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Europe Belgium Corporate/M&A

This section relates to transactions involving different companies, corporate governance, corporate restructuring, shareholder issues. This broad category covers both public company and private equity (including venture capital) matters. The chapter includes company acquisitions, dispositions and capitalisations, entity selection and formation, operating and partnership agreements, securities and governance matters. Also covers those transactions designed to help restructuring within companies and their subsidiaries by change of ownership. Priority is placed on primary representatives, those acting for buyers and sellers, whilst those acting for financial advisors, underwriters and the banks financing such transactions are also considered.

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In-depth overview
BELGIUM: An Introduction to Corporate/M&A
PRACTICE AREA
 Belgium is mainly an open SME-driven economy with many solid family-owned companies. As a result,...
Simont Braun
Sandrine Hirsch
Authored by Simont Braun, Sandrine Hirsch, Tom Swinnen, Steven Callens, Axel Maeterlinck

1
Band 1
  1. Allen & Overy LLP
    1
    Allen & Overy LLP
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 1 |
    Allen & Overy is a pre-eminent M&A practice in the Belgian market, advising on a range of corporate law matters, including acquisitions, sales and restructurings. The law firm offers an exceptional track record of representing international private equity houses, financial institutions and investors in multi-jurisdictional transactions. Allen & Overy also has prodigious expertise representing Belgian clients from the TMT sector. The team also benefits from the support of colleagues in Allen & Overy's well-ranked banking and competition teams spread across the Brussels and Antwerp offices, as well as its outstanding international network.
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  2. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
    1
    Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 1 |
    Cleary Gottlieb is a market-leading US law firm with a well-established presence in the Belgian market, recognised for its strong reputation assisting a broad client base of blue-chip domestic and international corporates with complex, high-value M&A deals. Cleary Gottlieb is also very popular with both public sector entities and private equity investors. It additionally represents clients in financing rounds, reorganisations and ESG-related governance issues. The Brussels team often acts alongside the firm's other offices internationally to offer clients a comprehensive network on cross-border transactions. The firm has notable recent experience advising on transactions in the insurance and pharmaceutical sectors.
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  3. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    1
    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 1 |
    Freshfields is 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 files. Freshfields further offers market-leading competition expertise to boost its M&A offering.
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2
Band 2
  1. Baker McKenzie
    2
    Baker McKenzie
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 2 |
    Baker McKenzie is a popular choice in Brussels for M&A and private equity transactions. The law firm benefits from its extensive international network to effectively represent clients in complex, cross-border mandates. The team offers considerable expertise acting for clients in the energy, TMT and medical device industries on substantial strategic transactions. Baker McKenzie offers further expertise in advising international private equity houses on transactions involving Belgium.
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  2. Clifford Chance LLP
    2
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 2 |
    The Clifford Chance team is renowned for its extensive experience representing buyers, sellers and company founders in complex, cross-border mandates. The law firm offers substantial experience in transactions involving private equity and institutional investors, with additional expertise acting for financial services clients. Members of the team have particular experience advising on files in the telecoms, energy and biotechnology industries.
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  3. Linklaters
    2
    Linklaters
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 2 |
    Linklaters is a strong choice for international clients, offering considerable experience in cross-border M&A, thanks to the firm's network of global offices. The law firm is able to draw on the expertise of colleagues in areas such as employment and competition, in order to assist a wide range of clients, including major telecommunications and energy companies. The team frequently acts on high-profile public and private M&A transactions, as well as advising on corporate financing and governance mandates.
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  4. Stibbe
    2
    Stibbe
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 2 |
    Stibbe is a highly respected Benelux firm with expertise in transactions involving the healthcare, technology and energy sectors. The law firm offers considerable experience acting for both Belgian and international private equity houses, assisting with a wide range of portfolio acquisitions and sales. Clients benefit from the firm's well-integrated offices across the region on cross-border mandates.
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3
Band 3
  1. ARGO LAW
    3
    ARGO LAW
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 3 |
    ARGO Law is a notable corporate boutique advising both selling and buying parties on a wide range of M&A transactions. The lawyers offer significant experience in auction processes and private equity deals, as well as acting on transactions in the real estate, media and healthcare industries. The team has a strong client portfolio among Belgian investors, assisting with outgoing cross-border deals and fund structuring.
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  2. Eubelius
    3
    Eubelius
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 3 |
    Eubelius is a highly regarded domestic practice advising on a broad range of M&A transactions and restructuring mandates. The corporate team is particularly well regarded for assisting clients with issues of corporate governance and investment fund matters. Members of the law firm also assist clients with corporate financing. Eubelius is particularly well placed to act for publicly listed clients in the real estate and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as state-owned entities.
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  3. Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick
    3
    Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 3 |
    Liedekerke is a strong full-service Belgian firm with substantial capabilities on cross-border transactions. The team acts on an enviable range of matters, including private equity transactions, public M&A, financing rounds and strategic acquisitions. Lawyers from the firm have experience advising clients from the energy and technology industries. Furthermore the firm is frequently called on to act as local counsel for prominent international firms.
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  4. Loyens & Loeff
    3
    Loyens & Loeff
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 3 |
    Loyens & Loeff displays an impressively broad practice, with a particularly prominent client base among investment funds and private equity houses. Clients benefit from the firm's offices throughout the Benelux region, as well as its well-integrated tax offering. The lawyers act for a range of clients, including those from the technology and pharmaceutical sectors. The firm is also a strong choice on international mandates, frequently working with prominent international firms on the Belgian aspects of impressive multinational M&A transactions.
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  5. Van Bael & Bellis
    3
    Van Bael & Bellis
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 3 |
    Van Bael & Bellis is a prominent Belgian competition and trade law boutique offering a solid M&A and private equity team. The team advises a host of Belgian and international companies and private equity houses on cross-border M&A transactions and joint ventures. Lawyers from the firm also frequently assist with restructuring and corporate governance questions.
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4
Band 4
  1. DLA Piper UK LLP
    4
    DLA Piper UK LLP
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 4 |
    DLA Piper offers clients a comprehensive corporate practice, advising on the full scope of corporate work including buy- and sell-side transactions, restructuring and mergers. The team is frequently called on by clients in the pharmaceutical, financial services and telecoms industries. Lawyers at the firm also offer substantial experience advising private equity investors on multi-jurisdictional transactions.
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  2. Jones Day
    4
    Jones Day
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Jones Day is a global firm with a significant footprint in the Belgian corporate market. Lawyers at the firm offer clients expert advice on the structuring of joint ventures and investments in Belgium. The team also assists with the full range of acquisitions, disposals and corporate financing matters, often acting for private equity houses.
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  3. NautaDutilh
    4
    NautaDutilh
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 4 |
    A prominent Benelux firm, NautaDutilh offers clients respectable capabilities across the region on cross-border M&A activity. The team frequently assists private equity investors with their transactions in Belgium. Lawyers at the firm also work for prominent Belgian companies from the energy and pharmaceutical industries, including acting on corporate finance matters.
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  4. QUINZ
    4
    QUINZ
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 4 |
    QUINZ is a prominent Belgian firm with a respectable presence in the corporate market. The team advises on a full range of mandates, including the establishment of joint ventures, cross-border public transactions and private equity investments. Lawyers at the firm frequently act on behalf of clients in the life sciences, financial services and technology sectors.
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  5. Simont Braun
    4
    Simont Braun
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Simont Braun is a strong choice for clients in regulated industries, particularly the financial services sector, as the corporate team works alongside the firm's strong banking regulatory team. The corporate team further advises on transactions in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical and TMT sectors. Lawyers at the firm frequently assist clients with cross-border transactions, as well as acting on corporate governance matters.
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  6. Strelia
    4
    Strelia
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Strelia is well noted for its activity in both cross-border and domestic mid-cap transactions. The team offers experience acting on transactions for clients in the financial services, energy and technology sectors. Lawyers at the firm offer expertise assisting clients with investments, auction sales and commercial agreements.
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  7. White & Case
    4
    White & Case
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 4 |
    International law firm White & Case has a respectable offering in the Belgian market with a particular focus on cross-border mandates, often collaborating with the firm's other offices across the globe. The team advises on both acquisitions and sales, as well as acting on joint ventures, restructurings and private equity transactions. Lawyers at the firm also offer substantial experience in financing rounds and investments for companies in the pharmaceutical sector.
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5
Band 5
  1. ALTIUS
    5
    ALTIUS
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 5 |
    ALTIUS is a recognised practice advising domestic clients on M&A activity, including private equity acquisitions and public auctions. The team also advises on joint venture agreements and funding rounds. Lawyers at the firm act for clients from the technology and manufacturing sectors, as well as representing company founders and owners.
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  2. CMS
    5
    CMS
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 5 |
    CMS enters the rankings following a strong display of client commentary. The team is noted for its expertise in cross-border matters, frequently acting for clients on pan-European acquisitions and divestments. Lawyers at the firm frequently act for international clients, often from France, and are particularly popular with prominent private equity houses and financial institutions. The team also offers significant experience in restructuring mandates.
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  3. contrast
    5
    contrast
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 5 |
    The strong domestic law firm contrast advises both domestic and multinational clients on M&A transactions and corporate governance matters. The team offers additional expertise assisting clients with restructuring and commercial matters. Clients of the firm include companies from the retail, chemicals and financial services sectors. Lawyers at the firm offer further experience in competitive auction processes.
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  4. Cresco
    5
    Cresco
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 5 |
    Cresco Advocaten is a boutique corporate practice best known for its high-quality niche in venture capital transactions, acting for both investors and companies. The team offers substantial experience advising clients from the technology sector, including clients from the fintech and biotech industries. The lawyers act for an impressive array of private equity houses on the structuring and formation of growth-stage investment funds. Team members also represent clients in transactions, including auction processes.
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  5. Deloitte Legal - Lawyers
    5
    Deloitte Legal - Lawyers
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 5 |
    Deloitte Legal is a well-known mid-market practice advising on cross-border M&A transactions alongside the firm's network of international offices. The law firm frequently acts on fund-raising matters involving the pharmaceutical sector. Clients also benefit from the firm's integrated tax team.
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  6. Fieldfisher (Belgium)
    5
    Fieldfisher (Belgium)
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 5 |
    Fieldfisher is a well-regarded firm in the Belgian market with expertise in corporate law. The team advises on a range of acquisitions, sales and corporate restructuring mandates, coordinating with its international offices to provide coverage on cross-border mandates. Lawyers at the firm frequently act for institutional investors, as well as clients in the pharmaceutical, technology and energy industries.
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  7. Laurius
    5
    Laurius
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 5 |
    Laurius is a growing firm on the Belgian corporate law market, with a prominent focus on assisting clients with mid-market transactions. The team frequently acts on both domestic and cross-border transactions, with experience in the pharmaceutical, natural resources and manufacturing sectors. Lawyers at the firm are also a popular choice for both shareholders and investors.
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  8. Monard Law
    5
    Monard Law
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 5 |
    Monard Law offers domestic and international clients notable expertise in Belgian corporate law. With a prominent footing in Antwerp, lawyers at the firm assist clients with restructuring mandates, as well as corporate transactions. The team also frequently acts for shareholders and senior management on commercial agreements and corporate governance questions.
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  9. Van Olmen & Wynant
    5
    Van Olmen & Wynant
    Corporate/M&A
    2023 | Band 5 |
    Van Olmen & Wynant is an independent Belgian law firm with a focus on the mid-market and venture capital transactions. Lawyers at the firm frequently act for notable Belgian clients on multi-jurisdictional transactions and corporate financing mandates. The team offers experience advising shareholders and founders from the IT, telecoms and financial services sectors.
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