Simmons & Simmons > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile

Simmons & Simmons > The Legal 500 Rankings

Belgium > EU regulatory: Pharma, medical devices and biotech Tier 2

Simmons & Simmons has ‘strong experience and knowledge in healthcare compliance regulations’ with vast regulatory expertise linked to medical devices, biopharmaceutical products, and advanced therapy medicinal products. The team is adept at handling cross-border work, and collaborates closely with other teams of the firm. Olivier Mignolet leads the ‘professional and proactive’ practice alongside Annabelle Bruyndonckx. Jérémie Doornaert is an ‘exceptional lawyer’, with experience on contentious and non-contentious matters across the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.

Belgium > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Olivier Mignolet and the 'amazing' Annabelle Bruyndonckx co-head Simmons & Simmons' team, which is noted for its strength in public procurement and supply chain issues. Bruyndonckx stands out for her extensive expertise in assisting global pharma and biotech companies with a broad range of regulatory work, and is well known for her strength in advising on digital health and medtech issues. Mignolet is an experienced commercial litigator with a strong focus on assisting with regulatory matters in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Nele Jonckers and Michael Bulckaert are names to note.

Belgium > EU regulatory: Privacy and data protection Tier 3

Simmons & Simmons has ‘among the most knowledgeable lawyers in the life sciences sector’, and for one client, is the ‘go-to team for data privacy advice’. Advising national and international clients on evolving Belgian and European regulations, particularly in the healthcare, technology, and financial services sectors is a focus of the team, along with assisting clients with the digitalisation of their companies. Olivier Mignolet is commended for ‘his humility and honesty, coupled with deep expertise in the life science sector’, and leads the team with Alejandro Guerrero. Jérémie Doornaert is for one client ‘one of the best experts in Belgium on privacy and data protection’.

Belgium > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 4

Simmons & Simmons‘ growing financial practice advises on both transactional and regulatory matters, with an emphasis on LMA-based lending transactions, including real estate finance. Eric Blomme, team head, specialises in acquisition and leveraged finance, representing both lenders and borrowers, including English, French, and Dutch clients. International banks and investment firms seek out Martin Carlier, who additionally is experienced in insurance regulatory matters.

Belgium > Dispute resolution Tier 4

Simmons & Simmons is recognised for its ‘good, clear and practical approach’, with a disputes practice that appears before commercial, civil, and administrative courts. The team is particularly knowledgeable in the life sciences and financial sector, and acts across a range of industries, including technology, fashion, and food and beverage. Olivier Mignolet and Annabelle Bruyndonckx lead the team, both with over two decades of experience, with the latter particularly skilled at disputes related to healthcare and life sciences.

Belgium > Employment Tier 4

Littler (Belgium) established itself as an independent presence in Belgium in May 2025 with its demerger from Reliance, bringing together a wealth of expertise across the labour and employment space. Staffing industry specialist Edward Carlier and human resources experts Pierre Van Achter and Catherine Kerrebrouck are among the key contacts. Joining the team is Julie Rousseau, an experienced advisor to employers, and longstanding collective and individual employment law expert Herman Craeninckx, who joined from Simmons & Simmons. The firm’s demerger occurred post-publication in May 2025.Simmons & Simmons fields an employment team with depth of experience in redundancy projects, reorganisations, and harmonisations. It often supports large, international clients, with particular strength in the financial services, investment funds, TMT, and healthcare and life sciences sectors. Former practice head and cross-border employment expert Dimitri Van Uytvanck left for Baker McKenzie in January 2025. Herman Craeninckx left the firm in May 2025.