Allen & Overy LLP‘s longstanding expertise in domestic cartel defence, merger control and antitrust litigation work ensures that an impressive and growing roster of local and global market leaders – particularly those operating in the TMT sector – instructs the group. Recently, the team has also increasingly been advising on Belgian foreign direct investment rules, levering the strength of the firm’s public law department. Dirk Arts heads up the department, supported by a deep bench of specialised senior associates , including the newly promoted Nele De Backer.

As well as handling a plethora of complex cartel investigations and abuse of dominance cases, contrast is regularly instructed to act in interim measures cases before the Belgian Competition Authority. The firm has also carved out a niche for itself in high-level sports disputes where competition law issues are in issue. The core senior bench comprises founding partner Filip Tuytschaever, merger control expert Herlinde Burez, and newly promoted partner Sébastien Engelen.

At Covington & Burling LLP, the key senior contact for Belgian competition work is Johan Ysewyn, who also co-heads the firm’s global offering in this space and acts as managing partner of the Brussels office. Merger control filings, cartel investigations, monopolisation cases and other conduct investigations make up the team’s regular workload. Of counsels Carole Maczkovics and Melissa Van Schoorisse round out the group.

The integrated antitrust litigation group at Stibbe is widely known for successfully representing a roster of notable clients before the Belgian Competition Authority, as well as regularly handling follow-on damages claims, and cases relating to illegal state aid. As well as its contentious excellence, the team is also noted for advising on merger control issues and joint ventures. Peter Wytinck and Sophie Van Besien are the key partner-level names to note. Counsel Quentin Declève joined from Van Bael & Bellis in January 2023, further boosting the team’s significant litigious strength.

The team at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has significant experience representing public and private companies before the Belgian Competition Authority and in competition-related litigation before the Brussels Court of Appeal and local commercial courts. Merger control proceedings are another key area of specialism for the firm, with key senior practitioners including Nicholas Levy – who splits his time between the Brussels and London offices – and Robbert Snelders standing out for their expertise in this field. In April 2022, the practice was further strengthened by the arrival of Isabel Rooms from Linklaters.

Between them, CMS‘ senior practitioners Annabelle Lepièce and Dirk Van Liedekerke provide both breadth of expertise and clear industry focus, with the former standing out for her knowledge of state aid work in the aviation sector, while the latter is widely recognised for his expertise at the intersection of competition and telecoms law. Antitrust cases, merger control proceedings, cartel investigations, and issues relating to foreign direct investments are also capably handled by the wider team.

Crowell & Moring is best known for handling competition law issues for notable clients operating in the telecoms and media industries, including representing such household names before the Belgian Competition Authority and the Market Court. Thomas De Meese and Karel Bourgeois lead on the key mandates; between them, their regular practices span foreign direct investment screening, the regulation of state aid and subsidies, advice on distribution issues, and provision of antitrust compliance programmes. In May 2023, counsel Benjamin Geisel joined from Allen & Overy LLP.

Under the leadership of Grégoire Ryelandt, Deprevernet maintains its stellar reputation for abuse of dominance cases. The team also continues to stand out as an advisor of choice for day-to-day competition law issues for major names from the gamut of industry sectors; founding partner Evrard De Lophem is particularly active on behalf of TMT clients. In addition, the group is regularly instructed by the Belgian Competition Authority to represent it in appeals of its decisions before the Market Court.

The team at Jones Day leverages the strength of its deep senior bench to expertly handle major Belgian-level merger proceedings, abuse of dominance cases, state aid issues, and follow-on litigation, including acting in proceedings before domestic courts and administrative bodies. Bernard Amory, who co-leads the firm’s global antitrust and competition practice, and Alexandre Verheyden, who oversees the Brussels office, both have significant experience in transatlantic merger and cartel work. Other key contacts in the practice include Laurent De Muyter and Yvan Desmedt.

Liedekerke‘s capabilities span the gamut of contentious and advisory competition matters, including merger control cases, dawn raids, cartel investigations, and compliance programs. Ex-President of the Belgian Competition Authority Stefaan Raes and former in-house counsel Vincent Mussche bring their specific experiences to the team, allowing the firm to leverage a range of viewpoints. Recently, clients have been increasingly reliant on the department to assist with navigating through the Belgian foreign direct investment screening regime.

Household names across the gamut of industry sectors continue to instruct Quinz, relying on the firm’s proficiency in both handling contentious antitrust mandates and advising on commercial strategies in the competition field. Experienced litigator Wim De Meester was promoted to partner in January 2023, shoring up the team’s capabilities in that space. The arrival of counsel Nathalie Smuha from Jones Day in November 2022 further developed the group’s abilities around the regulation of digital technology, already an area of considerable strength.

With a particular focus on highly regulated sectors – including energy, insurance, retail, telecoms and transport – Strelia regularly appears before the Belgian Competition Authority on merger clearance cases, as well as handling notifications and third-party interventions. The team is also well known for litigating damage actions resulting from anti-competitive practices and regulatory infringements before domestic courts. Pierre Goffinet leads on much of the work, supported by counsel Laure Bersou and associate Mediona Shehu.

Regularly appearing before the Belgian Competition Authority and national courts, Van Bael & Bellis fields a specialised team which is well placed to handle merger control cases, abuse of dominance investigations, and distribution issues. The firm is particularly well regarded for its strength in the healthcare and life sciences industries, with practice head Peter L’Ecluse providing key expertise in these fields. Kris Van Hove is the group’s damages litigation specialist, and is instrumental both in handling such mandates locally, and co-ordinating the response across Europe.

Merger control forms the core of the practice at ALTIUS; the firm is skilled in clearances from the Belgian Competition Authority, as well as co-ordinating filings. Recently, the team has also seen a dramatic increase in antitrust damages litigations cases, which are fast becoming an area of specialism. Carmen Verdonck oversees the department, working closely with recently promoted counsel Beatrijs Gielen, for whom IP-related competition law issues are a particular strength.

Ashurst LLP‘s team is valued by clients for its experience in both restrictive practices and merger control cases; both of these areas are key focuses for highly regarded practitioner Annick Vroninks. Denis Fosselard, who is dual qualified in both Brussels and Rome, is a particular expert in state aid and behavioural matters. In September 2022, Esther Kelly joined the firm from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, bringing additional strength in abuse of dominance work to the group.

Under the leadership of Kurt Haegeman, who is particularly noted for his work in the consumer goods and retail industries, the team at Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL expertly handles domestic merger control cases, provides general compliance advice, and represents clients in relevant litigation. Recently, the firm has also been growing its investigations expertise. Counsel Bram Hoorelbeke is another key contact.

Bird & Bird offers clients from a range of heavily-regulated industries expertise in both competition and trade law, and is consquently increasingly instructed to advise on foreign subsidies and foreign direct investment control mechanisms. Cartel investigations are another rapidly growing area, while advice on distribution, online sale and geo-blocking issues also continues to keep the group busy. José Rivas and Hein Hobbelen are the key senior names to note.

Private and public sector clients alike turn to the experienced team at Eubelius to handle cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, as well as the gamut of transactional work. The firm is regularly instructed to act in disputed matters, including appeals against decisions and fines before the Brussels Court of Appeal. Jan Bocken has a strong focus on the regulated industries, particularly public transport and mobility, telecoms and energy. Hans Gilliams  is noted for his state aid expertise.

The practice at Linklaters is split between merger control and behavioural matters, with the team regularly appearing before the Belgian Competition Authority and domestic courts of all levels. Bernd Meyring, who is known for his expertise in anti-cartel proceedings, and counsel Lodewick Prompers, who has oversight of work in the Benelux region, jointly head up the department. Liliane Gam is another key senior contact.

McDermott Will & Emery Belgium LLP is well known for successfully obtaining merger clearances, as well as defending clients in cartel investigations. State aid work is another stalwart for the team. The key contact for domestic competition work at the firm is Hendrik Viaene, who has particularly strength in the financial services, chemicals, construction, technology, pharmaceutical, and healthcare industries.