Janson
Janson‘s dispute resolution practice is commended for its ’multidisciplinary and multilingual approach that is necessary in Belgium and at the border of different cultures’. White-collar crime work is a cornerstone of the team; Céline Masschelein has vast expertise across fraud, forgery, money laundering, and bankruptcy issues. Masschelein is part of the team's leadership, which consists of ‘fierce courtroom fighter’ Dominique Blommaert, Cédric Alter, and Didier Bracke. Also of note is Lydie Van Muylem, who has extensive knowledge of banking and finance law; she is commended alongside associate Jens Benoot for being ‘client-driven and good practitioners’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Janson has the multidisciplinary and multilingual approach that is necessary in Belgium and at the border of different cultures.’
‘Long-lasting collaboration with the same people builds confidence and improves the quality of the advice they give.’
‘One of the largest litigation teams in the Belgian market, and a reference in corporate disputes. Built around Dominique Blommaert, who is the absolute rainmaker of Janson.’
‘Dominique Blommaert: fierce courtroom fighter, strong negotiator. Jens Bennoot: up and coming.’
‘Pragmatic, efficient, complementary, reacting very quickly, always searching for the best solution for clients.'
‘Dominique Blommaert and Ruth Declerck are very reactive, no-nonsense, think out of the box, and are very convincing. The feeling is that they really defend our rights in a very constructive and intelligent way without wasting any time.’
‘A team that is available and responsive. They are to the point and don't waste time with pointless discussions.’
‘Jens Benoot and Lydie Van Muylem particularly stood out as they are client-driven and good practitioners who know their subject and know how to use the right arguments in litigation matters.’
Key clients
- Belfius Bank
- KBC Bank
- AIG
- Banque Degroof Petercam
- ING Bank & Record Credits (subsidiary of ING Bank)
- Sambrinvest
- Banque de Luxembourg
- Belfius Lease
- Yoshi
Work highlights
- Acting as co-lead counsel to Belfius Bank in the collective action brought by the Arco-shareholders.
- Acting for the former CEO of the Euronext-listed retail fashion group FNG in a dispute with the regulator FSMA, minority shareholders and bondholders.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Janson
Partner Céline Masschelein joined Janson as a partner in March 2016, after having been Counsel in the Litigation & Arbitration department of Allen & Overy. Céline has a special focus on white collar crime (such as imputations of fraud, forgery, corruption, money laundering, bankruptcy offences) on the one hand and all forms of corporate litigation on the other hand (such as post-acquisition disputes and all possible disputes between (and liabilities of) shareholders, board directors, auditors and other corporate actors). Céline has more than 20 years of experience in dealing with complex national and international disputes in both business and financial criminal law, with specific expertise in the interaction between the two areas. She has already assisted several international and Belgian companies involved in both civil and criminal proceedings. Céline also works within the framework of arbitration and mediation procedures (ADR) and also advises clients preventively. Her broad procedural experience provides added value in drawing up contracts, avoiding disputes and actively working towards amicable settlements. References Counsel to a Fortis bank employee (risk manager) involved as an indicted party in the criminal and civil proceedings following the collapse of Fortis Part of the team that represented SAirGroup in Belgian civil and criminal proceedings following the Sabena bankruptcy for almost fifteen years. The criminal investigation file consisted of 45,000 pages and led to a definitive acquittal of SAirGroup in 2015 Treatment of a Belgian satellite file of Portuguese proceedings following the liquidation of a large Portuguese bank which ran into severe financing difficulties after the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the ensuing severe crisis in the financial markets Representative of a Dutch public art funding organisation which was the victim of fraud and embezzlement by its former CFO Advisor on the risk associated with an asset acquisition of a virtually bankrupt company by the target company (including risk associated with the potential nullity of the transaction/shareholders’ decision (abuse of majority), actio pauliana and claim for gross negligence of the trustee and potential criminal liability)
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Dominique Blommaert, Cédric Alter, Didier Bracke, Céline Masschelein