AKD > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile
AKD Offices
5, Place du Champs de Mars
1050 Brussels
Belgium
Profiles
AKD > The Legal 500 Rankings
Belgium > Industry focus: Retail Tier 1
As a key division within the firm’s real estate team, AKD's practice is particularly strong in transactional and advisory work involving retail leases, ranging from greenfield leases, to renewing leases to closing sales points. The unit is additionally well positioned to handle lease disputes and other areas of law such as M&A, data protection and tax law. Steven Ongena heads up the team; the trilingual practitioner is frequently sought out by retailers and industrial groups for assistance with real estate transactions. Pol Cools has a strong track record in defending the interests of domestic and international retailers before courts.Practice head(s):
Steven Ongena
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Close working relationship with excellent knowledge of both our industry as well as the legal precedents on similar cases as ours, in combination with a very smart strategic approach.’
‘Steven Ongena takes a very good strategic approach and has an in-depth understanding of what is relevant for the Belgian courts.’
‘Great team to work with. Very knowledgeable lawyers, taking the right approach.’
Key clients
Naos
Footkorner
Hilfiger Stores Belgium (PVH group)
Calvin Klein Stores Belgium (PVH group)
Furla
Claire’s Accessories
Dessange International
Stella Bikes
Retif
Work highlights
- Representing a pan-European multi-brand retailer in a long lease transaction for a multiple floor store at the iconic Meir in Antwerp.
- Assisting a retail financial institution with its Belgian market entry as a regulated entity.
- Representing a famous upmarket department store in setting up a Belgian hub for sales to EU consumers.
Belgium > Real estate and construction Tier 3
AKD‘s real estate and construction practice ‘understands the issues at hand, and is proactive in how to tackle the issues‘. The firm assists domestic and international clients with acquisitions, disposals, and contentious matters. Steven Ongena, who is ‘very professional, patient and understanding‘, and ‘outstanding partner‘ Simon Ceulemans lead the practice, while counsel Pol Cools is a key adviser to corporates and government entities on relocation projects.Practice head(s):
Steven Ongena; Simon Ceulemans
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The individuals were excellent and always going beyond their brief. They knew their job, and easily explained complex legal points in language that was easy to understand and use for our commercial advantage. They knew my team, understood what we needed and guided us through complex legal nuances to achieve a great commercial outcome in challenging negotiations under tight time pressure.’
‘Gives confidence, understands the issues at hand, proactive in how to tackle the issues.’
‘Steven Ongena was very professional, patient and understanding. He was a great communicator and experienced in the matters at hand.’
‘Great team, in particular in real estate.’
‘Simon Ceulemans is an outstanding partner.’
‘Strengths: well familiar with the related law, 100% able to handle needed request. Excellent communication skills with related parties without any dominant language. Moreover “supportive”. Worked with two colleagues resulting in continuity during the need of this advisory route. Extensive way of working with several files (marked, marked for internal and marked for external purposes etc).’
‘Communication skills. Clear instructions and advice. Pleasant to work with. Partner stand-out: Mr. Steven Ongena is friendly, leading, knowledgeable, excellent communication skills with third parties.’
Key clients
Hilfiger Stores Belgium
Calvin Klein Stores Belgium
Claire’s Accessories
Furla
Retif Belgium
Panattoni Development Company
City of Antwerp
Willemen Infrastructure
Ncardia
LEAPPP (a Joint Venture between Federale Verzekeringen and Willemen Infra)
APCO
Jan de Nul
P3 Logistics
Work highlights
- Representing a pan-European multi-brand retailer in a long lease transaction for a multiple floor store at the iconic Meir in Antwerp.
Belgium > Employment Tier 4
AKD‘s employment team serves a growing base of clients in the Benelux region and abroad and is well versed in transactional matters, handling employee transfers, collective dismissals and closures in connection with corporate M&A and restructuring projects. Team lead Julien Hick is an experienced adviser and litigator who manages collective and individual employment issues and regularly defends clients before labour courts. Heleen Franco is also recommended for corporate employment matters.Practice head(s):
Julien Hick
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Collaborators with a high level of HR knowledge and expert advice. Fast and efficient processing of requests. Flexibility.’
‘I believe Heleen Franco is a true asset of the firm.’
‘Very strong end efficient team, very good knowledge of the Belgian market.’
‘Julien Hick struck me as highly professional, rigorous, responsive and imaginative.’
‘Our experience collaborating with AKD is exceptional, the team is always available and ready to support even on very short notice. The combination of Heleen Franco and Julien Hick’s expertise in both employment law and the finance/insurance sector, highly complex areas, enables them to deliver outstanding services. They are both able to provide tailored and comprehensive advice on how to comply with the applicable legal requirements while protecting our interests.’
‘Julien Hick and Heleen Franco frequently exceed our expectations. They always deliver high-quality work. They listen in an active manner, pay attention to details, adapt to changes and always have a very positive and respectful attitude. They have excellent communication skills, responding appropriately and adapting answers to the audience. Ideas are clearly expressed and structured. They are creative, but remain critical. They have strong problem-solving skills, high ethical standards and integrity. Finally and importantly, they are trustworthy.’
‘The Employment practice of AKD, led by Julien Hick is exceptional and by far the best I have ever worked with. Their highly pragmatic client-oriented approach, and availability distinguish them from any other firm. They are a true business partner, put the interest of the client at the centre. I also want to highlight their exceptional availability.’
‘Julien Hick really makes the difference. I have never met such an exceptional and pragmatic employment lawyer.’
Key clients
AG Real Estate
Medtronic
Wasserman
Securitas
Spadel
Ncardia
Allseas
Hyundai Merchant Marine
Chemviron
Auto1 Group
Babyliss
Saksoft
Redevco
Nuxe
Socotec
Dessange
Life Fitness
Sichuan Airlines
Work highlights
- Advised Medtronic on a redundancy exercise.
- Represented AG Real Estate in a TUPE-related dispute against a former employee following the transfer of a business division.
- Advised a multinational insurance company on legal requirements applicable to bonus clawbacks in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 6
The ‘business-oriented’ team at AKD concentrates on mid-market M&A and stands out for its relationships with private equity funds and corporate clients in the tech sector. The team, which handles corporate restructurings, strategic and private equity investments on the buy-and sell-side, and asset purchase agreements, is led by domestic and cross-border M&A specialist Timothy Speelman.Practice head(s):
Timothy Speelman
Testimonials
‘The team is very business-oriented and has a great capacity to deliver tailormade and precise work’
‘Thimothy Speelman: very engaged and available.’
Key clients
ING Belgium
Ncardia
Banque Thaler
CWS International
PureCycle Technologies
Alcadon Group
Dessange
Ansul
Ammega
KIC InnoEnergy
Vitec Software Group
Falfurrias Capital Partners
Youfone
Valsoft
The eCloud Company
Rett Kurs
Vitec Software
Partners@Venture
Work highlights
- Advised Orlando-based PureCycle Technologies on its €250m investment in the NextGen District of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, where PureCycle intends to build its first polypropylene recycling facility in Europe.
- Advised Ncardia on the acquisition of a Cell Therapy Manufacturing Unit from Celyad Oncology SA.
- Advised ING Belgium on a leveraged management buy-out at the level of The Concept Group, providing ERP software solutions for the fashion, retail, hospitality and industry sectors.
Belgium > Banking, finance and capital markets
Belgium > Industry focus: Energy
AKD > Firm Profile
AKD is a leading Benelux law firm with offices in Brussels, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. With a team of 470 committed lawyers, tax lawyers and staff, it delivers high quality legal services based on a full-service approach. Its client base varies from large multinational companies to family-owned businesses, from financial institutions to high net worth individuals, and from the semi-public sector to listed entities.
From our Brussels office, our firm is perfectly positioned to assist any company in the Benelux that is doing business with the rest of the world, or companies from, for example, Asia or the US that are, or want to be, active in the Benelux.
We provide our clients with Belgian, Dutch and Luxembourg legal and tax advice with regard to, for example, corporate and M&A, real estate, IP, ICT, data privacy and security and commercial litigation.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Banking & Finance | Antoine De Raeve | ADeRaeve@akd.eu | +32 2 629 42 63 |
Banking & Finance | Jan Missoul | jmissoul@akd.eu | +32 2629 4286 |
Corporate/M&A | Timothy Speelman | tspeelman@akd.eu | +32 2 629 42 54 |
Employment | Julien Hick | jhick@akd.eu | +32 477 65 80 07 |
Energy | Thomas Chellingsworth | tchellingsworth@akd.eu | +32 2 629 4218 |
EU Law, Procurement Law & Competition | Pieter Kuypers | pkuypers@akd.eu | +31 88 253 5083 |
IP & IP/Data protection & Privacy | Paul van den Bulck | pvandenbulck@akd.eu | +32 2 629 42 39 |
Real estate and Construction | Steven Ongena | songena@akd.eu | +32 2 629 42 28 |
Real estate and Construction | Pol Cools | pcools@akd.eu | +32 2 629 42 16 |
Tax | Werner Heyvaert | wheyvaert@akd.eu | +32 2 629 42 88 |
Tax | Frédéricq Jacquet | fjacquet@akd.eu | +32 2 629 4261 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mr Tom Binder | Lawyer | View Profile | |
Mr Thomas Chellingsworth | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Pol Cools | Counsel | View Profile | |
Mr Antoine De Raeve | Partner | View Profile | |
Ms Christine Delagaye | Counsel | View Profile | |
Ms Heleen Franco | Lawyer | View Profile | |
Ms Nikee Groot | Lawyer | View Profile | |
Mr Werner Heyvaert | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Julien Hick | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Joost Houdijk | Counsel | View Profile | |
Mr Frédéricq Jacquet | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Pieter Kuypers | Partner | View Profile | |
Ms Nathalie Locht | Lawyer | View Profile | |
Mr Jan Missoul | Counsel | View Profile | |
Mr Steven Ongena | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Timothy Speelman | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Paul van den Bulck | Partner | View Profile | |
Ms Marilou van der Feltz | Lawyer | View Profile |
AKD > Firm Profile
AKD is a leading Benelux law firm with offices in Brussels, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. With over 500 committed lawyers, tax lawyers and staff, it delivers high quality legal services based on a full-service approach. Its client base varies from large multinational companies to family-owned businesses, from financial institutions to high-net-worth individuals, and from the semi-public sector to listed entities.
From our Brussels office, our firm is perfectly positioned to assist any company in the Benelux that is doing business with the rest of the world, or companies from, for example, Asia or the US that are, or want to be, active in the Benelux.
We provide our clients with Belgian, Dutch and Luxembourg legal and tax advice with regard to, for example, corporate and M&A, employment, real estate, IP, ICT, data privacy and security and commercial litigation.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Banking & Finance | Antoine De Raeve | ADeRaeve@akd.eu | +32 2 629 42 63 |
Banking & Finance | Jan Missoul | jmissoul@akd.eu | +32 2629 4286 |
Corporate/M&A, Private equity | Timothy Speelman | tspeelman@akd.eu | +32 2 629 42 54 |
Employment | Julien Hick | jhick@akd.eu | +32 477 65 80 07 |
Energy | Thomas Chellingsworth | tchellingsworth@akd.eu | +32 2 629 4218 |
EU law, Competition & Regulation, Public procurement, International litigation | Pieter Kuypers | pkuypers@akd.eu | +32 496 12 21 94 |
IP & IT, Data protection & Privacy, Compliance & Integrity | Paul Van den Bulck | pvandenbulck@akd.eu | +32 2 629 42 39 |
Real estate and Construction, Commercial contracting, Litigation | Steven Ongena | songena@akd.eu | +32 473 25 42 28 |
Real estate and Construction, Commercial contracting, Litigation | Pol Cools | pcools@akd.eu | +32 2 629 42 16 |
Tax | Werner Heyvaert | wheyvaert@akd.eu | +32 474 01 13 63 |
Tax | Frédéricq Jacquet | fjacquet@akd.eu | +32 2 629 4261 |
Press Releases
AKD expands its EU law, Competition & Regulation practice in Belgium with partner Koen Platteau
11th July 2024 AKD has strengthened the firm’s EU, Competition & Regulation practice with the addition of Koen Platteau.AKD expands Banking & Finance practice in Luxembourg with partner Nicolas Bonora
8th July 2024 AKD has taken on Nicolas Bonora to strengthen its Banking & Finance practice in Luxembourg.AKD appoints new partners and counsel
8th July 2024 AKD has appointed three new partners and once new counsel.AKD strengthens its energy practice with the arrival of Thomas Chellingsworth, Christine Delagaye and Laura Pellens
8th December 2023 AKD has recruited a leading energy team to strengthen its energy practice. Hiring this team, consisting of partner Thomas Chellingsworth, counsel Christine Delagaye and associate Laura Pellens, underscores AKD's focus on the energy and climate transition and its commitment to supporting energy players in the challenges they will face over the decades ahead.AKD elects new board
13th September 2023 AKD has elected a new board. Carlos Pita Cao and Jan Kromhout have joined the board, with Carlos succeeding Erwin Rademakers as the firm's managing partner.AKD expands tax practice in Belgium with the appointment of Frédéricq Jacquet as partner
12th July 2023 AKD has taken on Frédéricq Jacquet for its tax practice as of 3 July 2023.AKD welcomes five new partners
6th June 2023 AKD has announced the appointment of five new partners in its Dutch and Luxembourg offices. Managing partner Erwin Rademakers: "We are immensely proud to have witnessed the strong growth of these new partners over the past few years.AKD expands Belgian Banking & Finance capabilities with lateral partner Antoine De Raeve
12th May 2023 AKD announces that Antoine De Raeve has joined the firm’s Belgian Banking & Finance team on 1 May 2023.AKD further strengthens its Corporate & M&A practice with the hire of Wouter Kros as a partner
10th June 2022 Leading law firm AKD Benelux Lawyers welcomes Wouter Kros as partner into its Corporate / M&A practice as of 1 June 2022. Wouter joins AKD from Loyens & Loeff, where he worked for 14 years covering M&A work for public and private companies. He has a strong track record of domestic and cross-border transactions where he has acted for clients including financial sponsors and corporates.Ludo Luijks joins AKD’s M&A Tax team
14th December 2021Benelux firm AKD appoints partners: Passing the baton to the next generation
4th June 2021 AKD Benelux lawyers has appointed five new partners, four of them "home-grown”, managing partner Erwin Rademakers clarifies. “It gives immense pleasure to see colleagues developing and, as next-generation partners, contributing to building the future of our firm.”AKD continues to expand in Brussels: Julien Hick appointed employment law partner
9th March 2021 AKD Benelux lawyers is delighted to announce the appointment of Julien Hick as partner in Brussels.Yann Hilpert appointed partner at AKD in Luxembourg
15th February 2021 AKD Benelux lawyers is delighted to announce the appointment of Yann Hilpert as partner in Luxembourg.Conny Staudt takes on partnership at AKD Benelux lawyers, “back to her roots”
16th November 2020 Pieter Huys, who leads the team, comments: “We are thrilled to welcome Conny at AKD. Coming at a time where flexible employment has become a hot topic, her expertise in this field neatly complements our own expertise. Earlier this year, the Balanced Labour Market Act (Wet Arbeidsmarkt in Balans) came into force, the purpose of which Act is to make flexible employment less flexible and steady employment less steady. We find that this new legislation has given rise to many questions from our clients, duly aggravated by the uncertainties thrown up by the Covid-19 crisis. Conny's expertise and experience add real value to our team”.AKD adds six new partners to Benelux footprint
15th June 2020AKD has appointed six new partners in Belgium and the Netherlands. Following the appointment of three new partners in Luxembourg earlier this year, AKD thus further increases its Benelux footprint.
Benelux law firm AKD expands with McGuireWoods’ Brussels team
18th December 2018Benelux law firm AKD expands its Brussels office by adding McGuireWoods’ Brussels team, following AKD’s strategy to be the first choice full-service legal and tax services provider in the Benelux. The incoming team consists of partners Hubert André-Dumont, Paul van den Bulck, Timothy Speelman, Steven Ongena, counsel Pol Cools, and four associates.
- Industry focus: Retail
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Real estate and construction
Firm Rankings
- Industry focus: Energy