Janson > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile
Janson Offices
CHAUSSÉE DE LA HULPE 187
1170 BRUSSELS
Belgium
Janson > The Legal 500 Rankings
Belgium > Dispute resolution Tier 2
Janson‘s dispute resolution practice is commended for its ‘multidisciplinary and multilingual approach that is necessary in Belgium and at the border of different cultures’. White-collar crime work is a cornerstone of the team; Céline Masschelein has vast expertise across fraud, forgery, money laundering, and bankruptcy issues. Masschelein is part of the team's leadership, which consists of ‘fierce courtroom fighter‘ Dominique Blommaert, Cédric Alter, and Didier Bracke. Also of note is Lydie Van Muylem, who has extensive knowledge of banking and finance law; she is commended alongside associate Jens Benoot for being ‘client-driven and good practitioners‘.Practice head(s):
Dominique Blommaert; Cédric Alter; Didier Bracke; Céline Masschelein
Other key lawyers:
Lydie Van Muylem; Jens Benoot; Ruth Declerck
Testimonials
‘Janson has the multidisciplinary and multilingual approach that is necessary in Belgium and at the border of different cultures.’
‘Long-lasting collaboration with the same people builds confidence and improves the quality of the advice they give.’
‘One of the largest litigation teams in the Belgian market, and a reference in corporate disputes. Built around Dominique Blommaert, who is the absolute rainmaker of Janson.’
‘Dominique Blommaert: fierce courtroom fighter, strong negotiator. Jens Bennoot: up and coming.’
‘Pragmatic, efficient, complementary, reacting very quickly, always searching for the best solution for clients.’
‘Dominique Blommaert and Ruth Declerck are very reactive, no-nonsense, think out of the box, and are very convincing. The feeling is that they really defend our rights in a very constructive and intelligent way without wasting any time.’
‘A team that is available and responsive. They are to the point and don’t waste time with pointless discussions.’
‘Jens Benoot and Lydie Van Muylem particularly stood out as they are client-driven and good practitioners who know their subject and know how to use the right arguments in litigation matters.’
Key clients
Belfius Bank
KBC Bank
AIG
Banque Degroof Petercam
ING Bank & Record Credits (subsidiary of ING Bank)
Sambrinvest
Banque de Luxembourg
Belfius Lease
Yoshi
Work highlights
- Acting as co-lead counsel to Belfius Bank in the collective action brought by the Arco-shareholders.
- Acting for the former CEO of the Euronext-listed retail fashion group FNG in a dispute with the regulator FSMA, minority shareholders and bondholders.
Belgium > Fraud and white-collar crime Tier 3
The fraud and white-collar crime capabilities at Janson range from assisting clients with investigations to defending them before various courts and authorities, with matters relating to financial fraud, money laundering, and insurance fraud, amongst others. ‘Excellent white-collar crime lawyer’ Céline Masschelein leads the team together with François Koning, who is well-versed in anti-money laundering.Practice head(s):
Céline Masschelein; François Koning
Testimonials
‘Céline Masschelein is an excellent white-collar crime lawyer – combining technical expertise, hard work, and a strong connection with her peers at the white-collar bar. Personal and compassionate.’
‘High-quality firm with well-trained lawyers, active in all kinds of practice areas. I mainly contact them for disputes.’
‘Dedicated experts.’
‘Strong focus on the end result for their clients. A pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
Penninckx
Belfius Lease
Work highlights
- Assisted the former CEO of FNG in his dispute with the regulator FSMA, and the criminal investigation by the investigating judge concerning a range of wrongdoings by FNG, the founders and its advisors.
- Represented a former director of Weghsteen, which collapsed at the end of 2018.
- Represented Belfius Lease as a civil claimant in criminal proceedings regarding a million-dollar fraud concerning green energy certificates.
Belgium > Insolvency and restructuring Tier 3
The team at Janson advises across the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious restructuring and insolvency matters, with a particular focus on handling distressed M&A, advising debtors on pre-insolvency reorganisation and liability management initiatives, and acting in asset recovery claims as well as contentious insolvency proceedings. Cedric Alter leads the team and is well-regarded for his ability to advise distressed companies on preventative restructuring measures. Banking and finance expert Dominique Blommaert is also recommended.Practice head(s):
Cedric Alter
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Llama Group
Hamon
Bioscenic
Work highlights
Belgium > Intellectual property Tier 3
Belgium > Environment Tier 4
Janson maintains an experienced partner group in its public and administrative law department, with the ‘serious, trustworthy‘ Günther L’heureux having joined from Publius in 2023 to lead the practice alongside Dominique Lagasse. The firm frequently handles the environmental aspects of large infrastructure projects, as well as zoning and planning matters, permitting, and soil contamination issues. Jan Ghysels left the team in late 2022.Practice head(s):
Günther L’heureux; Dominique Lagasse
Testimonials
‘Always up to date with the latest legal developments. The team of Günther L’heureux is very hands on and in tune with the needs of our business. ’
‘Günther L’heureux has an in-depth knowledge of the subject and thinks along with the business. He is a very hands on, focused and considerate person – an absolute pleasure to work with. ’
‘Gunther L’heureux is a lawyer with whom you perfectly feel in control: serious, trustworthy, and he knows the client and its needs.’
Key clients
Commune of Kortenberg
Commune of Meise
Commune of Grimbergen
Commune of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert
Urbion BV/SP
Bebat VZW/ASBL
Recupel VZW/ASBL
Recytyre VZW/ASBL
FANC/AFCN
BELfertil VZW/ASBL
Belplant VZW/ASBL
Leefmilieu Brussel
Gazonor Benelux NV/SA
Arla Foods
Janson > Firm Profile
Janson is a multidisciplinary and multilingual business law firm founded in 1950. Today, the firm has around one hundred lawyers, most of whom have completed their university studies with an LL.M or another university degree from Belgium or abroad.
Janson is one of the oldest, largest and most prominent independent business law firms in Belgium. The firm bears the name of Paul Emile Janson, attorney and Prime Minister in Belgium.
With approximately 100 lawyers, Janson provides outstanding multilingual and multidisciplinary services across various industries, allowing clients to obtain the right solutions to their most diverse queries.
As a firm with an international reach, Janson has a proven track record of serving a broad range of domestic and foreign clients with legal agility and business acumen. Throughout its 70 years of existence, our firm has always been praised by clients and peers for its consistent high quality services.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Public and administrative | Dominique Lagasse | d.lagasse@janson.be | |
Banking and finance | Dominique Blommaert | d.blommaert@janson.be | |
Banking and finance | France Wilmet | f.wilmet@janson.be | |
Commercial and company | Marc Dalle | m.dalle@janson.be | |
Commercial and company | Peter Parez | p.parez@janson.be | |
Construction | Jean-Nicolas Pardon | jn.pardon@janson.be | |
Construction | Didier Bracke | d.bracke@janson.be | |
Distribution | Laurent du Jardin | l.dujardin@janson.be | |
Energy, climate change and mobility | Guy Block | g.block@janson.be | |
Insurance and liability | Paul-Henry Delvaux | ph.delvaux@janson.be | |
IP, IT and trade practices | Mireille Buydens | m.buydens@janson.be | |
IP, IT and trade practices | Hans Dhondt | h.dhondt@janson.be | |
Employment | Johan Kerremans | j.kerremans@janson.be | |
Insolvency law | Cédric Alter | c.alter@janson.be | |
Real estate | Jean-Nicolas Pardon | jn.pardon@janson.be | |
Tax | Frédéric Fosseur | f.fosseur@janson.be | |
White collar crime | François Koning | f.koning@janson.be | |
White collar crime | Céline Masschelein | c.masschelein@janson.be | |
Arbitration | Cédric Alter | c.alter@janson.be | |
EU law and competition law | Bruno Lebrun | b.lebrun@janson.be |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Prescillia Algrain | Counsel Prescillia Algrain joined Janson’s Banking and Finance department in 2012, after… | View Profile | |
Cédric Alter | Partner Cédric Alter joined Janson as a partner in September 2007 and… | View Profile | |
Muriel Baudoncq | Partner Muriel Baudoncq joined Janson as a partner in November 2017. She… | View Profile | |
Martine Berwette | Partner Martine Berwette is specialised in intellectual property as well as in… | View Profile | |
Guy Block | Partner With more than thirty years of experience in energy and transport… | View Profile | |
Dominique Blommaert | Partner Dominique Blommaert joined Janson in 1994 and has been partner at… | View Profile | |
Mireille Buydens | Partner Mireille Buydens heads the IP, IT and Trade Practices department of Janson with Hans Dhondt.… | View Profile | |
Johannes Cassiman | Senior Associate Johannes Cassiman advises and assists clients in all aspects of… | View Profile | |
Hans Dhondt | Partner Hans Dhondt is partner at Janson since 2012 en co-heads the… | View Profile | |
Frédéric Fosseur | Partner Frédéric Fosseur specialises in tax law. He advises and represents his… | View Profile | |
Johan Kerremans | Partner Johan Kerremans joined Janson as a partner in 2013. He assists… | View Profile | |
Dominique Lagasse | Partner Dominique Lagasse specialises in advice and litigation in the fields of… | View Profile | |
Bruno Lebrun | Partner | View Profile | |
Mrs Céline Masschelein | Partner at Janson | View Profile | |
Lydie Van Muylem | Counsel Lydie Van Muylem joined Janson in 2010 and has been appointed… | View Profile | |
Stijn Verbeke | Partner Stijn Verbeke is lawyer at the Brussels Bar and started his… | View Profile | |
Kris Wauters | Counsel Kris Wauters has been a lawyer since 1993 and specialises in… | View Profile | |
France Wilmet | Partner France Wilmet joined Janson as a partner in October 2017. She… | View Profile |