At Loyens & Loeff, the ‘sharp’ Belgian data protection and privacy group sits within the firm’s wider litigation and risk management practice, and typically works in close co-operation with the Dutch, Luxembourgish and Swiss offices. The workload spans the full gamut of relevant issues, ranging from privacy policy drafting to assistance with data transfers. The team also leverages the support of a well-regarded disputes department to handle contentious mandates. Stéphanie De Smedt is the key senior contact.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Great team with great expertise.’

  • ‘Stéphanie De Smedt is highly available and responsive with practical and intelligible advice in complex matters. She understands the legal needs of technology-driven companies.’

  • ‘For every request received from our business, Stéphanie De Smedt makes her best effort to concretely understand the business need in the current case and our expectations from the firm in this respect. This helps to ensure that we, as a client, receive high-quality legal advice on privacy/data protection matters, adjusted to our expectations at that particular moment.'

  • ‘Clearly, Stéphanie De Smedt leads the practice very well. She has very good pragmatic feedback that enables clients to have a realistic risk-exposure approach. She is highly responsive and fully reliable to meet deadlines.'

  • ‘Loyens & Loeff Belgium's data protection team offers an amazing combination of specific data protection knowledge and industry knowledge, and quickly mastered the complex details of the case. They take a step extra to make their advice clear and practical and are always quick to respond to additional questions.’

  • ‘It's a true pleasure working with the superbly knowledgeable Stéphanie De Smedt, who quickly spots the sensitive topics in the case and offers practical solutions.’

  • ‘Deep knowledge and comprehension of the client's needs.’

  • ‘Sharp and always looking for cutting edge advice. I would emphasize the work of Stéphanie De Smedt.’

Key clients

  • Joos Consulting
  • Legrand Nederland B.V.
  • Stanley and Stella SA
  • Meta Platforms Ireland Limited
  • Demant A/S

Work highlights

  • Represented Meta Platforms Ireland in proceedings regarding restrictions imposed on - and content removed from - a Facebook page and ad account.
  • Advised a global manufacturer on setting up a complete GDPR compliance framework.
  • Assisted Demant with the acquisition of the audiology branch of Goed Hulpmiddelen.

Lawyers

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.

Stéphanie De Smedt