Ranked departments and lawyers

We would like to share with you that Chambers & Partners Europe Guide 2021 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, Banking & Finance- Regulatory, Corporate/M&A, Dispute Resolution- Arbitration and Litigation, Employment, Energy, Public Law, Real Estate and Tax

The most notable results in this edition are:

  • Christophe Laurent, Hakim Boularbah and Thomas Chellingsworth are Band 1
  • Tax and Energy hold their Band 1 position
  • Real Estate is now Band 1 

What clients and peers say about us

Ariane Brohez: Band 3 in Real Estate

According to one client, Brohez "can get to the real issue of a subject and understands very quickly," which means that she "has a big added value."

Christian Chéruy: Senior Statespeople in Tax

Christian Chéruy is a distinguished practitioner with substantial experience in withholding tax matters. He handles both contentious and non-contentious tax matters and is frequently sought out by clients in the financial services sector.

Christine Delagaye: Associate to watch in Energy

The "very impressive" Christine Delagaye enters the rankings this year on the back of noteworthy activity in the area of wind farm development projects. She also has experience in litigation proceedings concerning energy regulations.

Christophe Laurent: Band 1 in Real Estate

 A client describes him as "a strong negotiator who is also practical and open to solutions," going on to add: "He always makes himself available despite often having a lot on the table."

Filip Saelens: Band 4 in Employment

Filip Saelens handles the employment and pension aspects of transactions and post-merger harmonisations. He also advises on health and safety matters, as well as on termination packages. An interviewee reports that he is "user-friendly."

Hakim Boularbah: Band 1 in Dispute Resolution - Litigation

One client enthuses that Boularbah is "the best lawyer I've ever met," adding: "He is fully reliable - when he gives you an opinion, you can be sure this is a bulletproof opinion." Another source notes that Boularbah is "absolutely excellent at dispute resolution."

Jan Missoul: Associate to watch in Banking & Finance

One client notes that Missoul is "very hands-on, a good communicator and has good knowledge." Another client describes him as "helpful, proactive and technically excellent."

Koen Panis: Band 4 in Banking & Finance

Koen Panis is praised by clients for his banking and finance knowledge, with one client commenting that he is also "very pragmatic and commercial." Panis assists with acquisition finance, project finance and refinancing.

Kris de Schutter: Band 3 in Employment

A client enthuses that Kris De Schutter "has a very good legal knowledge combined with economic realism and a good view on trends in courts." He advises clients on restructurings, employee benefits and remuneration matters, and complex individual dismissals.

Marc Vermylen: Band 2 in Banking & Finance and band 3 in Capital markets 

A source lauds Marc Vermylen as "number one" for project finance work, while a client reports that he "brings a lot of knowledge and experience to a deal and is a good party to have in your negotiation." As well as advising lenders on project finance, Vermylen also assists with leveraged financing and acquisition financing.

One client praises Vermylen's "deep securitisation knowledge," adding that he is "very commercial and always comes up with solutions to mitigate various legal and structural risks." Another interviewee comments that Vermylen "is great to work with - he is able to clearly explain issues but also present them with solutions to achieve the results clients are looking for."

Natalie Reypens: Band 3 in Tax

Natalie Reypens has notable experience in corporate tax advisory matters, tax audits and tax litigation. She advises on corporate income tax, VAT and transfer pricing matters.

Peter Callens: Band 2 in Dispute Resolution - Arbitration

One market source notes that Callens is "an outstanding figure in arbitration," while another comments: "I think he is very good at pleadings, he is great at advocacy and also he is very practical in the way he deals with things."

Robrecht Coppens: Up and coming in Corporate/M&A

One client praises Coppens for his "no-nonsense and straightforward" approach, adding that he manages to have "a quick comprehension of the problem and an understanding of how to find a practical solution." Another client adds that Coppens is "a great guy to work with."

Thomas Lenné: Band 4 in Corporate/M&A

One client comments: "He is very knowledgeable of his client's needs, with a natural international mindset, which makes him able to anticipate questions and be immediately ready with answers and smart, practical solutions." Another client notes that he is "proactive, business-oriented and very well experienced." He joined Loyens & Loeff in March 2021.

Thomas Chellingsworth: Band 1 in Energy

Clients laud him for being "a very driven lawyer with a lot of useful knowledge, who is straight to the point, analytical, friendly and strategically strong."

Vanessa Marquette: Band 3 in Banking & Finance Regulatory

Vanessa Marquette joined the firm in March 2020. She possesses notable expertise in the financial regulatory sector, including regulatory litigation work. She acts for domestic and international clients and frequently provides assistance with financial services compliance matters.

Valentijn de Boe: Band 4 in Public Law

A client describes him as "the most committed attorney I have had the pleasure to work with," adding that "without his contributions, our commercial success would not have been possible."

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.