Loyens & Loeff ranked in Chambers & Partners Europe Legal Guide 2020
Legal guide Chambers & Partners Europe has published its rankings for 2020. Loyens & Loeff continues its top ranking as leading business law firm.

Ranked departments and lawyers
We would like to share with you that Chambers & Partners Europe Guide 2020 has published its rankings today.
The Chambers Europe Guide ranks lawyers and law firms in 53 jurisdictions across Europe.
Belgium has been ranked in the following practice areas: Banking & Finance, Corporate/M&A, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Energy, Real Estate and Tax.
The most notable results in this edition are:
- Hakim Boularbah holds his Band 1 position as notable practitioner in Dispute Resolution
- Dispute Resolution and Employment went up from Band 3 to Band 2
- Tax and Energy hold their Band 1 position
- Valentijn De Boe has been ranked as ‘Up and Coming’ in Public law
What clients and peers say about us
Thomas Chellingsworth: Band 1 Energy
Clients highlight his "ability to work within short notice," adding that "the knowledge of the evolution of the regulatory framework that he brings is crucial." He represents clients in judicial reviews regarding network access tariffs, as well as assisting with renewable and green energy mandates.
Christian Chéruy: Senior Statespeople in Tax
He is well respected among interviewees as a highly experienced tax partner and a prominent figure within the firm's market-leading team.
Natalie Reypens: Band 3 in Tax
Clients describe Natalie Reypens as a "strategic thinker" and highlight her "long expertise and strong network."
Kris De Schutter: Band 3 in Employment
He is well regarded by market sources who note his ability to "come out with pragmatic and constructive solutions for clients." Clients describe his key strengths as "quality of work, pragmatic approach, fast service and expertise." His practice encompasses international restructuring, flexible reward plans and dismissals.
Filip Saelens: Band 4 in Employment
One client notes: "He always follows up and is engaged personally. He is a fantastic sparring partner for me, helping me to establish fair but business-oriented solutions in our contracts."
Ariane Brohez: Band 3 in Real Estate (First time ranked)
Clients stress that Ariane Brohez "jumps out of the crowd thanks to huge knowledge on almost every domain of real estate."
Christophe Laurent: Band 2 in Real Estate
Clients regard Christophe Laurent as "one of the best specialists in complex structures for transactions."
Hakim Boularbah: Band 1 in Dispute Resolution
According to one commentator, "on a technical level, he is an excellent lawyer and a very good litigator."
Peter Callens: Band 2 in Dispute Resolution: Arbitration
He is "really a very good, sophisticated, hard-working lawyer," remarks one interviewee.
Marc Vermylen: Band 2 in Banking & Finance
Clients recognise him as "pragmatic, efficient and commercially sensible."
Vanessa Marquette: Band 3 in Banking & Finance: Regulatory
She is touted by sources as a "very skilled lawyer."
Koen Panis: Band 4 in Banking & Finance
Clients laud the "solution-driven" lawyer for his "very good technical knowledge."
Valentijn De Boe: Up and Coming in Public Law
He described by one client as "a very pragmatic and hands-on lawyer with experience in public procurement."
Peter Callens: Band 4 in Corporate/M&A
He is highlighted by one client for being "very knowledgeable about the whole utility sector in Belgium."
Chambers & Partners
The Chambers & Partners Europe Guide is a leading guide to the legal profession, offering evaluation and rankings based on objective research through interviews with lawyers and their clients.
Hakim Boularbah
Attorney at Law PartnerHakim Boularbah, attorney at law, heads the Litigation & Risk Management practice group in our Brussels office. He focuses on cross-border litigation and international arbitration. He is also a member of the France Region Team.
T: +32 2 773 23 50 E: hakim.boularbah@loyensloeff.comValentijn De Boe
Partner Attorney at LawValentijn De Boe, attorney at law, is a member of the Public and Administrative Law Practice Group in Belgium and is also a member of the Procurement Team in Brussels.
T: +32 2 773 23 33 E: valentijn.de.boe@loyensloeff.comNatalie Reypens
Partner Attorney at LawNatalie Reypens is a member of the Loyens & Loeff International Tax Services Practice Group and heads the Belgian Transfer Pricing Team. She is a partner in our Brussels office. She focuses on corporate and international tax law.
T: +32 2 743 43 37 E: natalie.reypens@loyensloeff.comChristian Chéruy
Attorney at LawChristian Chéruy is a member of our International Tax Services Practice Group in Brussels. He is also part of the Belgian Tax Controversy and Litigation Team. Christian is a former local managing partner and non-executive Chairman of the Loyens & Loeff Benelux Board.
T: +32 2 743 43 03 E: christian.cheruy@loyensloeff.comKris De Schutter
Partner Attorney at lawKris De Schutter is a partner in our office in Brussels and member of Loyens & Loeff’s Employment & Benefits Practice Group. He has extensive experience in alternative (flexible) remuneration, restructuring and change processes.
T: +32 2 700 10 13 E: kris.de.schutter@loyensloeff.comFilip Saelens
Partner Attorney at LawFilip Saelens is a local partner in our office in Brussels. Filip heads the Loyens & Loeff Employment & Benefits Practice Group in Belgium. He has extensive experience in collective and individual employment law.
T: +32 2 773 23 29 E: filip.saelens@loyensloeff.comAriane Brohez
Partner Attorney at LawAriane Brohez, Partner, is a member of the Real Estate practice group in our Brussels office. She focuses on real estate structuring and taxation, real estate funds and real estate investments.
T: +32 2 743 43 21 M: +32 495 21 26 59 E: ariane.brohez@loyensloeff.comPeter Callens
Of Counsel Attorney at LawPeter Callens is a member of the Corporate and M&A Practice Group in Belgium. He has extensive experience in national and international corporate transactions and post-transaction dispute resolution and is recognised for his expertise worldwide.
T: +32 2 743 43 95 E: peter.callens@loyensloeff.comMarc Vermylen
Managing Partner Belgium Attorney at LawMarc Vermylen is Managing Partner of Loyens & Loeff Brussels. He is a member of Loyens & Loeff’s Banking & Finance Practice Group and heads the global Projects Team at Loyens & Loeff. He is recognised worldwide as an expert and influential lawyer in banking law and finance law.
T: +32 2 743 43 15 M: +32 475 52 31 66 E: marc.vermylen@loyensloeff.comVanessa Marquette
Partner Attorney at LawVanessa Marquette, attorney at law, is a partner in the Banking and Finance Practice Group of our Brussels office and a member of the firmwide Restructuring & Insolvency team. She is recognized for her expertise in Banking and Finance with a focus on international finance law, regulated financial services, sustainable finance and banking litigation.
T: +32 2 773 23 25 E: vanessa.marquette@loyensloeff.comKoen Panis
Partner Attorney at lawKoen Panis is a partner in our Brussels office where he is a member of the Banking & Finance Practice Group, the Energy Team and the Real Estate Team. He specialises in international and local finance transactions.
T: +32 2 773 23 90 M: +32 497 53 38 36 E: koen.panis@loyensloeff.com