White & Case LLP > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile

White & Case LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Belgium > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2

White & Case LLP's team is very well-regarded for its ability to hand cross-border leveraged finance work, regularly collaborating with the firm's global offices to advise both borrowers and lenders in connection with high-value acquisitions. As direct lenders increase their market presence in Belgium, the practice often advises global private capital funds on complex unitranche financings and holdco PIK financings. The team is also a popular destination for clients seeking advice on debt capital markets matters, with Willem Van De Wiele advising on bond issuances and private placements in addition to handling securitisation mandates. The practice is jointly led by leveraged financing expert Hadrien Servais and restructuring specialist Thierry Bosly. Eline Souffriau is also recommended for debt finance and capital markets work.

Belgium > Competition: EU and global Tier 2

White & Case LLP continues to enjoy its reputation as a ‘litigation powerhouse‘, and has recently been active in a range of bet-the-company investigations and cases. The firm is also well versed in advising on global mergers, and fields an integrated foreign subsidies regulation team. James Killick  is the regional EMEA competition head. Other recommended senior practitioners include Mark Powell and Strati Sakellariou-Witt, while at the more junior level, counsel Irina Trichkovska is singled out. Former Brussels office executive partner Axel Schulz left in late 2023.

Belgium > Environment Tier 2

White & Case LLP's environmental law practice stands out for its focus on international and EU regulatory matters, which it handles for high-profile clients such as Eni, Daimler AG, and Nestlé Nespresso. Team lead and EU regulatory specialist Genevra Forwood has a broad practice that includes advising on public procurement and state aid with environmental objectives. Up-and-coming partner Sara Nordin handles sanctions, export controls, customs law and important regulatory matters, and litigation expert Alexandre Hublet chiefly handles contentious matters.

Belgium > Insolvency and restructuring Tier 2

White & Case LLP is prolific in advising on distressed M&A and asset transfers, having advised creditors such as Deutsche Bank on post-bankruptcy acquisitions as well as acting for individual and corporate creditors in post-insolvency asset recovery proceedings. The team, which is active across Belgium and Luxembourg and frequently collaborates with the firm’s global network to advise on cross-border matters, also represents its debtor clients in high-profile restructurings and disputes arising out of financial distress. Practice head Thierry Bosly is a key contact for distressed asset purchases, while Alexandre Hublet is highly recommended for her commercial litigation experience.

Belgium > Private equity Tier 2

Cross-border private equity transactions are a key area of focus for the team at White & Case LLP, which works across the Benelux region and also frequently collaborates with the firm’s global offices to handle a diverse range of high-value private equity investments and acquisitions. In addition to its international work, the team also advises Belgian funds and portfolio companies on transactions, financing matters, and VC-backed fundraising rounds. Although it is active across a wide array of deals, the team is particularly noted for its ability to handle private investments in the tech, financial services, and energy sectors. Practice co-heads Carlo Meert and Thierry Bosly focus on cross-border M&A, as does Thomas Glauden, who exhibits particular expertise in Luxembourg-based matters. Philippe Hendrickx is also highly recommended.

Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

The team at White & Case LLP is noted for its ‘profound understanding of cross-border complexities‘, which enables it to collaborate with the firm’s international partner offices to advise clients in a wide range of industries on complex multi-jurisdictional transactions. In addition to private equity investments, the team handles strategic transactions, spin-off deals, share capital increases, and commercial matters. The practice is co-led by Thierry Bosly, who is noted for his expertise in cross-border M&A and restructuring matters, and Carlo Meert, who handles private equity transactions and corporate finance issues. Thomas Glauden heads the team’s Luxembourg office in addition to advising on Belgium-based M&A matters. Private equity expert Philippe Hendrickx is also recommended.

Belgium > Customs, trade, WTO and anti-dumping Tier 3

White & Case LLP serves as the trusted advisor of a number of major companies and trade associations, with a particular focus on the steel industry, and focuses on acting in trade defence and WTO investigations and disputes. The team is very active in advising on the maintenance and enforcement of anti-dumping duties, while also handling matters related totrade safeguards and remedies for clients in their capacity as materials exporters. Trade compliance is a further area of expertise for the team, which is regularly instructed to advise on sanctions, supply chain, and customs matters. A consortium of lawyers leads the practice: James Killick handles trade defence and anti-dumping matters, Geneva-based Jasper Wauters is a key contact for WTO work, and Genevra Forwood and Sara Nordin are experts on sanctions and export controls.

Belgium > Dispute resolution Tier 3

The ‘very diverse and bright team‘ at White & Case LLP acts in high-profile corporate disputes, particularly across the financial services, private equity, and technology sectors. The practice is adept at multijurisdictional matters, working for leading Belgian and international companies. Alexandre Hublet and Thierry Bosly lead the team, which notably includes Irina Trichkovska, who is ‘always extremely tenacious, efficient and committed to the client’s cause’.

Poland > Competition/antitrust

The competition and antitrust group at White & Case LLP provides advice to clients from a range of sectors, including the TMT, IT, financial, and oil and gas industries. Its offering includes representation in both Polish and EU antitrust investigations, as well as assistance with merger control, state aid, and compliance matters. Jakub Gubański leads the team with the assistance of Katarzyna Czapracka, who divides her time between the firm’s Warsaw and Brussels offices.