Thomas Vanthournout
LiedekerkeLiedekerke advises on leveraged financings, assists with refinancing matters, and acts on bond issues and private placements for a client base composed primarily of Belgian banks and corporate clients. Real estate finance is a further area of focus for the team, which increasingly advises both borrowers and lenders on green bond issuances and sustainability-linked facilities. Corporate finance expert Damien Conem leads the practice together with Freya Mareels, a syndicated lending expert who advises on a wide array of debt finance transactions, and Wim Dedecker, who takes the lead on both debt and equity capital markets matters. Thomas Vanthournout is also highly recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is ambitious and versatile. They are strong in both banking & finance (team headed by Freya Mareels) and capital markets (team headed by Wim Dedecker). They have a proactive diversity policy.’
‘I mostly work together with Wim Dedecker, who stands out in responsiveness, is pleasant to work with and has a pragmatic approach.’
‘Team dedicated, available, hands-on, giving very useful & practical advices ’
‘They raise concerns/issues proactively, provide useful advice and are well deal-oriented.’
‘Liedekerke is a very good Belgian firm with outstanding expertise.’
‘Wim Dedecker masters both ECM & DCM, which is somewhat unique on the Belgian market. He has a very strong market and technical knowledge. He is able to work both in French & Dutch, which is also key on the Belgian market.’
‘The team is very reactive and assisted us with pragmatic advice. ’
Key clients
- OD Services
- Cohabs Group
- Innovatus Capital Partners
- ING Belgium, ING Bank
- Belfius Bank
- ABN Amro Bank
- CGE Partners
- BNP Paribas Fortis
- KBC Bank
- DFM
- Sligro Food Group Nederland
- Sonic Healthcare
- Bekaert
- Cantor Fitzgerald & Co
- Degroof Petercam
Work highlights
- Advised Odontolia Group in connection with its a €31.5m senior facilities agreement with ING Belgium, CBC Banque and Belfius Bank as lenders and ING Bank as Agent and Security Agent.
- Liedekerke advised the Cohabs Group on a convertible loan agreement for a maximum aggregate amount of €100m.
- Assisted Belfius Bank SA/NV with the set-up of a €3.6bn treasury notes programme for Beheersmaatschappij Antwerpen Mobiel.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Freya Mareels
LiedekerkeNext Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Wim Dedecker
LiedekerkePractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Damien Conem, Freya Mareels, Wim Dedecker