compliance and ESG-related matters. Practice head Marc Schweda is well versed in public procurement and EU state aid law, while investment control is a key competency of Falk Schöning, who divides his time between Berlin and Brussels.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Marc Schweda is very familiar with our industry, having worked for us for longer than our in-house legal team. He thinks for himself and always has a cooperative attitude.’
‘The team is very professional and has deep knowledge of the industry. Due to the size of the team, even extensive mandates can be handled at short notice. The collaboration runs smoothly and flexibly. The billing is transparent.’
‘Hogan Lovells Germany has a great competition law team. Very professional and competent. On-time delivery and tailored advice.’
‘Christoph Wünschmann and Johanna Brock-Wenzek: Technically excellent, extremely deep in the subject matter and has a good strategic overview. The collaboration is extremely professional and pleasant.’
‘Very competent team that adapts flexibly to given requirements. Innovative in alternative fee arrangements for long-standing clients.’
‘Jan-Christoph Rudowicz: A highly qualified antitrust lawyer. His ability to apply competition law to complex commercial situations (where legislation does not yet exist) is exceptional. A great sparring partner for an in-house antitrust lawyer.’
Key clients
ADVA
Autobahn Tank & Rast
Banijay Germany GmbH
BMW
Catena-X
Chubu
Cofinity-X
Daiichi Sankyo Europe SE
DCS
Digital Charging Solutions
EB-SIM
Flixbus
Global Savings Group GmbH
Hannover Leasing
Hitachi Energy
Helsing
ib vogt
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM Corporation)
KIRKBI Invest A/S und William Demant Invest A/S
Korean Air
Lockheed Martin
Lürssen
Maguar Capital Savings Group
MSD Partners
M+W / Exyte
Royal Terberg Group B.V.
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc.
Thalia
Telit IOT Ltd.
Volkswagen Financial Services AG
YourNow Holding
Work highlights
- Representing Google in cartel damages compensation claims in connection with the EU Commission’s Google Shopping decision.
- Antitrust advice to BASF, BMW Group, Henkel, Mercedes-Benz, SAP, Schaeffler, Siemens, T-Systems, Volkswagen and ZF on the establishment of the Cofinity-X joint venture.
- Advising Autobahn Tank & Rast in connection with the development of fast charging infrastructure at service stations on German motorways in accordance with the new fast charging law.
Germany > Trade and distribution > Foreign trade law
Hogan Lovells International LLP's strategic operations, agreements and regulation practice routinely handles investment control matters with a focus on compliance. Clients from the regulated industries such as TMT and defense instruct the team on the implementation of compliance systems as well as investment control. Thanks to the cross-location cooperation, the team assists with sanctions and planned exits from Russia. Here, the export and investment control lawyer Falk Schöning is a key contact; he jointly leads the team with supply chain expert Florian Unseld and regulatory specialist Patrick Ayad. Senior associate Stefan Kirwitzke complements this with antitrust law expertise.Practice head(s):
Falk Schöning; Patrick Ayad; Florian Unseld
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
ADVA
AtlasEdge
Borromin Capital
Helsing
Lockheed Martin
Maguar Capital
Motel One
PTC Inc.
Sicoya
Svevind
Work highlights
- Advising ADVA on investment control proceedings regarding the planned transatlantic merger with Adtran (USA), including negotiation of a public law contract.
- Advising Lockheed Martin on the Bundeswehr Procurement Office’s (BAIINBw) procurement project for the heavy transport helicopter (STH), including representation in the award review process and before the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court.
Hogan Lovells International LLP > Firm Profile
The firm: Change is happening faster than ever, and legal challenges come from all directions. To stay ahead, organisations need to anticipate what’s next. Hogan Lovells understands this and works together with its clients to solve the toughest legal issues in major industries and commercial centres around the world. With 2,500 lawyers on six continents, Hogan Lovells offers extensive experience and insights gained from working in some of the world’s most complex legal environments and markets for corporations, financial institutions and governments. The firm provides practical legal solutions that help clients identify and mitigate risk and make the most of opportunities.
Whether a client is expanding into new markets, considering capital from new sources, or dealing with increasingly complex regulation or disputes, Hogan Lovells can help.
The firm’s lawyers are straight-talking. They understand and solve the problem before it becomes one. And they deliver clear and practical advice that gets the job done.
A fast-changing and interconnected world requires fresh thinking combined with proven experience. That’s what Hogan Lovells provides. Progress starts with ideas. And while imagination helps at every level, the firm’s legal solutions are aligned with each client’s business strategy. The firm’s experience in cross-border and emerging economies gives it the market perspective to be the global partner of choice for its clients. The team at Hogan Lovells brings a diverse variety of backgrounds and experience which delivers a broader perspective. This ultimately makes for more rounded thinking and better answers for clients. Giving back to communities and society is fundamental to good business. And, it’s part of the firm’s core. Everyone at Hogan Lovells is asked to volunteer at least 25 hours a year as part of their normal work duties.
Brussels office: As the key administrative and regulatory hub of the European Union, Brussels is a pivotal city for companies doing business in Europe. The firm knows that you face competition, trade and regulatory challenges. Hogan Lovells in Brussels has the answers. Its multidisciplinary, multilingual lawyers understand the inner workings of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council. They know the procedures and policy priorities at the European level inside and out. Their experience dealing with European Union institutions, national authorities and regulatory bodies means first-rate representation and favourable results for clients like you across a range of industries. Hogan Lovells Brussels also collaborates with other offices worldwide to make sure that you receive creative and practical legal advice.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Antitrust and competition | |||
Environment | |||
Health | |||
International trade and investment | |||
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology regulatory | |||
Public procurement | |||
Aerospace, defence and government service | |||
Automotive and mobility | |||
Consumer | |||
Energy and natural resources | |||
Insurance | |||
TMT | |||
Life sciences and healthcare |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Ms Lourdes Catrain | Partner | View Profile | |
Mrs Jacqueline Mailly | Widely recognised as a trusted adviser in EU food and biotechnology regulation,… | View Profile | |
Mr Hugo Paemen | Ambassador Hugo Paemen has been a key player in the European Union’s… | View Profile | |
Fabien Roy | Partner | View Profile | |
Dr Falk Schöning | Partner | View Profile | |
Christopher Thomas | Partner | View Profile | |
May Lyn Yuen | Partner | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 2,500+ at this office : 30+Languages
EnglishOther
Other offices : Alicante Other offices : Amsterdam Other offices : Baltimore Other offices : Beijing Other offices : Birmingham Other offices : Boston Other offices : Budapest* Other offices : Colorado Springs Other offices : Denver Other offices : Dubai Other offices : Dusseldorf Other offices : Frankfurt Other offices : Hamburg Other offices : Hanoi Other offices : Ho Chi Minh City Other offices : Hong Kong Other offices : Houston Other offices : Jakarta* Other offices : Johannesburg Other offices : London Other offices : Los Angeles Other offices : Louisville Other offices : Luxembourg Other offices : Madrid Other offices : Mexico City Other offices : Miami Other offices : Milan Other offices : Minneapolis Other offices : Monterrey Other offices : Moscow Other offices : Munich Other offices : New York Other offices : Northern Virginia Other offices : Paris Other offices : Perth Other offices : Philadelphia Other offices : Rio de Janeiro Other offices : Rome Other offices : San Francisco Other offices : São Paulo Other offices : Shanghai Other offices : Silicon Valley Other offices : Singapore Other offices : Sydney Other offices : Tokyo Other offices : Ulaanbaatar* Other offices : Warsaw Other offices : Washington DC Other offices : Zagreb*- EU regulatory: Food