Department profile
Freshfields

Corporate/M&A

Global Guide 2026 : Belgium

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Freshfields

Rankings

About

Provided by Freshfields

Please visit the Freshfields website for more details about our work in this category:

https://www.freshfields.com/en-gb/capabilities/services/mergers-and-acquisitions/

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A - Belgium

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Freshfields has a successful department offering a stellar performance for a range of blue-chip Belgian and international companies, as well as a number of private equity houses. The law firm acts on a range of corporate matters, including acquisitions, auction sales, joint venture agreements and restructurings, and benefits from an exceptional network of offices throughout Europe to offer clients seamless assistance with multi-jurisdictional cases. Freshfields further offers market-leading competition expertise to boost its M&A offering.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Freshfields assisted APG with its role in the business combination of Interparking and Saba.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Freshfields' strengths are its technical expertise, responsiveness and communication clarity. The team is also able to remain calm and solution-oriented under pressure.

    Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

  • Freshfields has a very deep understanding of what we need, who we are and what we are looking for.

    Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

  • Freshfields offers a global practice and a very down-to-earth, diligent and proactive team in Belgium.

    Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

  • What I appreciate about Freshfields is the fact that it thinks long term with its clients. The lawyers are very pragmatic and thorough in their work and provide solutions.

    Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

  • The team is very well organised and has the knowledge and experience to handle the most sophisticated matters in the Belgian market.

    Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Deborah Janssens
    Deborah Janssens

    Deborah Janssens

    Deborah Janssens has an impressively broad M&A practice, advising market-leading Belgian clients, as well as international private equity houses, on sales and acquisitions in Belgium. She is also highly experienced in restructuring and joint venture matters.

    • Deborah knows our company from top to bottom and we like to work with her because she is very good at what she does.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Deborah Janssens provides a 360-degree view and creative ideas. When the matter is complex, I want her on my side to see things that others do not see.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • She can spot issues and come up with actionable advice.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Deborah Janssens consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of corporate law, as well as strategic thinking and a pragmatic approach to dealmaking.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Deborah Janssens is a fantastic corporate lawyer and adviser. She is constantly scanning ahead for potential problems and, probably more importantly, solutions.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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  • Frederic Elens
    Frederic Elens

    Frederic Elens

    Frederic Elens assists clients with an impressive range of cross-border transactions, with experience in the insurance, real estate and technology sectors. He also advises investors on venture capital matters.

    • Frederic Elens combines technical excellence with commercial acumen, making him a trusted adviser not only on legal matters but also on broader strategic considerations.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Frederic Elens has a sharp mind and good analytical sense. He understands the business and what its main goals are.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Frederic Elens is a true dealmaker who is practical and detail-oriented, as well as someone who truly defends his clients' interests.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Frederic is very calm and remains so throughout all phases of a deal. When there is a lot of pressure and fast-moving pieces, he takes a step back and analyses the situation with peace of mind.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Frederic Elens is a top performer within the team. He is very hardworking and his ability to manage different viewpoints in order to come to a reasonable solution for all parties stands out to me.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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  • Vincent Macq
    Vincent Macq

    Vincent Macq

    Vincent Macq advises on an impressive array of multinational M&A transactions in the chemical, infrastructure and real estate sectors.

    • Vincent Macq is a very experienced, pragmatic lawyer who is able to give to-the-point and highly practical advice regardless of the circumstances, complexity or timing.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Vincent Macq is a very solid pair of hands.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Vincent Macq has strong experience, gets straight to the point and provides high quality work.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • He makes complex matters simple and guides his clients towards the best outcomes possible.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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  • Sigrid Ververken
    Sigrid Ververken

    Sigrid Ververken

    Sigrid Ververken is an up-and-coming practitioner with extensive experience in cross-border mergers and acquisitions. She is a trusted adviser to clients in the technology, telecommunications and energy sectors, offering strategic guidance in complex transactions.

    • Sigrid Ververken is a bright and intelligent lawyer who maintains a bird's-eye view on the deal and dives deep on various aspects of the transaction thoroughly.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Sigrid Ververken is a very strong professional with deep technical knowledge.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Sigrid Ververken is very pragmatic and a good technician.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Freshfields (4)

Belgium

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