From employment and IP issues to real estate and restructuring work, DLA Piper is equipped to assist major retailers, landlords and investors with advisory and contentious work across the retail spectrum. Leadership of the team, which is praised for its ‘good insights into the needs and strategy of a company’, is split between soft IP expert Alexis Fierens and Charlotte Sas, who is well versed in retail restructurings. Ilse Van de Mierop is regularly called upon to assist retail clients in financial distress, while Eddy Lievens is able to leverage his employment expertise to advise major brands and retailers on a range of domestic and cross-border employment issues.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Very good insights in the needs and strategy of a company, the market it operates in and its risk acceptance level.’

  • ‘Alexis Fierens, Jean-Louis Kerrels and Heidi Waem are very responsive. Their advice is to the point and very pragmatic. They respect the client's needs and do not hide behind lengthy theoretical advice.'

Key clients

  • Rituals
  • Candy Hoover Group
  • Fred
  • JD Sports Fashion
  • Nichols
  • Exterioo
  • Juntoo
  • Van Kelegom Group
  • Pierre Degand SA
  • Dior
  • Dentsu
  • Duracell
  • Ontex
  • BD myShopi
  • Burberry
  • Casa International NV
  • Clarks Shoes
  • Daniel Wellington
  • Dr Martens Airwair
  • Easykit
  • IKKS
  • Karen Millen
  • Levi Strauss
  • Louise Vuitton Services Europe
  • New Balance
  • Q8 (Kuwait Petroleum (Belgium))
  • Realo (Belgium) NV
  • Spotify
  • Supergroup (including Superdry brand)

Work highlights

  • Advised Dutch cosmetics company Rituals regarding the new provisions on price reduction following its intention to grant price advantages to consumers by applying joint purchase and discount campaigns.
  • Advised JD Sports on wide-ranging matters, including on whether it should make its products accessible to Belgian customers via a Belgian website or via another website with adapted terms and conditions.
  • Assisted Candy Hoover Group with a review of its warranty statements under Belgian law and the identification of unlawful clauses or other pitfalls.

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.

Alexis Fierens, Charlotte Sas

Other key lawyers

Eddy Lievens, Joris De Vos, Ilse Van de Mierop, Jean-Louis Kerrels, Heidi Waem