Department profile
A&O Shearman

Competition: Domestic

Europe Guide 2026 : Belgium

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A&O Shearman

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition: Domestic - Belgium

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

The firm benefits from a long-established domestic Belgian practice that targets sophisticated competition law mandates investigated by the Belgian Competition Authority. It advises on the notification of Belgian mergers or joint ventures, and it defends clients in BCA cartel investigations. The lawyers have also acted on EU cartel investigations and appeals against significant fines, as well as representing clients in follow-on damages actions. The Brussels team handles European or global transactions that trigger EU merger notifications, serving a broad client list that includes Middle Eastern oil and gas companies, as well as global financial services and investment firms.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • A&O Shearman advised ExxonMobil on the EC merger control aspects of the sale of its controlling stake in Adriatic LNG.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The lawyers at A&O Shearman are extremely knowledgeable and are able to handle complex analysis in a timely matter.

    Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

  • The team at A&O Shearman is very business-oriented. The lawyers are highly reactive and offer high-value added services to their clients.

    Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

  • A&O Shearman's commercial sensibility, combined with technical excellence, makes the law firm a valuable partner on complex cross-border regulatory matters.

    Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

  • A&O Shearman's team has the ability to quickly assess situations and provide concise, actionable recommendations.

    Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

  • The team has strong technical skills and offers good communication with the client.

    Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Dirk Arts
    Dirk Arts

    Dirk Arts

    Dirk Arts leads the firm's key domestic competition law work and has a strong reputation for handling merger filings and antitrust investigations before the BCA. He also attracts attention for assisting clients with merger matters and allegations of anti-competitive behaviour that are investigated by the EC, while his broader behavioural practice includes advice on appeals against cartel decisions and subsequent follow-on damages actions.

    • It is a true pleasure to work with Dirk Arts. He has very strong expertise, is able to keep a view on the bigger picture, and is very client-oriented.

      Competition: Domestic respondentEurope
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Ranked Individuals at A&O Shearman (2)

Belgium

A&O Shearman has rankings in the following guides

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