DLA Piper‘s Intellectual Property and Technology Department supports clients on a wide range of IT regulatory issues, helping them stay abreast of evolving complex regulations linked to the development of services and products. The team is adept at handling a range of technology-related work, across transactional, advisory, and pre-litigation stages. The technology team acts for leading global companies and has extensive experience in European and international IT projects. Kristof De Vulder is the head of the team, with over two decades of experience spanning technology contracts, cloud and complex tech transactions, and large-scale disputes. Procurement projects are a strength of the team, De Vulder is renowned for his work in this area, as is Raf Schoefs, who also provides advice on telecommunications law and e-commerce matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Kristof De Vulder and Raf Schoefs are highly skilled, flexible, and result oriented.’

  • ‘What makes this place unique is the warm touch of an extremely knowledgeable, yet very humble group of people. The quality of outcomes, combined with the tech innovation they have developed internally makes the team incredibly interesting to work with. ’

  • ‘This practice is uniquely business-minded and always finds a workable solution. Their expertise in technology matters is outstanding. They are professional, straightforward, and very easy to work with. They always understand your business needs. ’

  • ‘Kristof De Vulder: expert knowledge in technology matters, excellent negotiator, strong focus on finding solutions and getting the deal done. Never 'lawyering for the sake of lawyering'.

  • 'Raf Schoefs has outstanding expert knowledge and is very approachable.'
  • 'Kristof De Vulder and Raf Schoefs are highly skilled, flexible, and result oriented.'
  • 'Their major qualities are their expertise, the quality of communications, their timely delivery, and strong relationship development.'
  • 'Excellent combination of legal and non-legal skills.'

Key clients

  • Adobe
  • Aliaxis
  • Argenta
  • Bank Nagelmackers
  • benerail
  • Cegeka
  • Digipolis
  • Dstny
  • Foodpairing
  • Fluvius
  • iDirect
  • Katoen Natie
  • Keytrade Bank
  • Kinepolis
  • Kuwait Petroleum (Q8)
  • Luminus
  • nexuzhealth
  • Nitro Software
  • Ontex
  • Orange
  • Polhem Infra
  • Q8
  • SAP
  • SD Worx
  • skeyes
  • SNCB/NMBS (Belgian railways)
  • Steria Benelux
  • Toyota Motor Europe
  • UCB

Work highlights

  • Assisting Bank Nagelmackers with its negotiations for its new 'digital core' system in compliance with DORA.
  • Assisting the Flemish Government on all contractual aspects relating to its public tender to select an ERP vendor and ERP implementation partner.
  • Advising Toyota on all regulatory aspects relating to connected cars.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Raf Schoefs
DLA Piper
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Kristof De Vulder

Other key lawyers

Raf Schoefs