Strelia > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile
Strelia Offices
RUE ROYALE/KONINGSSTRAAT 145
1000 BRUSSELS
Belgium
Strelia > The Legal 500 Rankings
Belgium > Industry focus: Retail Tier 1
Strelia has a strong focus on distribution issues with transactional and contentious mandates related to the relationships of retailers with their franchisees a cornerstone of the practice. The team is also active across a number of take-overs in the retail space. Gaetano Jannone heads up the team; the litigation and arbitration specialist is frequently sought out by clients from the fashion, food and beverage industries. Olivier Clevenbergh is an authority on franchisings and is also active on M&A work in the space, while Jean-Pierre Fierens has in-depth knowledge of distribution law.Practice head(s):
Gaetano Jannone
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Even though Strelia is a larger office, they manage to keep a practical and down to earth approach.’
‘The team takes a simple approach and provides logical solutions.’
Key clients
Accor Hotels
Burger Brands Belgium (Burger King and Quick restaurants)
Cinemas Pathé
Carrefour
Cono Kaasmakers
Disaronno
Exki
Explore-Share
Immoweb
Lotronic
Herta
Lunch Garden
Makro Metro
O’Tacos
PCS Innotec
Rexel
Sobeltop
Work highlights
- Advising Carrefour Belgium on all matters pertaining to its franchise network.
- Represented Illva Saronno in litigation against Pernod Ricard.
- Advised Makro-Metro on the framework of the insolvency proceedings affecting the group.
Belgium > Competition: Belgian law Tier 2
With a particular focus on highly regulated sectors – including energy, insurance, retail, telecoms and transport – Strelia regularly appears before the Belgian Competition Authority on merger clearance cases, as well as handling notifications and third-party interventions. The team is also well known for litigating damage actions resulting from anti-competitive practices and regulatory infringements before domestic courts. Pierre Goffinet leads on much of the work, supported by counsel Laure Bersou and associate Mediona Shehu.Practice head(s):
Pierre Goffinet
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Availability and knowledge of the subject.’
‘Extensive experience in competition law, including within the Belgian Competition Authority.’
‘Pierre Goffinet is a standout performer and a pleasure to co-operate with. He has a great willingness to dive deep into complex matters and to work on very short notice.’
‘The lawyers of Strelia, in particular Pierre Goffinet and Laure Bersou, are very professional, highly qualified and very good at analysing complex technical legal/economic matters.’
‘Pierre Goffinet and Laure Bersou are two lawyers with outstanding qualifications, experience and insight in complex legal and economic matters. They work together very well which gives confidence, a more informal and reliable overall feeling as a client.’
Key clients
Carrefour Belgium
Orange Belgium
Sogenam
Ethias
Lineas
CarASAP (D’Ieteren)
Herta
Cono Kaasmakers
City of Brussels
One Square Advisors
Pro League
Hector Cue Sports Belgium (GDM Sports)
Work highlights
- Represented Carrefour Belgium in litigation against the Belgian Competition Authority, supported by Intermarché Alimentaire and Fidagh, concerning the decision adopted by the Belgian Competition Authority to approve the acquisition of Mestdagh by Intermarché Alimentaire.
- Representing Orange Belgium in litigation against Coditel (Telenet) concerning access to the television cable-network.
- Advising Pro League, the association of professional Belgian football clubs, on the allocation system of TV rights.
Belgium > Dispute resolution Tier 2
The practice at Strelia is commended for its ‘very broad experience and excellent legal knowledge‘ with expertise across complex commercial litigation, along with knowledge of competition and regulatory, public procurement, and construction work. Post-M&A litigation and shareholder disputes are key focuses of the team, which also has a prominent arbitration practice. Jean-Pierre Fierens leads the team of ‘experienced and competent lawyers’, with specific expertise in disputes involving directors’ liability. Also of note are the ‘very reliable’ Gaetano Jannone, and the ‘extraordinary and extremely intelligent’ Joanna Kolber.Practice head(s):
Jean-Pierre Fierens
Other key lawyers:
Gaetano Jannone; Joanna Kolber; Sofie Onderbeke
Testimonials
‘On top of extensive legal expertise, Gaetano Jannone is very reliable, always available, and has a great insight of his clients’ needs. It is a pleasure to work with him.’
‘As a company working in a very specific field, we appreciate that Strelia invested the time in getting to know our products in order to advise us accordingly. Strelia has always been a highly professional law firm on which we can count whenever we have a specific question. We appreciate their responsiveness and pragmatic hands-on approach.’
‘Joanna Kolber is an extraordinary and extremely intelligent partner of Strelia, thinking out of the box, constantly seeking the right arguments and position in court cases. She sees connections where others don’t see them, her communication is highly transparent and clear and she strives for perfection. She has a high IQ and EQ and is extremely engaged in going the extra mile for her clients.’
‘Sofie Onderbeke is a highly motivated associate of Strelia, genuinely interested, pleasant to work with, and motivated to deep dive into the documentation and additional information to strengthen our cases. She is the perfect tandem with Joanna Kolber.’
‘Joanna Kolber was extremely responsive, proactive and helpful. Joanna provided very commercial and reasonable advice to a client in a sensitive commercial dispute.’
‘Experienced and competent lawyers.’
Key clients
ABN Amro
ACER
Ansul
Becchetti
Belgian State
Canon Belgium
Carrefour
City of Brussels
Credendo
Eneco
Engie
Ethias
French Republic (Ministry of Culture)
Gunvor
ING Bank
Kone
Lineas
Lunch Garden
Neo
NSD
Optima Bank
PCS Innotec International
Rexel
TotalEnergies
Tractebel
Triumph Motorcycles
Vesalius Biocapital
Work highlights
- Acted in landmark litigation concerning withdrawal by NSD on behalf of its clients of €22.5bn worth of securities from Euroclear in the aftermath of the European sanctions on Russia and of the Russian countermeasures.
- Acted as co-counsel in a dispute concerning the enforcement of a multimillion ICSID award against Albania against Albanian assets held with an international organisation with a seat in Belgium.
- Acted in litigation concerning the termination of surface right agreements on which a new landmark national football stadium was planned for the European soccer championships in 2020.
Belgium > Insolvency and restructuring Tier 2
Under the leadership of experienced insolvency litigator and practitioner Bart De Moor, a 'seasoned professional with a pragmatic approach', Strelia's team is uniquely qualified to act in domestic and cross-border insolvency proceedings and shareholder disputes. The team also advises and acts as administrator for distressed companies on their out-of-court and court-appointed restructurings. Marine Callebaut's portfolio includes representing shareholders and insurers in post-bankruptcy liability claims as well as handling alternative dispute resolution.Practice head(s):
Bart De Moor
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The difference of Strelia is the consideration of all aspects of the problem. I really appreciated the advice but above all the human support in a complicated period for the company.’
‘I worked with Bart de Moor and Marine Callebaut. They were very involved in finding a solution and it was thanks to them that we found a buyer for the company.’
‘I worked a lot with Bart de Moor on insolvency and restructuring matters. He is a partner of the firm who is extremely well prepared and an extremely nice person, too!’
‘This practice is unique by the way it put first an understanding of the clients aims and goals and adapt its service to the scale involved.’
‘Very competent in their field.’
‘Bart De Moor is very competent in the field of insolvency law.’
‘Bart de Moor is a seasoned professional with a pragmatic approach, calm and competent.’
‘Bart De Moor is one of the best-known specialists in the field of restructuring and insolvency law beyond the borders of Belgium, whose professional advice is much appreciated in the restructuring of internationally active companies. He is also a highly successful Belgian insolvency administrator who masters even the most difficult cases with virtuosity.’
Key clients
Enterprise Court of Brussels
One Square Advisors GmbH
Makro Cash and Carry NV
Work highlights
Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3
Strelia combines contentious and non-contentious capabilities in its corporate offering, which allows the team to comprehensively advise a large number of large Belgian and international companies in the life sciences, TMT, and energy sectors on strategic transactions, divestments, joint ventures, and post-M&A claims. Under the leadership of M&A and private equity specialist Gisèle Rosselle, the practice regularly collaborates with international partners to advise on multi-jurisdictional deals and is also prolific in handling Belgian mid-market transactions. Other key members of the team include managing partner Olivier Clevenbergh, who is noted for his expertise in corporate disputes, and M&A and joint venture expert Katrien Vorlat.Practice head(s):
Gisèle Rosselle
Other key lawyers:
Laurent Verhavert; Olivier Clevenbergh; Katrien Vorlat; Céderic Devroey
Testimonials
‘The team is close-knit, very responsive, and available despite their busy practice.’
‘Gisele Rosselle and Céderic Devroey go the extra mile for their clients and co-counsel.’
‘Proactive approach in M&A from the team.’
‘Known for its flexibility, completeness, and client-centric service.’
Key clients
Engie
Sixt
Carrefour
Accor Invest
UPS
Herschel
Energy One Group
LCL Datacenters
Addtech Nordic
Herta
Norks Hydro
Andlinger
Hyloris
Stantec
Kryseo
Saint Brice
Rexel
European Banking Federation
Scioteq
Cadmus
IOGP
Medallia
Jenssen Hughes
Tradeshift
Eumedica Pharmaceuticals AG
Netcompany Intrasoft
Banijay
One Square
Bronze Capital
Allegion
Alcopa
Work highlights
- Advised the Engie group on the divestment of its dark fiber network to UK group euNetworks.
- Advised Nasdaq-listed Addtech on its acquisition of the MCS Europe Group.
- Advised LCL Data Centers on its windmill project acquisitions as part of its energy transition strategy.
Belgium > Fraud and white-collar crime Tier 3
Strelia‘s fraud and white-collar crime practice acts for corporations, financial entities, and individuals entangled in fraud and white-collar crime litigation, working closely with the firm’s restructuring and insolvency group. Sébastien Ryelandt, leading the practice, fields significant experience in banking disputes, liability proceedings, and various white-collar criminal matters.Practice head(s):
Sébastien Ryelandt
Key clients
ING Belgium
Liège Airport
Belgium > Private equity Tier 3
The ‘pragmatic and knowledgeable‘ team at Strelia advises private equity and venture capital funds as well as their portfolio companies on a wide range of transactions, financing rounds, and (re)investments, focusing heavily on regulated sectors such as life sciences and tech. Under the leadership of Gisèle Rosselle, the team handles the due diligence and negotiation aspects of a growing volume of cross-border M&A, frequently with the firm’s integrated employment and real estate capabilities to provide comprehensive regulatory advice. Further key contacts include transactional experts Katrien Vorlat and Laurent Verhavert.Practice head(s):
Gisèle Rosselle
Other key lawyers:
Katrien Vorlat; Laurent Verhavert; Céderic Devroey
Testimonials
‘The team is very responsive, pragmatic, knowledgeable and available despite their busy practice. For us, in short, the go-to firm in Belgium!’
‘We work with Gisèle Rosselle and Céderic Devroey a lot in cross-border M&A transactions with a Belgian angle and know that we can count on them. That they will be available to deliver on time clearly and practically. They are real service providers who go the extra mile for their clients and co-counsel.’
‘The strength is to have a single point of contact who is connected to their internal team and ensure optimal communication between departments depending on the needs.’
‘We are working mainly with Laurent Verhavert. Laurent is clear, easily available, professional and pragmatic. I am extremely happy about the interactions because I know that I will have a constructive answer in a short time frame.’
‘Gisèle Rosselle and her PE team are responsive, pragmatic and easily adapt to the wishes of the client. They take responsibility and are proactive. It is a pleasure to work with them.’
‘Gisèle Rosselle is a partner on which you can rely. She and the quality of her work are above par. She is very responsive and proactive.’
Key clients
Dematra Waterland
Swarovski Group
Foreman Capital
Chemtech Group
Société générale
AbéNex
Newton Biocapital
Vesalius Biocapital
Quilvest capital partners
Dawn capital
Crane capital
Arlington capital partner
BC partners
Cellaion
Join capital
Flamingo Therapeutics
Novadip Biosciences
Neuvasq Biotechnologies
Soil Capital
Ambienta
Aboleris Pharma
Imcyse
New Mountain Capital
Work highlights
- Assisted Dematra-Waterland PE with the acquisition of Nouwens Transport and of Transport De Sloover.
- Assisted Neomounts with the acquisition of B-Tech International Group.
- Assisted Cellaion with an equity financing round.
Belgium > Employment Tier 4
Under the leadership employment practitioner Stefanie Tack, who took over the practice leadership in early 2023, Strelia is capable of handling a large volume of employee transfers and terminations in the context of corporate restructurings and also advises a growing number of clients on whistleblowing matters. The team also acts for its base of Belgian and multinational clients in contentious matters, including criminal investigations as well as discrimination and harassment claims. Vastly experienced restructuring expert Herman Craeninckx left for Simmons & Simmons in March 2024, followed by Pauline Van Parys, who advises on discrimination, remuneration and collective bargaining matters, departing in April 2024.Practice head(s):
Stefanie Tack
Other key lawyers:
Marnix De Greve
Testimonials
‘Stefanie Tack is a very business oriented employment lawyer with high-quality operational solutions. She always tries to provide clients with pragmatic answers that can be effectively implemented by the client.’
‘They are highly responsive and business-oriented.’
‘We experience a personal and competent approach by Marnix De Greve and Stefanie Tack.’
‘Concise and to the point, knowledgeable in their field.’
‘The team is extremely professional. I was struck by their clear communication and transparent management. They provided clear reflection points for me to consider.’
‘I worked with Stefanie Tack and can recommend her 100%. She is absolutely on top of her area of expertise and very knowledgeable and experienced. In addition, and I think this makes her unique, she also has a very personable approach and keeps the emotional aspects of individual labour law matters in mind. She is a very well rounded legal professional and has been the best counsel I could have hoped for.’
‘I like the attitude in the way that they think together with us, you really feel that they know their cases very well and I’m able to easily discuss the points. They are not afraid to give plusses and minuses of the different standpoints and really act together with the customer.’
‘Stefanie Tack is exceptionally competent and very much business oriented. She can assess quickly and exhaustively all ins and outs in a given situation.’
Key clients
Accor Invest Belgium sa
Ace Dental Belgium srl
Bagio bv
IQEQ Holdings (Belgium) nv
Abrisud Bénélux sa
Infano
Vinçotte International
Oregon Tools
Brusano asbl
CEJI aisbl
Liège Airport
Essity Belgium sa
ASL Airlines
OTTO Office
Telecom Infrastructure Partners Belgium
Kryseo srl
Europcar Mobility Group
Mifratel nv
Simovision bv
WWF International
Permanent Representation of Greece to the EU
Herta Belgium bv
Netcompany – Intrasoft sa
Novadip Biosciences sa
Sopra-Steria Benelux
Sumitomo Chemical Europe nv
Marken Ltd
Soil Capital Belgium srl
Belgomeals
BIC
Bon-bon srl/Menssa
Bergerat Monnoyeur nv
Metro Delivery Service nv
Corinthia – Hôtel Astoria sa
Nico-Lab bv
Work highlights
- Advised Metro Delivery Service nv on the closure of the company.
- Advised Marken Ltd. on reviewing and adjusting working-time practices and policies in Belgium, including the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement with trade unions.
- Advised Netcompany – Intrasoft sa on the implementation of its internal whistleblowing channels and procedures, including the drafting of its whistleblowing and privacy policy.
Belgium > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 5
Strelia maintains an integrated financial law offering that encompasses transactional, regulatory, restructuring, and litigation elements, with a particular focus on guiding financial institutions and corporate borrowers through acquisition financing arrangements. Refinancings and distressed financings are also key areas of focus for the team, which is led by domestic and cross-border financing expert Frédéric Heremans.Practice head(s):
Frédéric Heremans
Key clients
LCL datacenters
Microsoft
Engie
infra4be
Factofrance
Crédit Mutuel Factoring
Lifestyles Group
Axalta Coating Systems
Absolute Capital Partners
Work highlights
- Assisted Société Générale with the refinancing of the acquisition by, and the existing indebtedness of, Healthcare Activos Inmobiliarios 21, SLU.
- Advised LCL DATA CENTERS on financing the acquisition of numerous data centers as part of its edge strategy.
- Assisted Axalta Coating Systems group alongside Latham & Watkins with the Belgian aspects of the refinancing of its $2bn credit agreement.
Belgium > Competition: EU and global Tier 5
The team at Strelia brings a strong litigious focus to its competition work, regularly representing clients in procedures relating to damage actions resulting from anti-competitive practices and regulatory infringements. On the non-contentious side, the group handles cross-border merger control analyses and filings, as well as providing project compliance advice. Key contact Pierre Goffinet 'is pragmatic and truly adds value'.Practice head(s):
Pierre Goffinet
Other key lawyers:
Laure Bersou; Mediona Shehu
Testimonials
‘Extensive experience in competition law.’
‘Strelia combines cross-border expertise with a deep understanding of EU competition law.’
‘Pierre Goffinet is a standout performer and a pleasure to cooperate with. He has a great willingness to dive deep into complex matters and to work at very short notice.’
‘Pierre Goffinet is an expert. He is pragmatic and truly adds value and understands economic, financial and business rationale.’
‘Pierre Goffinet is strong in many aspects, he worked for the Belgian Competition Authority and therefore knows how they work and act, he has a strong economic background and he is not only a competition lawyer but also a regulatory expert, which gives him a quite unique standing in the Belgium antitrust lawyer community.’
Key clients
Orange Belgium
Ethias
Carrefour Belgium
City of Brussels
Cono Kaasmakers
Pro League
One Square Advisors
Lineas
CarASAP (D’Ieteren)
Work highlights
- Assisting Ethias with the notification process before the EU Commission of a joint venture created with Santander Group.
- Representing Pro League in proceedings relating to the promotion in the championship of SK Lommel due to foreign subsidies received from foreign investors.
Belgium > Real estate and construction
Belgium > Industry focus: Energy
Strelia > Firm Profile
Strelia is a business law firm composed of experienced partners and their teams looking to combine their expertise and strengths to provide high quality services to their clients.
The focus of Strelia is on general corporate law, commercial matters, and dispute resolution. We advise clients on M&A, private equity, corporate, banking and finance, capital markets, commercial agreements, restructuring and insolvency, tax, employment and benefits, dispute resolution, competition law and regulatory and real estate and administrative law.
Our lawyers are used to working according to international standards. Many of them have worked in international firms before joining Strelia, some for more than two decades.
Our team comprises both native French speakers and native Dutch speakers. All our lawyers are fluent in English. Several of them have studied and/or worked abroad, notably in the United States or in the United Kingdom.
Our aim is to provide our clients with a professional and personalised service.
We believe in the complementarity of transactional and contentious work. A good agreement is an agreement which can stand the test of a court decision, and it is in our experience critical that lawyers arguing cases in court also have direct experience in negotiating deals.
While delivering practical results, we place a high importance on the technical knowledge of law. Many of our lawyers have academic functions and/or write articles in their field of activities, which ensures that we have access to in-depth and updated know-how.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Dispute Resolution, Commercial | Jean-Pierre Fierens | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Dispute Resolution, Commercial, Restructuring & Insolvency | Bart De Moor | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Managing Partner, Corporate M&A, Commercial, Dispute Resolution | Olivier Clevenbergh | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Dispute Resolution | Sébastien Ryelandt | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Corporate / M&A | Katrien Vorlat | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Real Estate & Administrative Law | France Vlassembrouck | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Corporate / M&A, Capital Markets, Banking & Finance | Gisèle Rosselle | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Banking & Finance | Frédéric Heremans | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Tax | Benoît Malvaux | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Competition & Regulatory | Pierre Goffinet | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Employment & Benefits | Stefanie Tack | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Corporate / M&A | Laurent Verhavert | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Dispute Resolution, Commercial | Joanna Kolber | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Competition & Regulatory | Laure Bersou | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Corporate / M&A | Julie Lo Bue | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Corporate / M&A | Céderic Devroey | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Restructuring & Insolvency | Marine Callebaut | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Employment & Benefits | Marnix De Greve | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Restructuring & Insolvency | Sofie Onderbeke | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Competition & Regulatory | Mediona Shehu | [email protected] | 0032 2 627 00 90 |
Meet The Team(s)
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mrs Laure Bersou | Laure Bersou is a member of the Competition Law and Regulatory practice. | View Profile | |
Mrs Marine Callebaut | Marine Callebaut is a member of our Restructuring and Insolvency practice. | View Profile | |
Mr Olivier Clevenbergh KC | Olivier Clevenbergh is partner in the Corporate and M&A practice. He also… | View Profile | |
Mr Marnix De Greve | Marnix De Greve is a member of our Employment and Benefits practice.… | View Profile | |
Mr Bart De Moor | Bart De Moor is a partner in our dispute resolution practice and… | View Profile | |
Mr Céderic Devroey | Céderic Devroey is a member of our Corporate and M&A practice. Céderic… | View Profile | |
Mr Jean-Pierre Fierens | Jean-Pierre Fierens is a partner in our dispute resolution practice. He specialises… | View Profile | |
Mr Pierre Goffinet | Pierre Goffinet is a partner in the Competition Law and Regulatory practice. | View Profile | |
Mr Frédéric Heremans | Frédéric Heremans is a partner in our Banking & Finance practice. Frédéric… | View Profile | |
Mrs Joanna Kolber | Joanna Kolber is a partner in our Dispute Resolution practice. | View Profile | |
Mrs Julie Lo Bue | Julie Lo Bue is a member of our Corporate and M&A practice. | View Profile | |
Mr Benoît Malvaux | With over 20 years of experience, Benoît Malvaux is a partner in… | View Profile | |
Mrs Sofie Onderbeke | Sofie Onderbeke is a member of our Dispute Resolution practice and in… | View Profile | |
Mrs Gisèle Rosselle | Gisèle Rosselle is a partner in our Corporate and M&A practice. She… | View Profile | |
Mr Sébastien Ryelandt | Sébastien Ryelandt is partner in our dispute resolution practice. He has over… | View Profile | |
Mrs Mediona Shehu | Mediona Shehu is a member of the Competition law and Regulatory practice.… | View Profile | |
Mrs Stefanie Tack | Stefanie Tack is a partner in our Employment & Benefits practice. She… | View Profile | |
Mr Laurent Verhavert | Laurent Verhavert is partner in our Corporate and M&A practice. He specialises… | View Profile | |
Mrs France Vlassembrouck | France is a partner in our Real Estate & Administrative Law practice.… | View Profile | |
Mrs Katrien Vorlat | Katrien Vorlat is a partner in our Corporate and M&A practice. | View Profile |
Languages
English Dutch French German Polish Russian SpanishMemberships
IBA (International Bar Association) ABA (American Bar Association) EELA (European Employment Lawyer Association) Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (Cepani) International Association of Lawyers (UIA) AmCham American Chamber of Commerce INSOL - International Association of RestructuringDiversity
Strelia recognises and values the importance of being different. We believe that each individual’s unique set of talents, skills, social backgrounds, culture, personal characteristics, and their differences in gender, beliefs, sexual orientation, and nationalities contribute to creating a stronger workforce and a better law firm. We therefore take diversity very seriously and persist in continuing our pursuit of becoming a diverse and inclusive firm.
Since our inception in 2013, we have progressed significantly in terms of gender diversity. At Strelia, women account for 10% of all partners and 50% of all counsel and associates. We constantly take steps to steer our discussions and actions towards promoting our culture of diversity, inclusion, and work-life balance, which are some of the main pillars of our hiring and retention programs. Strelia is also one of the key members in promoting gender diversity by organizing the Women in Law and Leadership program every year, inspiring female associates of Belgian law firms to take on leadership roles and coaching them on how to advance in their careers. Our lawyers and staff have various ethnic backgrounds, and we stand by this commitment of inclusion. Moreover, Strelia is aware of some clients’ demand for diverse lawyers to assist them and handle their matters, and we take this preference to heart. We are sensitive to their requests and do our best to form a team that can meet their criteria.
In early 2019, Strelia joined the Belgium-based Legal Diversity & Inclusion Alliance (LDIA). Our membership demonstrates our commitment to not only promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal industry but also making collective efforts with several law firms in Belgium to champion this. LDIA member firms affirm their commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment, exchanging good practices on diversity and inclusion, and raising awareness of non-discrimination and diversity issues by combining efforts in organising events, workshops and training.
Strelia is also a proud sponsor of DIApositief, which stands for “diverse and inclusive law profession” (in English). DIApositief is an initiative of the Dutch-speaking Brussels Bar whose mission is to raise awareness about the legal profession among young migrants and to aspire them to pursue their studies and career in law. What drives our sponsorship in this initiative is the fact that we acknowledge Brussels’s diversity (it is the second most diverse city in the world, after Dubai), and we want to do as much as we can to play an active role in supporting the next generation of lawyers, who are migrants or come from migrant families.
We clearly see the legal industry in Belgium jump on the “Workplace Diversity and Inclusion” bandwagon, and Strelia is pleased to be among the firms leading this.
- Industry focus: Retail