Clifford Chance provides a ‘proactive, solution-minded’ team, demonstrating a leading focus on the energy and infrastructure segments. The ’exceptional and very commercial’ Xavier Remy heads the team and assists leading energy sector clients across domestic and international M&A, joint ventures, corporate law issues, and equity capital markets transactions. Niek De Pauw brings deep knowhow in the infrastructure space, particularly concerning telecommunications assets, advising on M&A processes, private investments, and private equity transactions. Standing out for his ‘commercial mindset’, Patrice Viaene is a further key contact on energy, industrial, and technology sector transactions. Gillis Waelkens assists in regulated sector transactions and investments.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Proactive, solution-minded, out-of-the-box thinking, understanding our needs and trying to make it work.
- Very reactive team with a wealth of expertise in their domain.
- A great balance of proximity, day-to-day availability, and depth of expertise deployed at full capacity when needed.
- The team at Clifford Chance has a commercial mindset and a thorough understanding of clients' needs. This is combined with a very detailed understanding of a broad range of legal topics, which makes them the perfect partner for complex capital markets, private equity, and M&A work.
- Very professional. Quick response times. Able to work in different jurisdictions efficiently and effectively. Pleasant interaction.
- Hands-on pragmatic approach
- Excellent knowledge of the infrastructure market with deep sector insights.
- Partner Niek De Pauw is extremely knowledgeable and hands-on in both capital market deals and private equity, whereas Patrice Viaene brings great energy and has a commercial mindset to get the deal done. Gillis Waelkens is fantastic to work with and combines in-depth knowledge of complex legal issues with a very efficient and pragmatic approach.
- Xavier Remy is an exceptional and very commercial lawyer.
- I would like to highlight the invaluable resources we have in Niek De Pauw and Gillis Waelkens. They are always available and bring a wealth of expertise to the table, offering solutions that are always tailored to meet our specific needs.
Key clients
- Publi-T
- EQT Infrastructure
- What's Cooking
- Eurofiber
- FOSUN International Limited
- Deliverect
- Telekom Srbija
- PSA Group
- Mubadala Investment Company PJSC
- SFPIM
- Mitsui & Co., Ltd
- Aïkido Security
- Certis Belchim
- Asterion Industrial Partners
- Amavi Capital
- Kingspan
- Ekopak
- Corialis
- Antin Infrastructure Partners and Eurofiber
- BNP Paribas Fortis
Work highlights
Advised Publi-T, the reference shareholder of Elia Group, on the creation of NextGrid Holding, its joint venture with Fluxys to anchor Elia Group's reference shareholding and to fund future capital raises of Elia Group, and subsequently advised Publi-T – together with its partner Fluxys, and its subsidiary NextGrid, on Elia Group's €2.2bn equity package.
Advised Telekom Srbija on its acquisition from United Group of 100% of Eon TV International Ltd, the direct-to-home business trading as EoNSat and Total TV in Serbia and North Macedonia, as well as certain rights, licenses, and other assets relating to the Sport Klub channels in the Western Balkans.
Advised What's Cooking Group NV on the sale of its savoury business unit to AURELIUS, a global alternative investor
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Gillis Waelkens
Practice head
Xavier Remy
Other key lawyers
Niek De Pauw; Patrice Viaene; Gillis Waelkens