ARGO Law handles a range of work including IPOs, bond issuances and borrower-side finance transactions for private equity funds. In the capital markets sphere, the team is particularly experienced in public takeover mandates, while the banking and finance team is skilled at handling acquisition finance and asset-backed finance matters. Nico Goossens has both transactional and contentious experience, with particular expertise in capital market issues. Pieter Bogaerts specialises in asset-backed finance transactions. Francis Wijnakker, who joined in June 2025 from Linklaters, focuses on acquisition finance mandates. The three co-head the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Francis Wijnakker is an excellent, well-connected finance professional. Knows his domain inside out. Very responsive and pleasant to work with.’
- ‘Pragmatic and top-notch expertise and advice.’
- ‘Very customer-oriented and solutions driven, they really listen to what we want to achieve and then find the best possible way to get there.'
- 'Hands-on and pragmatic, but build on an in-depth knowledge of the legal possibilities.’
- ‘Nico Goossens is very accessible and a great listener. He has so much knowledge and experience that in only a few minutes he can see new possibilities and solutions. Great to work with him and his team’
Key clients
- CMB.TECH
- CMB
- Smartphoto Group
- Gimv
- Waterland Private Equity Investments
- Bencis Capital Partners
- Strada Partners
- Equine Care Group
- Anchr
- VGP
- ING Belgium
Work highlights
Advised CMB.Tech NV on the share-for-share merger with Golden Ocean Group Limited merging into CMB.TECH Bermuda Ltd. Additionally, advised on its financing arrangements in connection to this transaction for an amount of $1.4bn.
Advised VGP NV on its issuance of €500m green bonds with Belfius, BNP Paribas, J.P. Morgan and KBC Bank acting as joint bookrunners.
Advised Ardo Foods on the amendment and restatement of its €430m existing bank financing.
Practice head
Nico Goossens; Pieter Bogaerts; Francis Wijnakker