Europe - Belgium
1

Industry focus: IT and telecoms

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Stibbe

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Stibbe‘s TMT practice acts for telecom, internet service, and social media providers in contentious and transactional matters, often appearing before both national and international courts. Team head Erik Valgaeren is recognised for his ’exceptional expertise and outstandingly pragmatic approach’. Valgaeren brings longstanding experience to the team, and is widely recognised for his TMT expertise. Carolien Michielsen has a focus on data protection and privacy, as well as artificial intelligence, and cloud and blockchain-related matters. Cyril Fischer is also of note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘A relationship of trust with the lawyers I'm working with and good answering time.’

  • ‘Stibbe has an excellent law firm structure. Appointments are well organised. The premises are modern and equipped with the latest conference technology. The legal expertise is undisputed. The communication in English is excellent.’

  • ‘Erik Valgaeren has exceptional expertise and an outstandingly pragmatic approach. He always keeps a cool head during negotiations and is instrumental in ensuring the success of his clients.’

  • ‘Carolien Michielsen is incredibly quick on the uptake. In contract negotiations, she anticipates issues directly and implements them easily in the interests of her clients. Her professional expertise is undisputed.’

Key clients

  • Microsoft
  • Proximus
  • Lycamobile
  • Belgian Federal Police
  • Verizon
  • DXC Technology Belgium

Work highlights

  • Advised Proximus on the contemplated carve-out and sale of its datacenters and the corresponding housing business / housing customers to a third party buyer, while purchasing back colocation services from that third party, and the carve-out of and centralisation of its B2B-ICT services in its affiliate Proximus ICT.
  • Provided legal support to TotalEnergies in relation to their IT project for replacing a business-critical custom-developed tool with a multi-vendor solution (managed by a central integrator) to manage its core refinery and oil movement processes.
  • Represented Sibelco in a dispute with a major provider regarding the non-performance of the agreement regarding the delivery of SD/WAN services to Sibelco.

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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Carolien Michielsen
Stibbe

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Erik Valgaeren

Other key lawyers

Carolien Michielsen, Cyril Fischer