Laurius

Arnaud Vanitterbeek is a senior partner at Laurius and a specialist in private M&A, due diligence, corporate restructuring, commercial contracts and shareholder disputes. With a solid knowledge of company law, he advises entrepreneurs and companies from start-up to exit. As a lawyer, Arnaud also gained specific experience in the insurance sector and related transactions. Arnaud handles his cases with great dedication towards his clients. Personal and precise, he respects strict deadlines without exception. Arnaud is recognised as a lawyer for his constant focus and ditto service, always aiming to find pragmatic and innovative solutions.

Ayse Özkan

Ayse Özkan has been reinforcing the ranks of the Laurius corporate department since 2017. In line with her master-after-master’s degree in corporate law, she supports entrepreneurs and companies in all matters of corporate and commercial law. Acquisitions and restructurings are her key focus. Personal, committed and accessible: this is how Ayse and her colleagues strive for excellence in every case. As a lawyer, Ayse aims for a constructive and pragmatic solution, which is also the best outcome for the client. Priority? Building a long-term cooperation with her clients, based on knowledge, experience and mutual trust.

Bert Luyten

Bert Luyten is co-founder of Laurius. With more than 25 years’ experience, he provides legal support to companies and investors in complex contractual, company and financial disputes. Belgian case or international top dossier: Bert goes beyond expectations and is a specialist in dispute resolution and litigation before courts and arbitral tribunals. Together with Dirk Wellens, Bert created Laurius as a reference firm in the field of corporate law, M&A, private equity, real estate and corporate and financial litigation. His client-oriented focus and constant search for excellence set the office standards exceedingly high. Bert translates his years of experience and know-how into complete, concrete conclusions. Strategically underpinned, instantly applicable in day-to-day practice.

Caroline Wildemeersch

Caroline Wildemeersch is a senior partner at Laurius and specialises in the national and cross-border takeover and transaction practice. Private equity, venture capital, financing, (dis)investments, distressed transactions, … Caroline listens, analyses, advises and guides Belgian and international companies, financial institutions and investment funds with strong know-how and over two decades of experience. Complex transaction or challenging corporate law issue: Caroline goes the extra mile for her clients. Her goal? Achieving efficient and effective results through understandable advice and targeted negotiations.

Christina Trappeniers

With a passion for corporate and real estate law, senior partner Christina Trappeniers assists companies and funds in various cases, both at home and abroad. Her specialisation? Mergers and acquisitions, private equity and real estate transactions. Apart from a master’s degree in law, Christina also obtained a master’s degree in company law, followed by an MBA at Solvay Business School. Enterprising, experienced and with a particularly broad know-how. Before Christina became a senior partner at Laurius, she co-founded Ambos. Today she co-chairs the corporate and real estate department at Laurius, where she advises and assists clients in word and deed. Christina has over 20 years of experience in advising Belgian and international companies, investment and real estate funds. As a lawyer, she successfully managed various M&A projects concerning residential care centers, a legal niche in which she has built up special expertise throughout her career.

Damien Stas de Richelle

Damien Stas de Richelle, senior partner at Laurius, has been a lawyer since 1997. As the head of the labour law department, he has particularly broad expertise in labour and social security law. He has a strong preference for collective labour law, supporting employers in social negotiations with employee representatives and trade unions. Damien is also a deputy judge at the French labour court in Brussels.

David Ryckaert

David Ryckaert is a senior partner at Laurius and is internationally renowned for his extensive knowledge of M&A, venture capital and corporate litigation. As one of the leaders of the corporate team, he advises family shareholders, industrial buyers and private equity funds on transactions in Belgium and abroad. Quality, efficiency and straightforwardness: David sets great store by the Laurius DNA. He always goes to the limit for his clients, always focusing on a pragmatic, successful outcome for the case. In every situation, he puts forward creative solutions which perfectly meet the wishes and needs of his client.

Delphine Joos

A Master’s degree in Law, an LL.M. in Corporate, Financial & Comparative Law from the University of Leeds and a postgraduate degree from the College of Europe in Bruges: Delphine Joos has a broad academic background and has been enriching the Laurius corporate department with it since 2021. With a specialisation in company law, she mainly focuses on M&A cases. Delphine values an involved and accessible follow-up of cases in her client relationship. Her communication style? Clear and responsive, so that clients can be serviced at their beck and call. Delphine pursues the highest quality in her legal assistance and advice. Going the extra mile is self-evident for her.

Dirk Wellens

Dirk Wellens is managing partner and founder of Laurius. With more than 25 years of experience in the legal profession, he has acquired particular expertise in all aspects of company law. (Inter)national takeovers and restructurings are his main focus. Dirk also assists clients with estate planning and complex inheritances, with a sharp eye and pragmatic advice. Dirk Wellens does things differently. Rather than just doing things, he sits around the conference table as a sparring partner and guides clients with a 360° view. Preparing, closing and following up deals: Dirk is strong on strategy and aims for intelligent and intensive cooperation. Both with his clients and within the company team. The cross-over with lawyers from other fields of expertise – in-house, external and international – makes his legal advice very comprehensive and concrete.

Eline Verelst

Eline Verelst has been an established member of the dispute resolution team at Laurius since 2017. Her key focus? Dispute resolution in corporate law in the broadest sense of the word. Shareholder disputes, director’s liability, (commercial) disputes between companies, … Throughout her career, she has also gained experience in other legal matters, such as attachment proceedings, damage claims and judicial reorganisations. A strict monitoring of the case, crystal-clear communication and an impeccable relationship of trust with her clients: Eline handles every case efficiently and with empathy. Listening, empathising, analysing, advising, negotiating, … As a lawyer, she effortlessly puts herself in her client’s position to get to the bottom of a case. Eline considers the crossovers between the various departments and teamwork at Laurius as a significant added value. When it comes to dispute resolution, Eline gives her all. This passion translates into a track record of diverse cases in which Eline tries to find an agreement – however challenging – even when the parties are on opposite sides of the table. She is most energised by the fact that procedures with a small chance of success result in a positive outcome.

Femke Tordeur

Femke Tordeur obtained a master’s degree in law in 2019 and has been part of the Laurius corporate & real estate department ever since. Belgian corporate law, contract law, financial law or real estate law: Femke advises clients with a pragmatic view and special empathy, always focusing on an approach and solution that best suits their unique situation. The added value of Laurius? For Femke, it is the practical approach to her cases and her concise and easy-to-read advice. The dedication to clients and easy accessibility – by e-mail, telephone, video conference or face-to-face meeting – are the Laurius work ethics which Femke, as a lawyer, can perfectly identify with. Femke has already assisted various companies in merger, takeover and restructuring projects. Real estate transactions also fit within her area of expertise, in which she advises and assists her clients from the front row.

Gerrit Hendrikx

Gerrit Hendrikx, master in law and sociology, started his career as a lawyer in 2015. Since 2020 he has been working in the commercial & dispute resolution department at Laurius. His field of expertise? Right across the board, from company law and contract law, through judicial private law, to insolvency, attachment and enforcement law. Advice, contract editing or settling commercial and corporate disputes: Gerrit always aims for a fast, successful outcome for his clients. Providing clients with efficient solutions that best fit their needs and wishes: Gerrit goes the extra mile. For him, Laurius is synonymous with quality, involvement and pragmatism. This is the spirit in which he handles his cases: accurate and punctual, and always transparent with his clients.

Gertjan Van Hoeyweghen

With a master’s degree in law and notary practice, Gertjan Van Hoeyweghen focuses on cases concerning property law and real estate law in the broadest sense of the word. Flat co-ownership and private construction law are his specialisations. Gertjan is part of the Laurius real estate team in Brussels, where he mainly focuses on real estate transactions and multidisciplinary real estate cases.

Karen Vermaere

Karen Vermaere is a senior partner and has been a lawyer at the Antwerp Bar since 2001. She assists clients with challenging projects and advises companies on all aspects of commercial transactions. Karen combines this non-litigation practice, often in regulated sectors, with dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration. For over 20 years, Karen has been challenging herself to set the bar high. Critical and demanding of the work that each person at Laurius does for clients. Focusing on providing the best professional support for the Laurius team. Efficient, responsive and qualitative towards clients: Karen guides them with sincerity, empathy and dedication, always aiming for the most pragmatic solution.

Karen De Clercq

Karen De Clercq is a senior associate specialised in M&A, private equity, trade sales and real estate transactions. With a substantive knowledge and understanding of company law Karen assists, founders, buyers, sellers, and private equity funds on transactions in Belgium and abroad.

Lancelot Clément de Cléty

Mergers, acquisitions, corporate and commercial law: Lancelot Clément de Cléty advises and supports clients in a wide range of cases. He does so as a decisive dealmaker, with a strong academic background. Lancelot insists on a very people-oriented approach, always with a view to an appropriate, realistic outcome. His goal? To help clients find solutions which they may not have thought of in the first place, but which will speed up their case. According to Lancelot, the intensive client contact, the four eyes principle and the constant aim for quality are the keys to Laurius’ success.

Lucas Van Geel

Since 2020, Lucas Van Geel has strengthened the Laurius law firm. He is mainly active within the commercial and dispute resolution department. With a Master’s degree in Law and an LL.M. in European Competition and Intellectual Property Law, Lucas guides and advises clients in a broad spectrum of legal topics. From commercial, financial and corporate law cases to complex insolvency issues. Lucas considers it a privilege to be trusted by clients to assist them during their most challenging times. Sharp analysis, proactive advice, decisive litigation: Lucas does it with drive and dynamism, focused on the most efficient outcome for his professional clients. At Laurius, together with his colleagues, he aims to have an impact every day. In recent years, Lucas has worked on a variety of large-scale cases, focusing on dispute resolution in the professional arena. From damage claims in the context of commercial contracts, to the provision of advice in disputes concerning government contracts. Lucas has also built up extensive expertise in attachment proceedings.

Martin Lens

As a lawyer at Laurius, Martin Lens focuses on corporate M&A and real estate. His academic knowledge? He gained this during his law studies at UCLouvain and his notarial studies at UGent. Since 2019, he has been honing his practical skills in the field of business law. Experience and expertise that Martin uses daily to support his clients with concrete, out of the box solutions. The personal trust of a small firm combined with the know-how and experience of a big one. Laurius gets it and does it right. Martin is a strong supporter of the office’s vision and always incorporates it into his dossier follow-ups. Skilled, reactive and creative. Martin sees Laurius’ multilingual, pragmatic approach as a plus, as is the in-depth knowledge of the sectors in which he and his fellow lawyers negotiate and conclude deals. Mergers, sale of real estate to listed companies, takeovers of companies, industries and real estate, … Martin has successfully managed challenging M&A and real estate transactions in recent years. For a resounding client base, with a crossover of knowledge between the real estate and corporate departments.

Matthias Verschaffel

Matthias Verschaffel obtained a master’s degree in law and corporate law and joined Laurius in 2017. His area of expertise? That ranges from corporate and company law, over private law, to property law and inheritance disputes. In both national and international contexts. Dispute resolution (amicably, through arbitration or court proceedings) also falls within his area of expertise. Providing efficient solutions that best fit the client’s wishes and needs. This is how Matthias puts his stamp on every case as a lawyer. For him, Laurius rhymes with excellence and in-depth legal analysis: two things that he in turn pursues in his case follow-up. Matthias handles each case purposefully and pragmatically, correctly and creatively. Going the extra mile is self-evident to him.

Michael Bollen

Experienced lawyer, Laurius partner and transactional real estate expert. When it comes to corporate real estate, Michael Bollen is in the driving seat. With his in-depth know-how and striking practical experience, he knows the professional real estate market inside out. Structuring and transferring real estate (companies), establishing business rights, providing sharp advice on real estate financing and disputes, … Michael does it all with impeccable quality for an international clientele. From private and institutional investors to real estate funds, companies and developers. As one of Laurius’ key executives, it is Michael’s professional mission to assist every client with quality, speed and integrity. He places maximum emphasis on personal relationships with his clients, attaching particular importance to transparent communication and smooth case follow-up. Easy to reach, involved and reliable.

Olivia Vansteelant

Master’s degree in law, LL.M. in international and European law, trainee at the EU’s Permanent Representation to the UN in Geneva: Olivia Vansteelant was far from being a novice when she joined the Laurius employment law team in 2021. Since then, she has been advising and representing clients in all facets of collective and individual employment law. Her area of expertise also includes internal and (inter)national reorganisations, closures, transfers and mergers of companies. Clear, pragmatic, professional and highly accurate. These are the core values with which Olivia handles her cases. Whether it concerns an individual dismissal, a request for advice on incapacity for work, legal proceedings or a due diligence report: Olivia guides clients and manages legal risks with a razor-sharp eye for detail. Clear communication and a fast, responsive dossier approach are paramount. Olivia has been involved in various takeovers and mergers, whereby she focuses on the screening of the labour law part. She has also assisted numerous (inter)national companies in their process of collective dismissal (whether or not as part of the restructuring or closure of the company) and the dismissal of employees in management positions.

Philippe Loix

Philippe Loix focuses on cases in corporate law, real estate law and administrative law, with a particular specialisation in public procurement and real estate projects. Dedicated and diligent, turning over every legal stone, always from a practical point of view. With a master’s degree in law, taxation and company law and an LL.M. European Master in Law and Economics, he sets the standard of quality within the dispute resolution team particularly high. Hypercorrect and concrete: that is how Philippe makes the difference for his clients. In addition to a strong theoretical case, as a lawyer he puts maximum effort into pragmatism in advice and the approach of procedures. The intended result for his clients is the main focus. What is the hoped-for end product? How can we achieve this as efficiently as possible? It is this goal-getting mindset that inspires Philippe and lifts his work to a higher level.

Rainier Van Ghyseghem

Rainier Van Ghyseghem has a highly qualitative knowledge of company law, private equity and real estate. This know-how, which he acquired during his law studies, his master’s degree in company law and his post-graduate diploma in corporate finance, is now being smoothly translated into legal practice. As a lawyer at Laurius, he mainly focuses on cases involving corporate (real estate) transactions and corporate disputes. Rainier goes the extra mile. More than purely legal advice, he also supports companies in commercial and other corporate law matters. Listening, strategic support, thinking three steps ahead, … Rainier rolls out a very complete advice, pragmatic and targeted. The common thread throughout his dossier management? Integrity and loyalty, both within the firm and towards his clients. As a Laurius lawyer, Rainier advises shareholders and managers in various corporate law cases. Both national and international. Exit and takeover cases, company transfers, real estate transactions involving logistics buildings and student residences, etc. Rainier knows his way around.

Sam Spranghers

That corporate law is a branch of law that suits Sam Spranghers is beyond doubt. After earning a master's degree in law in 2021, he decided to strengthen his knowledge of corporate law by obtaining a master's degree in corporate law. With this academic background, Sam has been reinforcing Laurius' corporate team since 2022. Sam supports companies in corporate law matters in a thorough and thoughtful manner. In this way, Sam provides clients with customised advice that focuses not only on the present, but also on the future. Offering a sustainable, purposeful and honourable solution to every problem is Sam's motto.

Sander Parthoens

Employment law

Stephanie Joris

As a senior associate at Laurius, she puts her shoulders to the wheel in complex corporate and commercial disputes. Conflicts between shareholders, directors’ liability, disputes arising in the context of mergers and acquisitions, … Stephanie assists companies with passion and thoroughness, 100% geared to their unique corporate structure and DNA. Personal, pragmatic and surprisingly no-nonsense. That is how Stephanie guides and supports her clients in any case. With her in-depth legal expertise and human approach, she goes all out for a successful case outcome. For Stephanie, Laurius is synonymous with perfectionism at every level: in terms of knowledge and communication, as well as an efficient dossier approach. A vision of the office which she perfectly shares. Stephanie advises and represents companies, shareholders and directors from various sectors. Industry and construction predominate. She has also built up specific experience in post-acquisition disputes, shareholder disputes and attachment proceedings.

Zeno Vanregemorter

Zeno Vanregemorter has outstanding experience in corporate litigation, both in financial and contractual disputes. From mergers and acquisitions, to disagreements between shareholders, to directors’ liability: Zeno advises and represents clients in a wide range of complex conflicts, both in Belgium and in a cross-border context. In addition, over the past years he has built up special know-how in the field of private equity and the telecom and energy sector. Fast and independent, with a minimum of overhead and unnecessary conflicts. That is how Zeno defines the ‘Laurius way of working’. With a broad field of knowledge and experience in leading cases, Zeno is the legal right hand of companies going through challenging times. Assisting clients? He does so with a talent for crisis management and keen legal insight, focusing on the most efficient solution. From international negotiations between shareholders, to complex disputes about contractual and civil liability, to assisting with pre- and post-acquisition claims. Throughout his career, Zeno has assisted numerous A-listed companies, funds and holding companies in a wide range of legal cases.

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