The banking and finance offering from Deloitte Legal works within its corporate and finance team, with a focus on transactional finance and financial regulation. It has notable strength regarding sustainable finance, as well as public sector work, and offers expertise regarding innovative structured finance solutions. David Roelens focuses on debt and equity capital markets, co-heading the team alongside Laurent Godts, who has experience advising clients in the insurance and fintech markets.

Testimonials

• ‘The tenure of the team in combination with an open and proactive communication.’
• ‘The Deloitte team is reachable. They know the matter in detail and proactively highlights the most important points.’
• ‘Hands-on, professional and good knowledge.’
• 'Laurent Godts is very reactive and reliable.'
• 'Very good knowledge of the Belgian market, deep insight.'

Leading associates: Laurent Godts

Other key lawyers: Kristof Maresceau, Astrid Delanghe, Sophie Wyckmans

Deloitte Legal’s corporate and M&A team works closely with corporate finance and private client colleagues, as well as Deloitte Tax and Deloitte Accountancy, to handling the full set of transaction documentation. Department head David Roelens focuses his practice on both cross-border and domestic M&A and private equity, supported by Hans Vansweevelt and Véronique Van Eessel, whose corporate finance expertise supports their work in restructurings and M&A.

Deloitte Legal fields an EU and competition team of experts, with experience in the technology, media, transport, and financial services sectors. Team co-heads Wouter Devroe and Richard Steppe have longstanding experience of the market; Devroe is particularly noted for his work as a litigator, and Steppe has notable expertise regarding unfair commercial practices.

Testimonials

• ‘Good understanding of the working of the Belgian Competition Authority. Knowledge about international trends as well.’
• ‘Richard Steppe is client-friendly, very approachable, excellent knowledge about competition law.'
• ‘Richard Steppe is a very efficient project manager. He is a very good listener who understands complex issues quickly, finds pragmatic solutions and is service oriented.’
• ‘They go the extra mile!’
• ‘Richard Steppe is so bright and so talented that he finds solutions when things seem like there is no way forward!’
• ‘Working with Deloitte Legal has been nothing short of a blessing for our small organization. They have provided invaluable counsel and we are grateful for their expertise, kindness, and flexibility.’
  
• ‘We have been especially impressed by how Richard Steppe has advised our organization in negotiations with partners in the USA.'
• 'We are working with Richard Steppe. He has an eye for detail and is very accurate in putting our ideas on paper. We try to keep an open and pragmatic approach on negotiations and contracts and Richard is completely on board with that. His knowledge of legislation allows for creative solutions.'

Deloitte Legal is ‘adept at navigating the complexities of international law’, with a strong disputes practice that handles the full range of litigation for private and corporate clients. Working closely with the international Deloitte network of the firm, the team has developed a strong domestic and international arbitration practice. Jürgen Egger leads the dispute resolution department, advising clients on both civil and criminal cases. Annick Visschers leads the tax dispute resolution practice, and is noted alongside Alain Laurent Verbeke.

Testimonials

• 'Communications and expertise in international family law and death of client (estate/trust/probate) complexities.'
• ‘The Deloitte Legal team excels in mediation-based conflict resolution, bringing a wealth of international legal knowledge to the table.'
• 'They specialise in resolving disputes efficiently without the need for litigation, using a collaborative approach that saves time and resources.'
• 'With deep expertise across various jurisdictions, their team is adept at navigating the complexities of international law, ensuring smooth negotiations and favourable outcomes.'
• 'Their strength lies in their ability to bridge differences between parties from diverse legal systems, offering tailored solutions that align with local regulations while addressing global concerns.'
• ‘In depth knowledge of our company and understanding of our business activities.’
• 'Deloitte has an excellent Dispute resolution practice, with a very professional team leader - Annick Visschers.'

Practice heads: Jürgen Egger, Annick Visschers, Mathieu Ex, Glenn Hansen, Els Van Poucke

Other key lawyers: Alain Laurent Verbeke

Delivering a ‘no-nonsense approach’ with ’immediately usable advice’, the Deloitte Legal people law team draws on its Deloitte network to support clients internationally, with experience across workforce transformation, flexible employment and rewards, international mobility, and social sustainability: the final a particular area of expertise for Stefanie Van de Perre. Clients praise team head Stijn Demeestere’s ‘excellent knowledge’, which spans individual and collective dismissal, corporate restructuring, harmonisation of salary and working conditions, and social compliance. Former co-head Alexis Ceuterick departed the team in April 2024.

Testimonials

• ‘The team spends time in understanding the concrete needs of the client, works hands-on, and is result oriented. They are also good at coordinating and synthesizing the contributions from various international Deloitte teams.’
• ‘No-nonsense approach with immediately usable advice. Clear comments with knowledge of the client's situation and applicable legislation.'
• ‘Stijn Demeestere is pragmatic and to the point. Excellent knowledge ’
• ‘Professional and highly knowledgeable, yet practical. Going 100% for finding workable solutions. Understand the dynamics of the client. Personalised client approach.’
• ‘High quality service of Stefanie Van de Perre. A true expert in terms of labor and social security law. Reachable and fully solution focused, out of the box thinking.’
• ‘The team is led in an exemplary way. Each team member knows and respects their assigned responsibilities. Knowledge is exchanged in an organised way, across the team of consultants but also with the client.'
• ‘Stijn Demeestere has an open, result-oriented approach.'
•  'Karel De Schoenmaeker has a good grip on his team and creates a relaxed and collaborative environment whilst achieving targets on time.’

Other key lawyers: Stefanie Van de Perrel, Karel De Schoenmaeker, Thomas De Donder

Deloitte Legal‘s climate & energy team brings together lawyers from different practice groups and stands out for its expertise in EU regulatory law – including EU environmental law and the transition towards a circular economy. Kathleen De hornois heads up the team and has extensive experience in administrative, environment, urban planning, and real estate law.

Testimonials

• 'Hands-on, solution-oriented and client-focused, looking for what is legally possible (or could become possible with some adaptations).'
• 'There was a good collaboration with the team. The team is open to remarks and is experienced in many different areas. The international Deloitte network is a plus.'

Deloitte Legal’s data protection and privacy team is renowned for its data protection compliance work, advising clients on data ownership, localisation, retention, and transferability matters. Led by Matthias Vierstraete, the practice works closely with other departments of the firm, particularly the M&A and financial services practices. William-Jan Cosemans has expansive expertise across IT matters, and acts for high-profile media, sports, and retail clients.

Deloitte Legal's Belgium-based fraud and white-collar crime team acts for both private and corporate clients in a wide variety of matters, both advisory and litigious. The team regularly assists businesses with risk analysis, compliance and prevention policies, and is also experienced in supporting clients in all phases of a criminal proceeding. The group includes Jürgen Egger, whose broad practice covers criminal defence in cases involving fraud, embezzlement and money laundering; tax expert Annick Visschers; criminal tax litigation specialist Johan Speecke; and Glenn Hansen, who dedicates his time to matters at the intersection of criminal and insolvency law. Liesbeth Saelen is another name to note.

Testimonials

•  ‘They think as if they are part of our team and they know our situation very well.'
• ‘Liesbeth Saelen is always available and knows our situation very well.'

Other key lawyers: Liesbeth Saelen

At Deloitte Legal, the team is well-versed in advising across a broad range of energy matters. Practice head Dominique Vanherck has extensive experience in assisting with public law issues and regulatory work, with a core focus on electricity markets. Firm managing partner Kathleen De hornois is a key practitioner in the group, with solid expertise in assisting with contractual issues concerning energy development and operations.

Testimonials

•  ‘A legal team with knowledge of Belgian law, with the rare practical experience with projects in our sectors. The team has this unique experience and also vast knowledge of Belgian commercial law which provided us with excellent support within our projects.’
• ‘The team is very friendly and hands-on and always provides timely feedback, while openly communicating about expectations.’
• ‘Friendly, hands on, quick responses to the requests made. ’
• ‘Deloitte Legal goes further than the legal analyses and tries to find solutions beyond technical legal aspects.’
• ‘Dominique Vanherck has a very unique set of knowledge and capabilities. She is also very proactive and open minded.’

Other key lawyers: Kathleen De hornois

At Deloitte Legal, key areas of instruction for the team include development and license agreements, product distribution issues, and MDR-related matters. The group is equally strong in assisting with investment work in the life sciences space. Ghent-based practice head Matthias Vierstraete is a key contact for trade mark, patent, and data protection law. In the Brussels office, Christoph Michiels has longstanding experience in assisting medtech and biotech start-up clients with commercial and IP-related work.

Testimonials:

• "The team is experienced and very effective."

Other key lawyers: Christoph Michiels
 

Led by Matthias Vierstraete, the IT practice at Deloitte Legal has comprehensive expertise spanning data life-cycle management, blockchain issues, cybersecurity matters, and personal data processing. Vierstraete has vast experience in the sector, while Willem-Jan Cosemans frequently represents clients across the media, sports, and IT sectors before national and European courts in IP litigation.

Other key lawyers: Willem-Jan Cosemans
 

For one client, what differentiates the practice at Deloitte Legal is its ‘great knowledge of both our specific sector and the legal branch’. The team focuses on work in the audiovisual and sports industries, with expertise in handling complex, multijurisdictional mandates. Leading the team is the ’easily accessible’ Willem-Jan Cosemans, along with Matthias Vierstraete and Yannick Van den broeke. Christoph Michiels is noted.

Testimonials

• ‘Great knowledge of both our specific sector and the legal branch.'
• ‘Willem-Jan Cosemans: knows what is legally possible, but also what is commercially suitable, which makes it a perfect match. Easy accessible.'

Other key lawyers: Christoph Michiels

Deloitte Legal's insolvency and restructuring offering represents both creditors and distressed companies, often working closely with Deloitte’s tax and financial services teams. Jürgen Egger, team head often handles matters arising at the intersection of criminal and insolvency law. Glenn Hansen specialises in restructuring, and regularly advises clients in major insolvency procedures.

Testimonials

• 'Glenn Hansen and Lieselotte Collage were very helpful in representing at a court hearing and providing legal assistance in our matter. Both of them very flexibly and at a short notice started to deal with our matter and solved the problem to our satisfaction. It was pleasure to collaborate with them.’
• ‘Glenn Hansen and Lieselotte Collage were very quickly oriented themselves to our situation. Before the first meeting, they had already found out the current status of the court proceedings on the basis of documents and were proactive in resolving the matter. They came up with new ideas that saved us additional time and financial costs.'
• 'Thanks to the team's experience, the problem was solved. At the same time, they alerted us to other facts that we should take into account in order to avoid possible complications in the future. I really appreciated that they responded to our requests in a short time.’

Other key lawyers: Lieselotte Collage
 

The intellectual property team at Deloitte Legal is recognised for its capabilities in both transactional and advisory IP work, managing the IP portfolios of a wide range of clients. Led by Matthias Vierstraete, who operates across the Ghent and Brussels offices, the team excels in providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary services by collaborating closely with other practice areas, including tax, M&A, and financial advisory. This integrated approach ensures clients receive well-rounded strategic advice on complex IP matters. Willem-Jan Cosemans, a key member of the team, brings significant knowledge of the media and sports industries.

Testimonials

• ‘Great knowledge of both our specific sector and the legal branch.’
• ‘Willem-Jan Cosemans: knows what is legally possible, but also what is commercially suitable, which makes it a perfect match. Easy accessible, even during holidays, weekends etc.'

Other key lawyers: Willem-Jan Cosemans

Deloitte Legal’s customer focused’ private equity practice works within its corporate and M&A team, and leverages the wider team’s life sciences, healthcare, and technology sector expertise to support investors and funds. David Roelens heads the wider practice from Brussels, where Christoph Michiels takes the lead on the team’s scale-up and investor initiatives and Marc Van tieghem is the go-to in Antwerp.

Testimonials

• ‘Very customer focused team. In-depth know-how and excellent response times.’
• ‘Excellent knowledge of our corporate file. Good and immediate support by the Deloitte Legal team.’
• ‘We appreciate the hands-on support by Henri-Simon Vande Vyver and the team's flexibility in our requests. Their good knowledge of our file and practical advice is a significant plus.’

Other key lawyers: Henri-Simon Vande Vyver, Hans Vansweevelt
 

Deloitte Legal’s real estate practice group covers the entire life cycle of property projects, including PPPs, in relation to all real estate asset classes. The firm stands out for its tax expertise in the sector. Practice head Maximilien van de Werve’s areas of specialism include cross-border and local real estate acquisitions and disposals, sales and leasebacks, and development and construction projects. Danny Stas focuses his practice on tax law matters, in particular VAT considerations with respect to real estate transactions.

Testimonials

• ‘Very good team.’
• ‘Good negotiation skills, always looking for a practical solution.’
• ‘Hands-on, skilled and available.’

Deloitte Legal‘s tax practice encompasses Danny Stas and Tim Wustenberghs’ advisory team, Annick Visschers‘ tax controversy solutions group, and Mathieu Ex’s private client team. Its wide-ranging expertise is utilised by both domestic and multinational corporate entities as well as private individuals. For VAT matters, Stas is the go-to, and Wustenberghs specialises in international tax. In the private client space, Ex’s team advises on income tax as well as wealth, gift, and estate taxes. Filip Smet is a key part of the tax controversy team, recommended for contentious matters.

Testimonials

• 'The Deloitte team stands out for its proactive approach to anticipating family developments and consistently monitoring international regulatory changes.'
• 'Mathieu Ex has demonstrated an exceptional ability to connect with our family, skillfully navigating our unique dynamics with diplomacy while consistently upholding the necessary legal frameworks for sound advice.'
• ‘Proactive approach, solution minded, pragmatic.’
• ‘Astrid Peeters is very knowledgeable, pragmatic, solution driven, approachable.’
• ‘Top specialists available.’
• ‘Knowledge of our company and long-lasting co-operation.’
• 'Strong in-house expertise, spread over different specialists.'

Leading partners: Annick Visschers
Next Generation Partners: Filip Smet
Practice heads: Danny Stas, Tim Wustenberghs, Annick Visschers, Mathieu Ex
Other key lawyers: Astrid Peeters, Filip Smet, Alexander Baert

Deloitte Legal‘s practice consists of ’professionals with excellent knowledge in their field’, advising public authorities and major corporates on complex domestic and international transport matters. Advising on public-private partnerships (PPP) in transport is another strength of the practice. Kathleen De hornois leads the team, with experience across administrative law and public procurement. Marc Van tieghem also heads the practice, advising on domestic and cross-border M&A. Wim Naudts often advises clients in the mobility and transport sector.

Testimonials

• ‘Professionals with excellent knowledge in their field.’
  
• 'I would say they are unique due to its specialisation in the specific legal area of transport and related infrastructure, the expertise and reputation of its staff, and a client-centric approach emphasizing personalized service and clear communication.'

Leading partners: Kathleen De hornois
Other key lawyers: Wim Naudts