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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

Competition: EU

Global Guide 2026 : Belgium

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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

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About

Provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

Primarily through its Brussels office, Skadden advises clients regarding the rapidly evolving areas of European Union (EU) law, including a full range of competition issues (e.g. merger control, cartels and Articles 101/102 (formerly Articles 81/82)). Several of our resident attorneys are qualified to practice Belgian law and are members of the Brussels bar. Our attorneys include nationals admitted to practice in various Member States within the EU. 

Our attorneys handle matters in the following principal categories: EU and other non-U.S. cartel, antitrust, merger control laws and other EU competition, liberalization and regulatory issues. Our Brussels-based attorneys regularly coordinate with their U.S. and Asian colleagues on global merger and antitrust cases.

Skadden’s Brussels office is recognized as having one of the top practices in the area of European Union and International Competition by Chambers Europe, IFLR 1000 and The Legal 500. In 2024, Skadden ranked as an “Outstanding” firm in Global Competition Review’s survey of Brussels’ top competition practices. Attorneys in our practice are fluent in Dutch/Flemish, English, French, German, Greek, Spanish and Italian.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition: EU - Belgium

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom benefits from a strong pipeline of major M&A transactions, including US strategic investments into Europe and vice versa. The strength of its Brussels-based practice earns the firm roles on transactions that are subject to detailed investigation by the EC and that often necessitate the negotiation and implementation of complex remedy packages. The firm is particularly popular with clients from the technology sector and often assists with challenging decisions under the EU's Digital Markets Act. Skadden also acts on important EU behavioural mandates, including investigations into potential collusion.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom advised Catalent on the global antitrust aspects of its USD16 billion acquisition by Novo Holdings.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Skadden's regulatory team is excellent and very available to discuss and explain the intricacy of the various legislations.

    Competition: EU respondentGlobal

  • Skadden's team is very responsive and pragmatic in its multi-jurisdictional FDI analysis.

    Competition: EU respondentGlobal

  • Skadden's lawyers are clear thinkers, pragmatic, and offer concise advise with a simple explanation of complex matters.

    Competition: EU respondentGlobal

  • Skadden's team is very responsive and organised.

    Competition: EU respondentGlobal

  • Skadden's team shows a deep expertise and familiarity with the complex regulatory environment in the EU and beyond. It provides practical advice while making relatively abstract concepts tangible.

    Competition: EU respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Ingrid Vandenborre
    Ingrid Vandenborre

    Ingrid Vandenborre

    Ingrid Vandenborre has a market-leading practice that encompasses both merger control mandates and significant cartel investigations. She is particularly active in matters involving the technology and financial services sectors.

    • I like that she is on top of details and gets involved in drafting.

      Competition: EU respondentGlobal

    • I can't praise Ingrid Vandenborre enough. I love working with her.

      Competition: EU respondentGlobal

    • Ingrid Vandenborre is a very knowledgeable and pragmatic lawyer who is also a very nice person to work with.

      Competition: EU respondentGlobal

    • Ingrid Vandenborre's awareness of issues and understanding of client constraints is exemplary.

      Competition: EU respondentGlobal
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  • Bill Batchelor
    Bill Batchelor

    Bill Batchelor

    Bill Batchelor has standout experience in merger clearance matters and often assists clients in the technology sector with challenging decisions under the EU's novel Digital Markets Act. He has further expertise representing clients in cartel investigations. He is admitted to the Bar in Brussels, as well as England and Wales, where he regularly assists with interactions with the CMA.

    • Bill Batchelor is a very practical and experienced lawyer.

      Competition: EU respondentGlobal
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  • Rafique Bachour
    Rafique Bachour

    Rafique Bachour

    Rafique Bachour often assists with global merger filings, particularly in the natural resources sector. In addition to covering merger notification procedures, he also acts on foreign direct investment aspects. He joined Skadden in January 2026.

    • Rafique Bachour offers an unmatched combination of in-depth legal knowledge and exceptional strategic insight.

      Competition: EU respondentGlobal

    • Rafique Bachour is really smart and really nice. If he is on your team, he'll be the one to come up with the idea no one else thinks of.

      Competition: EU respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates (3)

Belgium

Members

Provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

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