Van Bael & Bellis pairs ‘technical excellence with strong commercial insight’ and is a regular port of call for clients in the technology and food sectors. A ’dedicated and client-oriented’ advisor, Michel Bonne heads the practice. Bonne and Hannelore Matthys act for multinational clients across the food, technology, and life sciences segments on high-value M&A, joint ventures, and takeover bids. Caroline Daout and Virginie Lescot act for major multinational energy, infrastructure, and industrial companies on M&A, restructuring, and post-M&A disputes.
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Profile
Work Department
Corporate and commercial, M&A
Position
Partner Michel Bonne focuses on corporate M&A. He has advised a wide range of listed and privately held corporate, private equity and financial companies on Belgian and cross-border M&A transactions, including restructuring , private M&A, capital markets (IPOs, secondary offerings and take-over bids), private equity and venture capital placements, real estate transactions, privatisations, mergers, joint ventures and reorganisations. His experience covers a broad range of sectors, including energy, media, financial services, telecom, IT, retail, real estate, life sciences, aviation and biotech.
Career
Prior to joining Van Bael & Bellis, Michel worked at the Brussels and London offices of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
Languages
Michel speaks Dutch, English, French and Spanish.
Memberships
Member of the Brussels Bar
Education
Universities of Brussels (KUB) and Leuven (KUL) – Master’s Degree in Corporate Law, 2004 University of Madrid (UAM) – Master’s Degree in European Law, 1999 Universities of Leuven (KUL), Copenhagen (KU) and Namur (FUNDP) – Master in Law, 1998
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Van Bael & Bellis is distinguished by its ability to think outside the box and deliver client-focused solutions. The experienced team is dedicated, responsive, and flexible, providing pragmatic advice tailored to each client's needs.'
- 'Very hands-on. They understand the customer's needs and have a pragmatic approach.'
Key clients
- Argos Withyu
- Bidfood
Work highlights
Advising FrieslandCampina on a landmark cross-border merger with Milcobel, creating a leading international dairy cooperative with over €14bn in pro forma revenue.