Liedekerke‘s practice consists of ’specialists in different areas of the retail business’, advising clients on a wide range of retail related matters involving competition, employment, real estate, and IP elements. Olivier Vanden Berghe leads the firm’s commercial contracts and litigation practice, assisting retail clients with distribution networks and cooperation agreements. Etienne Kairis also leads the team, with extensive experience in IP rights work, and particular knowledge of the automotive companies. Rounding up the leadership team are Yves Delacroix and Paul Geerebaert, with real estate and employment expertise respectively. Sarah Van Den Brande is noted.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘This practice is unique by gathering specialists in different areas of the retail business. This allows us to find - at all times - the right partner with the best experience to help us in every specific case we are facing. ’

  • ‘Paul Geerebaert is my main contact person an he's really a unique partner when it comes to give the right advice in terms of contracts with franchisers for example. This is the base for a secure business. Paul delegates some topics to his colleagues when these are more experienced in that particular field, which is also a great asset for us and gives us the best advice at any time.’

  • ‘Strong team.’

  • ‘Etienne Kairis has very strong sector knowledge of automotive industry.’

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Key clients

  • Colruyt
  • Intermarché Belgium
  • Circle K
  • Intersport Belgium
  • Decathlon Belgium
  • Grand Opticiens Belgium
  • INNO
  • Kia Motors Belgium
  • LIDL
  • Louis Vuitton Services Europe
  • Pandora
  • Veepee
  • Wereldhave
  • TESLA
  • Mercedes-Benz Belgium Luxembourg
  • Coolblue
  • Honda Motors Europe Benelux Branch

Work highlights

  • Assisting Intermarché Belgium in proceedings initiated before the Paris Commercial Court by the French Minister of Economy against the Intermarché Alimentaire International; Intermarché Entreprises and Intermarché Belgium because of alleged unfair commercial practices and unfair terms in their b2b contracts with suppliers
  • Advising Michael Kors on the preparation and implementation of new working schedules and work rules for its Belgian stores, overtime work regimes and several dismissal cases.
  • Assisting Lidl with all of its files in the 3 Belgian regions in which a real estate and/or environment question is involved and advising the retailer on all its expansion plans in Belgium, covering transactions, developments and litigation.

Lawyers

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.

Olivier Vanden Berghe, Etienne Kairis, Yves Delacroix, Paul Geerebaert

Other key lawyers

Sarah van den Brande