Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton‘s corporate practice stands out for its ability to handle market-leading transactions and corporate governance matters, with the team regularly advising on M&A, private equity and venture capital deals, joint ventures, and demergers. Alongside privately and publicly held multinationals and Belgian companies, the team also regularly advises public sector clients on an array of privatisation and governance matters. Anti-takeover defence matters and corporate governance questions in the context of ESG represent growing areas of focus for the team. The practice is co-led by Laurent Legein and Laurent Ruzette, who are particularly noted for their advice in the context of unique and complex transactions including “option to acquire” deals and corporate spin-offs, and by Marijke Spooren, who boasts extensive experience handling private equity investments.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The Cleary team is a stand-out team with a broad practice encompassing work on leading public and private M&A and capital markets matters, as well as a profound knowledge of the questions that are specific to listed companies. Their broad expertise, swift availability and strong delivery make them a go-to firm in these areas.’

  • ‘Laurent Legein, leading practitioner with a very broad knowledge of M&A and listed company matters and clear strategic thinking.’

  • ‘Marijke Spooren, very responsive and pragmatic partner who always goes the extra mile for her clients.’

Key clients

  • AbbVie
  • Ahold Delhaize
  • Aliaxis
  • Allianz
  • Amador Bioscience
  • ArcelorMittal
  • Banque Degroof Petercam
  • Befimmo
  • Bekaert
  • BNP Paribas
  • bpost
  • Carlyle
  • Collibra
  • Consortium Ducale
  • CVC Capital Partners
  • D’Ieteren
  • Eurofima
  • Frère Bourgeois
  • Groupe Novasep
  • Goodyear
  • Infrabel
  • International Post Corporation
  • IQVIA
  • Monument Re
  • Nethys
  • NN Group
  • OCI
  • Ontex
  • Ottobock
  • Showpad
  • Sixth Street Partners
  • Sofina
  • Solvay
  • Umicore
  • Warburg Pincus

Work highlights

  • Represented Banque Degroof Petercam in its proposed sale to Indosuez Wealth Management, an entity of the Credit Agricole group, for €1.55bn.
  • Advised Solvay on the ongoing preparation of a separation into two independent listed companies, being Syensqo and Solvay.
  • Advised Ontex on the sale of its Mexican business activities and related exports to regional markets to Softys.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Laurent Legein, Laurent Ruzette, Marijke Spooren

Other key lawyers

Christophe Wauters, Jan-Frederik Keustermans