Loyens & Loeff Belgium ranked in The Legal 500 EMEA
The Legal 500 EMEA has published its rankings for 2020. We are glad to reaffirm our position as leading business law firm in Belgium with top rankings throughout our practice areas.

Ranked departments and lawyers
We would like to share with you that The Legal 500 EMEA has published its rankings today. The legal directory provides researched coverage of 88 countries and over 2,700 ranked law firms.
The most notable results in this edition are:
- Tax, Energy and Food reaffirm their Tier 1 position,
- Thomas Chellingsworth, Christian Chéruy, Natalie Reypens, Hakim Boularbah and Marc Vermylen are recognised as 'Leading Individuals',
- Koen Panis, Ariane Brohez, Wim Vande Velde, Kris De Schutter, Robrecht Coppens, Olivier van der Haegen are ranked as 'Next Generation Partners',
- Stéphanie De Smedt, Christine Delagaye and Godfried Ampe are ranked as 'Rising Star'.
What clients and peers say about us:
- Tax – Tier 1
Loyens & Loeff's team provides standalone advice on the full range of domestic and international tax matters for clients in industries such as energy, real estate, retail, automotive and food and drink, among others. It also works closely with other departments, such as corporate, real estate, banking and finance, and employment. With this multidisciplinary approach the firm provides transactional support and also assists with state aid cases and corporate investigations. It also has a strong capability in the transfer pricing arena, where practice head Natalie Reypens leads a specialist group advising on transfer pricing policies, the set-up and conversion of business models, restructurings, profit allocation to permanent establishments and disputes. Xavier Clarebout is experienced in the tax aspects of corporate restructurings, M&A and structured finance transactions, among other areas. Saskia Lust and Nicolas Bertrand specialise in advising high-net-worth individuals and families on wealth optimisation techniques. Bertand was part of a cross-office team which assisted a client with the restructuring of its intragroup financing and treasury activities. Other key figures include Christian Chéruy, who leads the Belgian tax controversy and litigation group, Marc Dhaene, Bert Gevers and senior associate Aldo Engels.
Leading individuals: Christian Chéruy & Natalie Reypens
- Industry focus: Energy – Tier 1
The energy team at Loyens & Loeff is noted for its particular strength in renewable energy projects, and is regularly instructed on offshore wind farm developments. The group benefits from a multidisciplinary team, which handles transactional work, and also leverages the firm's wider regulatory, banking, administrative, competition and corporate experts; the group recently advised Northwester 2 on its offshore wind farm in the Belgian part of the North Sea. In addition to assisting developers and financial institutions with energy sector construction projects, the team also handles regulatory matters and disputes. Practice head Thomas Chellingsworth and senior associate Christine Delagaye are key names to note and attract praise for being 'solution-driven lawyers'.
Leading individual: Thomas Chellingsworth
Rising star: Christine Delagaye
Testimonials: 'Thomas Chellingsworth and Christine Delagaye are solution-driven lawyers, which facilitates deal-making.'
- Industry focus: Food – Tier 1
The multidisciplinary food and beverages practice at Loyens & Loeff counts Ferrero Benelux, Mondelez and Dawn Foods among its clients. The group advises on a range of issues including regulatory, IP, corporate and real estate matters and is jointly led by Bert Gevers and Kris De Schutter in Brussels, who focus on tax and employment law respectively. The group also benefits from the ability to work closely with its offices across the Benelux region.
- Banking, finance and capital markets – Tier 2
Loyens & Loeff is a strong choice for cross-border financing transactions, with its Benelux presence and ability to provide related support on regulatory and tax issues enabling it to win high-end work. The Brussels team is led by Marc Vermylen, who has a wealth of experience of secured and asset-based lending, project finance, securitisations, derivatives and debt restructuring. Vermylen is also sought out for his knowledge of Euroclear-related matters and settlement work. He works alongside Koen Panis, who has extensive expertise in real estate finance and PPP transactions. The firm has particularly made a name for itself in the renewable energy sector; Vermylen has led the advice to clients on the financing aspects of all offshore wind parks (which have reached a financial close) in Belgium to date. Recent highlights included him and others acting for 17 lenders on the development, construction and financing of SeaMade’s two offshore wind farm projects in the Belgian North Sea. In addition, the team also assisted Northwester 2 with securing the €700m financing for a 218.5 MW offshore wind farm. Senior associates Eveline Hellebuyck, Jan Missoul and Sarah Libregts are also recommended. Vanessa Marquette joined from Simont Braun.
Leading individual: Marc Vermylen
Next Generation Partner: Koen Panis
Testimonials: 'Marc Vermylen and Jan Missoul are excellent in getting things done and managing complex negotiations with numerous parties involved.'
- Commercial, corporate and M&A – Tier 2
The 'dedicated and efficient' corporate and M&A team at Loyens & Loeff has 'strong technical skills' and 'a high-level of expertise and broad experience in corporate matters, especially cross-border transactions'. Practice head Grégoire Jakhian attracts praise for being 'an outstanding lawyer' with particular expertise in the aviation and energy sectors, while Wim Vande Velde is frequently instructed in transactions in the real estate sector. Other names to note include Robrecht Coppens, who is particularly active in the start-up and venture capital space, and counsel Godfried Ampe, who specialises in cross-border corporate structuring issues, governance matters and transactions. The group benefits from the addition of Vanessa Marquette who joined from Simont Braun and has experience handling real estate, banking and insurance sector M&A.
Next Generation Partner: Wim Vande Velde
Rising Star: Godfried Ampe
Testimonials:
'They articulate information in a very detailed way and fast way. They have prepared very nice documents for our inquiries. A very professional and prompt team.'
'They are even proactively guiding us on matters without us knowing about the legal changes in Belgium.'
'They have been one of the firms we use from time to time especially for M&A transactions in Europe. They have also provided general advice to our operations and helps us understand and fulfil the regulatory requirements.'
‘Very good understanding of client’s needs. Available and reactive. Ability to comply with client’s deadlines. Very good knowledge of Belgium corporate law. Pragmatic.'
'Compared to other firms, L&L have a practical knowledge and approach that makes sense to business people, not just to lawyers.'
'Robrecht Coppens is extremely smart, very knowledgeable and he gave the right guidance to resolve an issue in between partners.'
'Nils Vermeulen is hardworking, very smart and result-oriented person.'
'Grégoire Jakhian has very broad experience, is a very good listener. His advices are very valuable.'
'Aubry Daerden is a promising lawyer. Efficient and responsive.'
'Robrecht Coppens is extremely intelligent, highly experienced and very responsive. Importantly for a U.S.-based client, his English is perfect, both in legal terms and in business terms.'
- Dispute resolution – Tier 2
Hakim Boularbah's group at Loyens & Loeff reports an uptick in instructions involving class actions, alongside handling high-profile arbitration matters. In the latter space, the team is acting for the National Bank of Kazakhstan in a challenge to a third party garnishment order; this forms part of an ongoing dispute with two Moldovan investors regarding an arbitral award. In January 2020 Olivier van der Haegen was promoted to partner.
Leading individual: Hakim Boularbah
Next Generation Partner: Olivier van der Haegen
- Employment – Tier 2
Filip Saelens heads Loyens & Loeff's employment team, which stands out for its 'pragmatic and fast advice'. Restructurings, employee benefits, transactional support matters and business migration issues have been prominent in the group's workload. Kris De Schutter is also noted.
Next Generation Partner: Kris De Schutter
- Real estate and construction – Tier 2
Loyens & Loeff is 'very knowledgeable in Belgian real estate'; high-value transactions and acquisitions are core strengths of the practice. The 'outstanding' Christophe Laurent leads the team, in which Ariane Brohez is a name to note.
Next Generation Partner: Ariane Brohez
- Private equity – Tier 2
The private equity team at Loyens & Loeff handles a range of M&A and corporate transactions, as well as fund formations and the regulatory aspects of deals. It is frequently instructed on cross-border matters and receives referrals from international law firms; in a recent transaction, led by practice head Grégoire Jakhian, the group acted for UK-based private equity company Equistone Partners Europe on its sale of France-based manufacturer Averys to Blackstone Group. Other names to note include Wim Vande Velde, who has particular experience in the real estate and private equity sectors, and newly promoted partner Robrecht Coppens, who leads the start-up and venture capital team.
Next Generation Partner: Robrecht Coppens
- Not-for-profit – Tier 2
Fielding experts across all relevant areas of law, Loyens & Loeff has become a destination firm for many European institutions, and large associations and foundations across a multitude of industries. Corporate partner Grégoire Jakhian, and associates Mélanie Schollaert and Barbara Albrecht, assisted Paris-based Meridiam SAS with forming a public utility foundation known as Africa Infrastructure Fellowship Program (AIFP), which contributes to the improvement and promotion of infrastructure projects across Africa and supports the continent's economic growth. Jakhian, who heads up the not-for-profit practice, also leads the specialist aviation team. In addition, he has expertise in areas such as manufacturing and energy, among others. Jakhian, tax expert Nicolas Bertrand and others provide ongoing assistance to a NGO with a wide range of matters, including GDPR, contract reviews and debt recovery.
- EU regulatory: Privacy and data protection – Tier 3
The team at Loyens & Loeff provides 'hands-on advice' to clients drawn from the technology, financial services, construction, healthcare and retail sectors on GDPR compliance matters, data transfers and data breaches. Filip Saelens, Rotterdam-based Kim Lucassen and senior associate Stéphanie De Smedt ('reliable and accurate') are the key names.
Rising Star: Stéphanie De Smedt
- Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences – Tier 3
The healthcare and life sciences group at Loyens & Loeff fields individuals from several practice groups and advises on employment, tax, regulatory, soft IP, public law and corporate matters. Employment and benefits specialist Filip Saelens heads up the team with senior associate Stéphanie De Smedt, who has particular expertise in privacy and data protection issues.
- Insolvency and restructuring – Tier 3
Loyens & Loeff's cross-departmental insolvency and restructuring team has experience acting on the full range of transactional work and litigation relating to companies in financial distress. The practice has particular expertise in financial restructurings and benefits from the group's experience in structured finance work, securitisations and regulated markets. Counsel Laurent Mertens leads the practice.
The Legal 500 EMEA
Since 1991 The Legal 500 EMEA provides readers with an annually updated, impartial, third-party opinion on the leading law firms and lawyers in countries across the region.
Marc 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.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.comHakim 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.comSaskia Lust
Partner Attorney at LawSaskia Lust is a partner in our Brussels office. She co-heads the Family Owned Business & Private Wealth Team in Belgium. She focuses on international asset structuring.
T: +32 2 700 10 27 E: saskia.lust@loyensloeff.comThomas Chellingsworth
Partner Attorney at LawThomas Chellingsworth is a local partner in our Brussels office. He is recognised as a leading energy law expert, with extensive experience of electricity and gas projects and litigation. He heads our Energy & Utilities and Competition & Regulatory Teams.
T: + 32 2 743 43 43 E: thomas.chellingsworth@loyensloeff.comRobrecht Coppens
Partner Attorney at LawRobrecht Coppens is a partner in the Corporate and M&A Practice Group in Belgium and heads the firm’s multidisciplinary and cross-office Startup Team.
T: +32 2 700 10 12 E: robrecht.coppens@loyensloeff.comBert Gevers
Partner Attorney at LawBert Gevers is a local partner in our Brussels office. He heads of the Loyens & Loeff Indirect Tax Practice Group in Belgium, is a core member of the Corporate Investigations Team and co-heads the Food and Beverages Team.
T: +32 2 743 43 18 E: bert.gevers@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.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.comAriane Brohez
Partner Attorney at LawAriane is a member of the Loyens & Loeff Real Estate Practice Group in Belgium and of the Investment Management/Funds Team. She is a partner in our Brussels office with a broad practice of counselling in real estate transactions and taxation.
T: +32 2 743 43 21 M: +32 495 21 26 59 E: ariane.brohez@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.comChristophe Laurent
Partner Attorney at LawChristophe heads the Loyens & Loeff Real Estate Practice Group in Belgium and is a member of the Investment Management/Funds Team. He is a partner in the Brussels office with a broad practice of counselling in real estate transactions and taxation.
T: +32 2 743 43 05 M: +32 476 39 06 90 E: christophe.laurent@loyensloeff.comMarc Dhaene
Partner Attorney at LawMarc Dhaene is a member of the International Tax Services Practice Group and of the Tax Controversy and Litigation Team. His expertise covers a broad range of international and domestic corporate tax issues.
T: +32 2 743 43 22 E: marc.dhaene@loyensloeff.comNicolas Bertrand
Partner Attorney at LawNicolas Bertrand is a partner in our Brussels office. He co-heads the Loyens & Loeff Family Owned Business & Private Wealth Practice Group in Belgium.
T: +32 2 773 23 46 E: nicolas.bertrand@loyensloeff.comWim Vande Velde
Partner Attorney at LawWim Vande Velde is a local partner in the Corporate and M&A Practice Group in Belgium. He has extensive experience in national and international M&A transactions for both listed and non-listed companies, as well as in corporate restructuring.
T: +32 2 743 43 96 E: wim.vande.velde@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.comGrégoire Jakhian
Partner Attorney at LawGrégoire Jakhian heads the Corporate and M&A Practice Group, the Aviation team, the French Desk and the Non-profit team in Belgium. Grégoire has extensive experience in cross-border M&A transactions, take-over bids, corporate finance dispute resolution (including arbitration) and civil law.
T: +32 2 743 43 54 E: gregoire.jakhian@loyensloeff.comOlivier van der Haegen
Partner Attorney at LawOlivier van de Haegen, attorney at law, is Partner and member of the Litigation & Risk Management practice group in our Brussels office. He is experienced in dispute resolution, and focuses on international commercial arbitration. He is also a member of the firmwide Restructuring & Insolvency Team and of the France Region Teams.
T: +32 2 773 23 52 E: olivier.van.der.haegen@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.comStéphanie De Smedt
Senior associate Attorney at LawStéphanie De Smedt, attorney-at-law, is a member of the Litigation & Risk Management practice group in our Brussels office. She is head for Belgium of the IP/IT Team, the Data Protection Team and the Life Sciences Team.
T: +32 2 773 23 77 E: stephanie.de.smedt@loyensloeff.comChristine Delagaye
Senior associate Attorney at LawChristine Delagaye is a member of the Loyens & Loeff Corporate & M&A Practice Group in Belgium and a member of the Energy & Utilities and Competition & Regulatory Teams. She is a senior associate in our office in Brussels.
T: +32 2 743 43 61 M: +32 4 76 97 46 41 E: christine.delagaye@loyensloeff.comGodfried Ampe
Counsel Attorney at LawGodfried Ampe is a counsel in the Corporate /M&A Practice Group in Belgium with a specific focus on corporate structuring and investment management.
T: +32 2 743 43 27 E: godfried.ampe@loyensloeff.comAldo Engels
Senior associate Attorney at LawAldo Engels is a member of the Loyens & Loeff International Tax Services Practice Group and of the Transfer Pricing Team in Belgium. He is a senior associate in our Brussels office.
T: +32 2 743 43 92 M: +32 4 96 13 76 21 E: aldo.engels@loyensloeff.comEveline Hellebuyck
Counsel Attorney at LawEveline Hellebuyck is a counsel in our Brussels office and a member of Loyens & Loeff’s Banking & Finance practice group in Belgium. She has extensive experience in banking and finance, and financial and regulatory matters.
T: +32 2 743 43 99 E: eveline.hellebuyck@loyensloeff.comJan Missoul
Senior associate Attorney at LawJan Missoul is a member of Loyens & Loeff’s Banking & Finance Practice Group in Belgium and of the Benelux Debt Capital Markets Team. He is a senior associate in the Brussels office.
T: +32 2 773 23 88 E: jan.missoul@loyensloeff.comSarah Libregts
Senior associate Attorney at LawSarah Libregts is a member of the Banking & Finance Practice Group in Belgium and of the Benelux Debt Capital Markets Team. She focuses on asset-based lending and capital markets transactions.
T: +32 2 773 23 40 E: sarah.libregts@loyensloeff.comNils Vermeulen
Senior associate Attorney at LawNils Vermeulen, attorney at law, is a senior associate in the Corporate and M&A Practice Group in Belgium.
T: +32 2 743 43 56 E: nils.vermeulen@loyensloeff.com