As well as advising on a wide range of corporate matters that include strategic M&A, private equity deals, restructurings, and disputes, Racine also handles an array of commercial issues, with a particular penchant for advising clients in the retail sector. Buy-and-build transactions, corporate reorganisations, and franchising and distribution issues are further areas of focus for the team, which is jointly led by commercial retail and e-commerce expert Stijn Claeys and domestic and cross-border M&A specialist Anthony Van der Hauwaert .

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Very knowledge and solution-driven.’

  • ‘We appreciate the hands-on and no-nonsense approach of Stijn Claeys.’

  • ‘Holistic approach and commercial realism.’

  • ‘Availability, readiness to act and professionalism.’

  • ‘The team comprises specialists with a no-nonsense mindset and a commitment to clear and efficient communication.’

  • ‘The individual contacts we have at Racine stand out not only for their legal expertise, but also for their empathy and deep understanding of the sector and market in which we operate.’

  • ‘The responsiveness and availability of Stijn Claeys and his team are a real plus. Customers feel immediately supported, and quickly receive clear answers to their questions. Follow-up and communication are excellent.’

  • ‘Racine is a hands-on law firm with a partner (Stijn Claeys) that is always available and understands the business of its clients and helps its clients to find pragmatic solutions to (potential) disputes.’

Key clients

  • AG Insurance
  • Aon
  • MS Amlin Insurance SE
  • Avus
  • Axa Belgium
  • Dekra
  • DKV Belgium
  • Ethias
  • HDI Global SE
  • KBC
  • Legal Village
  • NN Insurance Belgium
  • Sedgwick
  • Van Ameyde Belgium
  • Argenta Assuranties
  • HDI Global Specialty SE

Work highlights

  • Assisted European production and distribution firm Fremantle with the acquisition of a majority stake in ATeam productions.
  • Assisted the builder’s merchant BMC with several bolt-on acquisitions as well as an intragroup restructuring.
  • Advised the shareholders of Gesibois on the combination of their activity with that of Vanrobaeys and their subsequent reinvestment in the combined group company Wopaco.

Lawyers

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Stijn Claeys, Anthony Van der Hauwaert