Banking, finance and capital markets

Baker McKenzie BV/SRL

Characterised by a combination of ‘high level of legal expertise’ and ’deep specific sector experience’, the banking and finance and corporate finance team at Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL is noted for its experience in the biotech and healthcare sectors. The capital markets offering, led by Roel Meers, stands out for its equity capital markets work, collaborating with colleagues internationally, while leveraged finance, real estate finance, and syndicated lending are key areas of strength for the banking and finance team headed up by Michael Van Acker. Within the banking and finance team, Joren Janseunne is particularly noted.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Combine a high level of legal expertise with deep specific sector experience and are able to translate the many regulatory constraints and implications into practicable and understandable action points for layman clients like for instance management teams doing a first time IPO.'
‘Both Roel Meers and Koen Vanhaerents are seasoned capital markets and corporate lawyers. Their legal expertise is outstanding and so is their knowledge of their clients' businesses, issuers and banks alike, and of the investors point of view and market cycles.’
‘Out of the box thinking, capacity to deliver a condense opinion in a format understandable to non-lawyers.’
‘Strong expertise in bank and uni-tranche financing that we use for financing buy-outs. Good relationship with local banking community which is relevant to get things done.'
‘The team is very knowledgeable and experienced. Very communicative and easy to collaborate with.’
‘Very good team mastering tax and corporate in the same person.’
‘Luc Meeus is a very good tax and fund lawyer, very well connected in the Belgian tax ecosystem.’
'Roel Meers is very experienced and very knowledgeable, also about complicated transaction structures. He also supported by a strong team of younger lawyers - all in all makes it one of the best legal ECM teams on the Belgian market.’

Key clients

Agristo
Alexander Peter Wealth Management
American Express
Apheon
Arab Banking Corporation S.C.A.
Assuralia
Baloise Belgium NV
Bank Degroof Petercam
Belfius Bank NV
Berenberg
Biocartis Group
BNP Paribas Fortis NV
Caisse d'Epargne Hauts de France
Capricorn Partners NV
Choron
Clearstream
Cobelfret
Creafin NV
Credendo
Equilis Europe
Ergon Capital
Febelfin
Fidelity
Fortino Capital Partners
Galapagos
GIMV
HSBC Continental Europe
ING België NV
Ingram Micro
JP Morgan
KBC Bank NV
KBC Securities
Keppel Fund Management Limited
Lombard International Assurance
Mastercard
MDxHealth
MeDirect Bank NV
Mithra Pharmaceuticals
Mollie B.V.
N26 Bank
Nuveen Alternative Advisors
Orange
Pensioenfonds Metaal OFP
Pierre Marcolini
PMV Fund Management NV
Revive Fund Management NV
Sequana Medical
Sonian Holdings NV
Telenet
Toyota Financial Services
Value Square NV
Van Lanschot Kempen

Work highlights

Advised Biocartis Group on the agreement by the company's Secured Creditors on a recapitalization of its operating subsidiaries and comprehensive balance sheet restructuring transaction that materially de-levered the operating business by reducing its debt burden by EUR132mm and recapitalised it with EUR40m of new equity capital under the ownership of the Secured Creditors.
Advised JP Morgan on a bridge financing for bpost SA/NV for the purposes of its acquisition of Staci's shares from Ardian and other minority shareholders, with a view to position itself as a leader in e-commerce and omnichannel logistics and fulfilment in Europe.
Advised Gimv on the acquisition by WorxInvest of a 27.81% stake in Gimv from the Flemish Participation Company (VPM) in a transaction valued at EUR375m.