Stibbe

TMT (Technology Media Telecommunications); Compliance and Sanctions, Data Protection, Information Technology, Intellectual Property, 

Partner

Erik Valgaeren specialises in legislation and regulations regarding IT, internet, e-commerce, e-communications, privacy, digitisation and new technologies. He also has a wealth of experience in all intellectual property aspects of the aforementioned specialisations and a thorough knowledge of the technical aspects relating to communication. In addition to providing legal advice on legislation and regulations, Erik drafts contracts and handles projects concerning web services, outsourcing, cloud services, system integration, software implementation, data management and privacy, artificial intelligence and innovation partnerships. In the field of communications law, Erik advises both traditional telecom operators and suppliers of infrastructure services and new media and social network services. He also litigates before courts and arbitral tribunals. Erik has extensive experience in arbitration and is regularly involved as an arbitrator for Cepina.

Dutch, French, English, German, Spanish

Member of the editorial staff (2009–present) and chief editor (2015–2020) of Computerrecht, the Belgian-Dutch law journal of Kluwer on ICT law Member of the Technology Committee of the International Bar Association (2005–present), Secretary and Treasurer (2009–2010), Vice-Chair (2011), Co-Chair (2012–2013), Chair of the LPD Task Force on government access to IT systems (2017–2019 ) Member of Beltug, the Belgian Association of Digital Technology Leaders Board member of the Order of Flemish Bars (OVB); responsible for digitalisation and GDPR

Graduated in Law, magna cum laude, from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (1990) Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Chicago Law School, United States (1991) Associate in the Washington D.C. and Brussels offices of an international law firm; advised foreign companies on US trade sanctions law; member of international trade group (1991–1992) Admitted to the New York Bar in 1992; admitted to the Brussels Bar in 1993; admitted to the Luxembourg bar in 2018 With the Brussels office of Stibbe since 1993 (Partner since 2001) Education in Computer Management from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (2000) Visiting professor ICT law at Solvay Brussels School (2015–2020) Visiting professor internet law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg (2016–2020) Guest lecturer in blockchain and smart contracts at the Faculty of Law of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (2018–2020) Postgraduate degree in Data Analytics from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (2020)