Bird & Bird > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile

Bird & Bird > The Legal 500 Rankings

Belgium > EU regulatory: Pharma, medical devices and biotech Tier 1

Bird & Bird works with a wide range of major life sciences and healthcare clients on contentious and non-contentious issues, taking a multi-disciplinary approach to matters across the business cycle. Clients include pharma, medical devices, and biotech companies, universities and other research organisations, and investors. The team, led by specialist medicines and biotech advisor Marc Martens, has notable expertise in healthcare sector pricing and reimbursement, e-health, and public procurement matters, alongside playing a leading role in litigation before the European Commission relating to generics. Counsel Nicolas Carbonnelle has a focus on biological materials and biobanking, while senior associate Kevin Munungu handles market access and pricing issues.

Belgium > EU regulatory: Privacy and data protection Tier 1

Bird & Bird has an integrated cross-border data protection offering, working with international clients and public sector bodies on EU-wide data protection and cybersecurity issues, ranging from GDPR compliance to specific advice relating to disruptive technologies, research programmes, and Big Data issues, most notably within the transport sector. Other areas of strength for the practice include employee data and life sciences issues, while the team’s continuous corporate support offering often includes internal secondments. The team is led by Benoit Van Asbroeck, a specialist in contentious and non-contentious data protection work, with senior associate Simon Mortier also a key name in the team, handling both advisory work and litigation.

Belgium > Fintech Tier 1

Bird & Bird has a strong record across innovative fintech products, advising clients on payment services, blockchain technology, open banking, and lending platforms, with particular expertise in the fields of e-banking, online payments, and regulatory compliance. Clients include established businesses through to start-ups, both within Belgium and internationally. The practice is led by the ‘hands-on‘ Scott McInnes, recognised as an expert in e-payment systems, regulatory finance specialist Paul Hermant, and Cathie-Rosalie Joly, who also spends time in the Paris office and focuses on cross-border financial services regulatory and data protection issues.

Belgium > Industry focus: Food Tier 1

Drawing on its firmwide reputation for intellectual property work, Bird & Bird's food and beverage team is routinely engaged by a stellar roster of domestic and international clients seeking assistance in the IP space.  Trademark portfolio management is a core strength of the practice, including protection and enforcement actions, monetisation reviews and regulatory compliance pertaining to advertising. The team is also well versed in industry-specific e-commerce matters, consumer law, and boardroom-level advisory. Nicolas Carbonnelle assists clients in the food and drinks space with the full lifecycle of new products, including innovative new ventures in the eco-conscious space. IP heavyweight Jean-Christophe Troussel acts for a number of multinationals on cross-border transactions and disputes.

Belgium > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 1

Bird & Bird has a preeminent reputation in healthcare and life sciences globally and its Brussels practice is equally adept in contentious and non-contentious mandates. The team is especially active in the hospital sector, advising on a mix of pricing, reimbursements, e-health issues and public procurement. Practice head Marc Martens‘s deep regulatory expertise notably encompasses areas including biobanking, advanced therapies and clinical trials, working with a deep roster of regional, national, and European organisations. Jean-Christophe Troussel and Paul Hermant are noted for their focus on IP-based and transactional mandates, respectively. Nicolas Carbonnelle continues to work with a number of high-profile clients on medical biotechnology and pharmaceutical instructions, often in a cross-border capacity.

Belgium > Industry focus: IT and telecoms Tier 1

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.

Belgium > Intellectual property Tier 1

Bird & Bird enjoys a stellar market reputation on account of its highly capable and multifaceted IP practice. An expansive roster of high-profile multinationals turn to the team for assistance with brand protection strategy, copyright enforcement, geographical indications, transactional support and multi-jurisdictional patent litigation. Practice head Jean-Christophe Troussel is an experienced adviser to many of the firm's life sciences, food, and luxury goods clients, with niche expertise in parallel imports matters. Benoit Van Asbroeck is noted for his academic and contentious credentials in IP and IT, successfully representing clients before the Court of Justice of the European Union. Domien Op de Beeck's prolific disputes practice sees him appearing before the Belgian courts, the European Patent Office, and the General Court of the European Union. Guillaume de Villegas and Pierre Hechtermans are also noted.

Belgium > EU regulatory: Financial services Tier 2

Bird & Bird leverages its strong record in tech and innovation work globally, advising domestic and international clients within the fintech industry on issues such as payment services, blockchain technology, open banking, e-banking, and e-finance, working with established players alongside start-ups and disruptors. Specific areas of expertise for the team, led by online payments specialist Scott McInnes and regulatory finance lead Paul Hermant, include financial services apps and innovative digital payment platforms, including cryptocurrency.

Belgium > EU regulatory: Food Tier 2

Bird & Bird advises food and beverage producers, distributors and retailers, and biotech companies on food production, labelling, R&D, and distribution issues, offering an integrated global service in collaboration with its international offices, alongside in-house life sciences regulatory expertise. Clients range from start-ups through to multinationals, including major global food and beverage players. The team is led by counsel Nicolas Carbonnelle, who has expertise across the life cycle of food products, from initial development through to distribution and marketing, with Francine Cunningham also involved in public affairs advice and lobbying.

Belgium > Industry focus: Media and entertainment Tier 2

Bird & Bird's media, entertainment and sport practice works across a broad sweep of industries including broadcasting, television, radio, film, and advertising. The team is regularly engaged by major global corporations and associations for representation in trademark enforcement actions, compliance reviews, content licensing, and distribution matters. Benoit Van Asbroeck is noted for his expertise in intellectual property and tech, advising on proposed legislative changes and securing victories in cases before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). Pierre Hechtermans is recommended for his focus on rightsholder and intermediary advisory, and works alongside Van Asbroeck at the CJEU.

Belgium > Not-for-profit Tier 2

Belgium > Competition: EU and global Tier 4

Bird & Bird has expanded its share of big-ticket competition work, with new mandates from major international corporates, and provides integrated regulatory and public affairs support alongside its competition offering. The team handles cross-border merger control proceedings, and is involved in major state aid and cartel litigation before the European Commission and courts. The practice is now co-led by Hein Hobbelen, who has a diverse practice and has played a key role in securing new international mandates, alongside José Rivas, who specialises in state aid and has notable expertise in the sports sector, complementing the firm’s traditional TMT focus.

Belgium > Employment Tier 4

Drawing on its sizeable global network, Bird & Bird is noted for its strong sense of interdepartmental and international collaboration, advising a number of high-profile clients on collective dismissals, TUPE transfers, outsourcing issues, and works council negotiations. Seasoned practice head Pieter De Koster advises a broad sweep of clients on various labour law matters, including change management issues, industrial relations work and contentious proceedings.

Belgium > Tax Tier 4

Bird & Bird’s tax team advises its wider tech and corporate practices on various transactional tax issues alongside indirect tax and regulatory considerations. The practice additionally advises on niche IP and R&D tax considerations, working with growth companies in the technology, telecoms, and life sciences sectors. Brent Springael leads the team.

Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 5

Bird & Bird advises on a wide range of transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, private equity investments, and public takeover bids, and has expanded its involvement in the market beyond its traditional strength in tech and life sciences, with notable new mandates concerning car batteries and manufacturing operations. The team also handles commercial contracting, distressed acquisitions, and corporate litigation. The team is led by Paul Hermant, who advises on transactions and financing matters, with senior associate Pieter-Jan Van Houdenhove regularly involved in M&A and corporate litigation, working with domestic and international clients.