Standing out for its ‘high level of business acumen’ and ’sound legal solutions’, CMS demonstrates deep expertise in the pharmaceuticals, aerospace, transport, and technology sectors. Practice co-head Annabelle Lepièce possesses particular expertise in State aid matters, though is also active in FSR and FDI-related mandates. Fellow co-lead Dirk Van Liedekerke specialises in cartels and abuse of dominance cases, with a strong focus on regulated sectors and the sports industry. A further key contact is Marguerite Soete, who supports the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘We have developed a great level of trust with their team, to whom we regularly entrust complex projects with significant financial and strategic implications.’
- ‘Annabelle Lepièce demonstrates a very thorough knowledge of European State aid law and its application in Belgium. Her extensive practical experience has helped us find innovative solutions, drawing on relevant precedents from other Member States.’
- ‘Main characteristics of the team is the high level of business acumen, and the ability to translate the business needs into sound legal solutions and products.'
- 'The practice works in a model of close collaboration with its clients.’
- ‘The closeness of individuals and the high degree of flexibility are main features that make the individual CMS members stand out. They are specifically agile and efficient.'
- ‘The team of CMS has a lot of expertise on state aid. Their experience and expertise is based on European legislation but also on day-to-day practice and experiences with concrete cases.’
Key clients
- Belgian State
- Proximus
- FIFA
- Royal Unibrew
- Fixmer
- National Institute for Radio Elements
Work highlights
Representing Proximus in a damage claim alleging abuse of dominance under Belgian and EU competition law, related to historical pricing practices for mobile and fixed-to-mobile calls.
Representing FIFA in cases before the national and European courts involving complex issues of international jurisdiction and the need to clarify the precise scope of application of Article 101 TFEU.
Assisting the Belgian State in various aid schemes, subsidies and notifications to the European Commission.
Lawyers
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Practice head
Annabelle Lepièce; Dirk Van Liedekerke
Other key lawyers
Marguerite Soete