International & Cross-Border Capabilities | Global

A premier international law firm, A&O Shearman in Belgium is identified as a standout choice in the market for handling cross-border matters. Based in Brussels and Antwerp, the law firm has established a strong presence in the market and routinely collaborates with the firm's wider global network, acting on Belgium law aspects of inbound deals. The law firm is also recognised for its ability to lead multi-jurisdictional outbound deals, coordinating with the law firm's global offices as well as with local co-counsel. The team is particularly strong in the European context, aided by its close links with its UK hub. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Linklaters' Belgium team is one of the best equipped in the jurisdiction to coordinate cross-border work, collaborating efficiently with teams in the law firm's international network to deliver an integrated seamless service. From its offices in Brussels and Antwerp, the law firm frequently leads complex international mandates, and clients benefit from its expertise in multiple jurisdictions. With an impressive client following including major international corporations and financial institutions, Linklaters has a strong track record advising clients on inbound as well as outbound mandates, making the law firm a top-tier choice for handling cross-border matters.

Clifford Chance has particular expertise in financial and corporate areas, possessing a strong track record in advising international clients on impressive multi-jurisdictional deals that comprise European, US and global aspects. The law firm too hosts a competent competition team in Belgium, which often works on global merger control topics. Alongside its transactional strengths, Clifford Chance also demonstrates adept contentious capabilities, frequently advising Belgian and international financial institutions and corporate clients on cross-border commercial litigation.

Loyens & Loeff has established itself as a go-to law firm in the Benelux region, demonstrating a strong command of Belgian, Dutch and Luxembourgish law across its practices. The Brussels office coordinates frequently with hubs in the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and collaborates with other teams across its international network of strategically located offices across Europe, Asia and North America. The team has the capacity to handle both outbound and inbound mandates, combining an in-depth knowledge of the local market with extensive global expertise.

Baker McKenzie has respected teams across a number of transactional areas, and the key pillars include banking and finance, corporate M&A, capital markets and tax. These areas drive a high quantity of international work for an impressive array of Belgian and international financial institutions and corporations, including clients from the life sciences and consumer goods industries. The teams in Antwerp and Brussels act both as co-counsel on inbound deals and as lead counsel on outbound mandates, providing solid insight on EU law and competition matters.

Widely regarded as a transactional powerhouse, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's Brussels office is an excellent option for handling multi-jurisdictional matters given its strong international practice. Hailed for its effective collaboration with offices across its international network, the Belgian team has particularly strong links to its London hub and offers top-tier English law expertise in line with its strategy. The law firm has the capacity to advise clients on inbound matters and is instructed by clients who wish to expand their business overseas, as lead counsel.

Stibbe is a highly regarded Benelux law firm with excellent international and cross-border capabilities. The Brussels office is well embedded in the market, and its agile, multidisciplinary team serves clients' Belgian and international requirements and effectively leverages the law firm's international network. Alongside offices across the Benelux region, Stibbe has an office in London and regularly works in conjunction with teams across the international platform, taking on roles on both inbound and outbound mandates. The law firm has a strong track record of collaborating with other leading firms, having built effective and non-exclusive relationships to deliver for clients across markets.

Jones Day's office in Brussels is known to coordinate cross-border matters, utilising the law firm's expansive international network that spans North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. The international law firm has competent teams across disputes, corporate M&A and banking and finance areas, and Jones Day's capacity to manage complex multi-jurisdictional matters is an attractive proposition. The team frequently advises on Belgian law aspects for a diverse range of multinational clients, and is known to leverage its international network by collaborating with colleagues across the globe.

Well established in the local market, Liedekerke maintains an excellent reputation and provides a full-service offering in transactional and contentious areas. The law firm has particular strength in dispute resolution, an area in which teams serve an increasing demand of cross-border matters. Liedekerke is also well regarded for its corporate M&A, capital markets and banking and finance capabilities, often providing guidance on multi-jurisdictional matters. The team has the capacity to lead international mandates for domestic clients wishing to expand their operations abroad and advises international clients who have business interests in the local market on local law.