Banking, finance and capital markets

Linklaters

Linklaters fields ‘outstanding knowledge, expertise and skills’ in its corporate and finance team, combining regulatory and transactional strength to support clients. Its specialist teams include acquisition and takeover financing, direct lending, project finance, and real estate finance. Debt and equity capital markets remain a mainstay of the practice. Team head Arnaud Coibion specialises in M&A, IPOs, and equity offerings, with particular knowledge of the energy sector. David Ballegeer is ’solution minded’ in his approach to finance transactions, and Anne-Sophie Vankemmelbeke has experience of the full range of capital markets products, in addition to notable strength in general corporate lending and acquisition finance. Filip Lecoutre and Francis Wijnakker are also recommended.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Outstanding knowledge, expertise and skills. Strong knowledge of the Belgian market. Outstanding track-record in high-profile transactions.’
'David Ballegeer and Francis Wijnakker are standout lawyers that are both knowledgeable from a technical perspective, but also from a commercial / market practice perspective. As a result, able to not only comment on the legal aspects of a financing transaction, but also advise on commercial matters. Their input has been invaluable to us.’
‘Very knowledgeable.'
‘David Ballegeer is solution minded.'
‘Great team, strong experience both M&A and ECM.’
‘Filip Lecoutre is a very good partner, very strong knowledge and always available.’
‘Both David Ballegeer and Francis Wijnakker are a pleasure to work with and are extremely knowledgeable.’

Key clients

Elia Group SA
Elia Transmission Belgium
Ethias SA
Solvay SA
UCB SA
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA/NV
Umicore NV
KBC Groep NV
KBC Securities NV
Sibelco NV/SA
Belfius Bank
Kartesia

Work highlights

Assisted Elia Group SA/NV with a €500m cash tender offer for its 2018 hybrid securities and a €400m investment in energyRe Giga Projects.
Advised Solvay SA on its inaugural €1.5bn dual tranche bond issuance, connected to the partial demerger into Syensqo SA.
Advised bpost SA/NV on the €1.3bn financing for its strategic acquisition of Staci group and on securing a new €400m sustainability-linked revolving credit facility.

Lawyers

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