Clifford Chance — Belgium

About

- Managing Partner: Charles Adams - Senior Partner: Adrian Cartwright - Co-Regional Managing Partners for One Europe: Steve Jacoby and Chinwe Odimba-Chapman ### Firm Overview Clifford Chance is a global law firm committed to creating advantage for its clients. The firm combines legal and commercial intelligence to grow, transform, protect and defend its clients’ business. Operating as a single, fully-integrated global partnership Clifford Chance provides forward-thinking insights and tech-enabled solutions in the sectors and markets that matter most to its clients. The firm’s culture of collaboration and commitment to rigorous and ethical standards, ensures consistent, high-quality service worldwide. ### Main areas of practice - Antitrust Antitrust challenges are growing across the world. Over 130 jurisdictions now have antitrust laws, and that number continues to grow. The range of business practices giving rise to antitrust enforcement is likewise expanding, and fines for antitrust infringements are rising. We have the expertise and global network to help our clients address these antitrust risks. Our global network of over 200 antitrust lawyers covers all the key hubs of Europe, Asia Pacific, the US and the Middle East, enabling us to support our clients on their most complex and important antitrust matters across the world. Our antitrust teams work together to solve multinational antitrust issues, taking into account the interplay between different practices and rules, and always mindful of the practical implications antitrust issues may have on our clients' business. - Capital Markets We advise major market participants including leading financial institutions, corporates, governments and supranational organisations across the world as well as first time issuers and other new players in the capital markets. Our lawyers cover the whole spectrum of capital markets work including debt and equity transactions, structured debt, high yield and trusts. Alongside mainstream capital markets issuances in the major economies we work on benchmarking and other innovative transactions including in new frontier markets. With over 120 partners and a further 400 lawyers dedicated to capital markets, as well as close links with our Finance, Corporate and Tax practices, we can quickly assemble cross-border teams who combine local and industry focus with international perspective to provide practical, integrated legal advice for all our clients' capital markets activities. - Corporate We advise clients on public and private M&A, disposals, demergers, joint ventures, restructurings, corporate governance and regulatory compliance, with a particular focus on complex, cross-border transactions. Our integrated team includes experts in antitrust/competition law, funds and investment management, insurance, private equity and public policy. Our clients include many of the world's leading companies including more than half of the Global Fortune 500. Our extensive global reach, combined with international deal execution skills and local market knowledge, provides clients with access to 200 partners and a further 500 lawyers with global and local capability. Our team also offers clients the combination of focused technical and industry expertise across 12 sectors from financial services through to energy & resources and healthcare. We are also supported by partners in our market leading finance, capital markets, litigation, tax, pensions, employment and real estate practices. - Energy Transition We advise clients on the full breadth of energy transition-related matters, ranging from project development, construction and financing to M&A and joint ventures, as well as providing detailed regulatory and tax advice. We are also well-positioned to advise and represent multinational clients in cross-border litigation, international arbitration, investigations and risk mitigation. Across the globe, our lawyers are routinely involved in many first-of-a-kind and award-winning transactions as we support our clients in their energy transition journey, across onshore and offshore wind, floating offshore wind, solar, carbon capture, clean hydrogen, battery storage, EV charging, grids, interconnection, carbon trading, digital infrastructure and new nuclear. - Finance We have an expert international finance practice. We act on many of the financial markets' ground-breaking deals and have become trusted advisers to the corporations and financial institutions that define the global markets. We advise on a full spectrum of financial products, including asset finance, corporate & investment grade lending, derivatives & structured finance, fintech, Islamic finance, leveraged & acquisition finance, projects & infrastructure finance, real estate finance, restructuring & insolvency, and trade, commodities & export finance. - Intellectual Property We advise on the IP aspects of our client’s most complex and business-critical projects, including contracts, technology adoption, transactions and disputes. Our team possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies of intellectual property law and its practical application in various industries. Whether your project is a standalone initiative or part of a larger transaction, we are equipped to navigate the complexities involved. We leverage our expertise to protect your innovations and maximise the value of your intellectual assets, ensuring that your business remains competitive and secure. - Litigation & Dispute Resolution Clifford Chance's global Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice has around 500 lawyers based in the UK, Continental Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the United States, who are experienced in the full spectrum of litigation, dispute resolution and regulatory issues that our clients face. Our highly qualified teams are focused on resolving high risk litigation, international arbitration and regulatory investigations. We are committed to resolving disputes as efficiently as possible and are focused on offering solutions that are practical and commercial. Our peers know that we are always prepared to proceed, however, and recognise our record in delivering results for clients in major litigation and arbitrations. Our credibility is also acknowledged by regulators and prosecutors, which assists with the effective resolution of investigations and other negotiations. - Real Estate Acting for the real estate industry's leading players, we advise on the full range of real estate-related transactions. With an integrated network of highly qualified individuals, we have the commitment, resources and know-how to get your deals done, whatever and wherever they are. Forward thinking and commercial in our approach, with a proven ability to deliver complex deals, we handle the entire property 'life-cycle' from the initial acquisition, development, leasing, joint venturing and financing through to the final exit. Our scale, geographical reach and seamless, coordinated approach means that we can support any real estate project. - Sustainability and ESG We provide support as businesses pursue the opportunities presented by the exponential growth of sustainable finance and investment opportunities, action on emissions, climate tech, innovation and infrastructure to facilitate the energy transition, and the promotion of human rights, talent and diversity in the workforce across businesses and supply chains. Core to business resilience in a time of change, are corporate governance frameworks that support coherent management of the opportunities and risks associated with a just transition to a carbon neutral or negative future. We advise clients internationally and locally as they incorporate ESG into business strategies and implement ESG in operations, supply chains and business relationships throughout value chains. We support businesses as they seek to transition to net zero and invest in new clean or low carbon businesses or products. We provide advice on comprehensive ESG management, implementing net zero strategies, identifying risks and obligations such an increasing reporting disclosure and due diligence requirements on ESG matters, to assistance with litigation, dispute and reputation risks arising from ESG, where effective stakeholder engagement is increasingly paramount. - Tax, Pensions, Employment and Incentives Unlike many competitors, we have offices with tax expertise across the globe and with over 170 tax advisors worldwide, we possess one of the largest international tax groups of any single law firm. We deliver commercial advice across the full spectrum of international and domestic tax issues and have unparalleled experience in advising on cross-border transactions. Our experienced employment, incentives and pensions specialists work with clients from a wide range of sectors to address local and cross-border issues. European offices: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Bucharest*, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Madrid, Munich, London, Luxembourg, Milan, Newcastle, Paris, Prague**, Rome, Warsaw ### International offices - Abu Dhabi: Tel: +971 2 419 2500 - Amsterdam: Tel: +31 20 711 9000 - Barcelona: Tel: +34 93344 2200 - Beijing: Tel: +86 10 6505 9018 - Brussels: Tel: +32 2 533 5911 - Bucharest*: Tel: +40 21 666 6100 - Casablanca: Tel: +212 5201 3 2080 - Delhi: Tel: +91 (0) 124 401 7300 - Dubai: Tel: +971 4 362 0444 - Düsseldorf: Tel: +49 211 43 550 - Frankfurt: Tel: +49 69 71 9901 - Hong Kong: Tel: +852 2825 8888 - Houston: Tel: +1 713 821 2800 - Istanbul: Tel: +90 212 339 0001 - London: Tel: +44 20 7006 1000 - Luxembourg: Tel: +352 48 50 501 - Madrid: Tel: +34 91 590 7500 - Milan: Tel: +39 02 806 341 - Munich: Tel: +49 8921 6320 - Newcastle: Tel: +442070061000 - New York: Tel: + 1 212 878 8000 - Paris: Tel: +33 1 44 05 52 52 - Perth: Tel: +61 8 9262 5555 - Prague**: Tel: +420222555222 - Riyadh***: Tel: +966 1 478 0220 - Rome: Tel: +39 06 422 911 - São Paulo: Tel: +55 11 3049 3188 - Shanghai: Tel: +86 21 6335 0086 - Singapore: Tel: +65 6410 2200 - Sydney: Tel: +61 2 8922 8000 - Tokyo: Tel: +81 3 5561 6600 - Warsaw: Tel: +48 22 627 1177 - Washington DC: Tel: + 1 202 912 5000 *Clifford Chance has entered into an association agreement with Clifford Chance Badea SPRL in Bucharest. **Clifford Chance has entered into an association agreement with Clifford Chance Prague Association S.R.O. in Prague. - ***AS&H Clifford Chance, a joint venture entered into by Clifford Chance LLP ### Staffing Figures - 430 Number of partners - 1187 Number of fee-earners

Office locations

Practice areas

Lawyers in this office

Alexandre Ooms

Alexandre Ooms is head of the Brussels tax practice. He has extensive experience in the real estate sector and regularly advises clients on big ticket M&A and high-end finance tax work. Alexandre is an all-round tax expert and thought leader on the subjects of corporate and international tax, real estate tax matters and fund structuring. · Corporate / M&A

Anastasios Tomtsis

Anastasios Tomtsis advises major companies from a wide range of industries on global antitrust and EU law. He has particular expertise in EU and multi-jurisdictional merger control, and in state aid control. · Antitrust

Ashwin van Rooijen

Ashwin focuses on contentious antitrust matters – abuse of dominance and restrictive agreements – as well as regulation in the technology sector. He has represented clients such as Nokia, GE, Samsung, Epic Games, and Oracle. Ashwin frequently acts for clients accused of abuse of dominance, having secured either wins (on six occasions, two of which after issuance of preliminary findings) or commitments (in two cases). He is equally active on the complainant side, having recently represented OLX on its successful abuse of dominance complaint against Meta, which resulted in the first ever European Commission antitrust fine for Meta. Ashwin also advises (prospective) gatekeepers as well as third parties on implications of the Digital Markets Act. Ashwin’s practice covers key issues in technology markets, including: (i) standard essential patents, (ii) standard-setting agreements, (iii) refusal to supply and refusal to license, (iv) interoperability, (v) aftermarkets, (vi) tying, (vii) data, and (viii) vertical restraints in licensing and distribution agreements. Ashwin previously worked as a software engineer in California and the Netherlands, and relies on his tech background to advise his clients and understand their business. · Antitrust / Competition

David Ballegeer

David Ballegeer advises clients across a wide range of sectors, with a particular focus on the energy and energy‑transition sector. His practice focuses on complex financings, including bank-bond structures, capital markets, project and green financings. He advises EU and non-EU incorporated groups, listed and non-listed, and lenders on various financing products across the entire capital structure. David is widely regarded as one of Belgium’s leading banking and capital markets lawyers. · Banking & Finance

Dieter Paemen

Dieter Paemen's practice focuses on European and Belgian antitrust law. He has over twenty five years of experience advising clients in European and Belgian merger clearance procedures, cartel investigations, abuse of dominance investigations, licensing and distribution agreements, and copyright and unfair competition issues. He acts for complainants and defendants as well as interested third parties. Dieter has particular expertise in the information technology, retail, and manufacturing industries. · Antitrust

Dorothée Vermeiren

Dorothée Vermeiren is head of the Brussels litigation and dispute resolution practice. She has a strong track record in banking litigation and restructurings and insolvencies. She also specialises in commercial arbitration (including acting as an arbitrator herself), competition litigation, and compliance with anti-corruption and sanctions litigation. · Litigation

Georgios Yannouchos

Gillis Waelkens

Gillis Waelkens focuses on domestic and international M&A transactions and corporate advisory work. He has particular experience in infrastructure transactions, venture and growth investments, public and cross-border M&A. Gillis has been based in the London and Brussels offices of Clifford Chance. · Corporate / M&A

Henri d\'Ursel

Henri d'Ursel is head of the Brussels real estate practice. Henri's expertise encompasses all aspects of real estate law, including acquisitions, sales, reorganisations and developments. He focuses on significant transactions for leading market players in both the domestic and international markets. Henri's work products cover all stages of the property life cycle. His client base includes large international real estate investment companies, funds, and hospitality and leisure players, as well as family investment trusts. · Real Estate

Lounia Czupper

Lounia Czupper specialises in banking, finance and debt capital markets transactions. Lounia advises both borrowers and lenders on all types of finance transactions, including syndicated loans, leveraged and acquisition finance, real estate finance and restructurings. Lounia also advises issuers and managers on debt capital markets transactions, including Eurobond issues, EMTN and CP programmes and various types of structured debt transactions. As part of her regulatory practice, Lounia advises credit institutions, investment funds and various other entities on regulatory matters and product development. · Banking & Finance

Milena Robotham

Milena Robotham specialises in European competition law and has broad experience representing companies in proceedings before the European Commission. Milena advises a range of corporate clients, including in contentious behavioural matters, complex merger control cases and advisory and compliance matters. She has particular expertise in technology and energy markets. Milena has experience advising on high-profile cases both from the in-house and outside counsel perspective. · Antitrust / Competition

Niek De Pauw

Niek De Pauw specialises in domestic and international M&A transactions, equity capital markets and listed company advisory work. Niek has broad experience in public and private acquisitions, disposals, restructurings, joint ventures, and private equity transactions. His expertise also covers securities offerings, including IPOs, rights issues and other capital market operations. He regularly advises listed companies on a wide range of corporate governance issues. · Mergers & Acquisitions

Patrice Viaene

Patrice Viaene's corporate experience extends across international and domestic M&A, energy, construction and large infrastructure projects as well as assisting entrepreneurs and venture capital investors in the tech sector. Patrice has a particular expertise in the renewable energy sector and is a leading member of our worldwide Clean Hydrogen Taskforce. · Corporate / M&A

Philippe Baert

Philippe Baert is a senior associate in the Brussels office of Clifford Chance, who is qualified in Belgium (advocaat / avocat) and England and Wales (solicitor). He advises on a wide range of cross-border M&A transactions, project financings and large infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on the renewable energy sector and the energy transition. He is a member of Clifford Chance’s worldwide construction group and clean Hydrogen taskforce where he focuses on midstream issues and structural elements of market design. · Mergers & Acquisitions

Pieter De Bock

Pieter De Bock is a member of the Brussels bar since 1999. Pieter is specialised in all aspects of public and regulatory law, including planning and environmental law. His practice covers all three Belgian Regions. In addition to this, Pieter is also highly experienced real estate and property lawyer and works on numerous high profile real estate transactions and projects. · Public Law

Richard Blewett

Richard Blewett is a Partner in Clifford Chance's Antitrust Practice in Brussels. He recently relocated from Asia where he was head of the China Antitrust Practice. Richard has a wide range of experience on international merger and antitrust work and has key clients across a number of sectors including TMT, energy, commodities, retail, financial services, and transport. His experience and knowledge spans across Asia and the EU from his time spent in Beijing, Hong Kong, London and Brussels. · Antitrust

Wim Aerts

Wim Aerts is a senior counsel in the banking, finance and capital markets practice. Wim is experienced in all types of bank lending and debt financing transactions. His practice has particular focus on debt capital markets (including structured finance and equity-linked transactions), where Wim has acted for both issuers and managers on a broad range of public and private transactions. · Banking & Finance

Xavier Remy

Xavier Remy is a corporate partner who handles company, commercial and regulatory matters, often in an M&A or joint venture context. Xavier has specific regulatory expertise in the areas of energy and healthcare, and also advises on employment law. · Corporate / M&A