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Corporate and M&A

Our team offers trusted advisors who will provide you with practical and business-wise solutions in all Corporate and M&A matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance issues, corporate reorganisations, corporate advice, private equity, joint ventures and corporate litigation.

You can rely on our team, one of the largest in Belgium, for all types of transactions from the common to the most complex. By combining their expertise and knowledge, our lawyers can quickly address your corporate and M&A needs, whether they arise in Belgium or abroad. For cross-border transactions, we work on a daily basis with top-tier foreign law firms.

Damien CONEM
Partner, Head of Practice
d.conem@liedekerke.com
T : +32 2 551 14 85

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OUR CLIENTS

Whether you are a start-up, or a small, mid-cap or listed company, we can offer the appropriate solution for your business. In addition to companies of all types and sizes we regularly assist government and other public entities and non-profit associations.

OUR APPROACH: YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS

You can rely on our assistance to achieve your business goals. We contribute by acting responsively and professionally, by staffing your projects with talented and passionate lawyers and by identifying and mitigating legal risks.

We believe that delivering pragmatic legal advice requires a close partnership with our clients and we are willing to get to know you and become part of your team, for example through secondments, which we offer regularly.

Because decisions regarding Corporate and M&A matters cannot be taken without taking into account other legal aspects, whenever necessary we team up with the various other experts within Liedekerke (tax, environment, employment, real estate, and others).

OUR TEAM

With 8 partners, one of counsel and more than 25 associates, we are one of the largest Corporate and M&A teams in the market. The team combines highly specialised expertise with broad knowledge of corporate law and M&A as well as strong experience in litigation relating to corporate and M&A issues.

Our lawyers are fluent in English, French and Dutch. Several members of the Corporate and M&A team also speak German, Italian or Spanish.

Members of our team teach in Belgium and abroad, publish frequently and are regularly called upon to advise on draft legislation. Some are asked to sit as arbitrators or judges.

OUR SERVICES

Mergers and Acquisitions

Our expertise covers all types of negotiated transactions (share deals, asset deals, setting up of joint ventures, and corporate reorganisations pre- and post-transaction), whether domestic or cross-border:

Through all steps of the process, from letter of intent to post-closing assistance;
Acting for the purchaser, target, seller or financial advisor;
For all types of legal entities;
In any type of business sector.

In addition, we handle hostile and friendly take-over bids.

Joint Ventures

We also regularly advise on all aspects of Belgian and cross-border joint ventures and business alliances. Joint ventures are often set up for purposes such as research, technology exchange, licensing, co-production or distribution. Whenever necessary, we collaborate closely with other departments within Liedekerke in order to produce a legal framework that adequately protects our client’s position.

Private Equity

We counsel institutional investors, private equity funds and portfolio companies on negotiating and documenting all types of investment (buyouts and minority stakes) and exits, and on the management of their portfolios.

Corporate Governance

We regularly assist companies with setting up, reviewing and restructuring their governance structure, from planning a new structure to implementation.

We have in-depth experience with companies that are subject to a specific supervisory regime, such as listed companies, financial institutions, collective investment funds, and government-controlled companies.

Corporate reorganisations

We regularly assist our clients with group reorganisations. We provide practical and tailor-made solutions taking into account not only all the legal constraints (corporate, tax, employment, regulatory issues, etc.) but also business needs.

General Corporate Counselling

We assist clients with all general corporate matters, such as setting up companies or branches, advising on (minority) shareholders’ rights, conflict of interest rules in corporate bodies, personal liability of board members, share capital increases, dividend distributions, corporate housekeeping, etc.

Our assistance includes identifying required corporate actions as well as drafting all necessary documentation, and maintaining relations with notaries, chambers of commerce, etc.

Litigation

Clients frequently consult us about corporate litigation such as shareholders’ disputes, enforcement of joint venture agreements, forced purchase of shares, etc.

Download our Corporate and M&A brochure in PDF

Experience Highlights
Team members
Publications
News & Events

Recent work includes:

A key role in the corporate and M&A aspects of the high-profile acquisition by the Belgian State of two major Belgian banks.
Assisting the Belgian State against Ping An in relation to the CIRDI Fortis case Assisting the leading operator of hypermarkets, large-scale retail centres and other groups in Belgium with their corporate reorganisations.
Assisting a major German motor vehicle manufacturer with its acquisition of a Dutch financial conglomerate’s car leasing business, and in the subsequent Belgian corporate reorganisation.
Advising a large corporation active in hazardous and non-hazardous waste treatment on the disposal of its non-hazardous waste activities in Belgium.
Assisting a large fund with various large scale infrastructure and/or transportation projects (assistance with setting up the consortium structure, project management, bidding process, etc).
Regularly giving advice about credit institutions, insurance companies and company groups’ corporate governance structure.
Regularly advising on delicate corporate law issues.

Seminars

News

What others say about us

‘They are a very responsive team and easy to work with. They give accurate fee estimates and do not surprise with unexpected fees. Their lawyers are first-rate and provide commercially sensible and comprehensive advice.‘

‘Very reliable, reactive and sound approaches to issues at stake, avoiding unnecessary complexities but nevertheless achieving the objectives. A really effective and practical approach to legal advice!‘

‘Professionalism and collegial approach works perfectly. Working with them now for a number of years leads to a business understanding which gives a quick understanding of the issues leading to better/fast solutions.‘

‘The team led by Damien Conem is extremely well organized, prompt, competent and pragmatic. They make complex projects seem simple and run smoothly. Fees are reasonable.‘

‘Customer-oriented, dedicated and flexible.‘

‘Pleasant and perfect to work with, well skilled and up-to-date knowledge.‘

‘Damien Conem is incredibly hardworking, knowledgeable and dedicated. He will get the deal done as efficiently as possible.‘

‘We had a very good experience working with Wim Dedecker and Charlotte Schaumans. They are very pleasant to deal with, responsive and reliable.‘

‘Christel Van den Eynden is unusually available and truly listens to her clients, building a strong rapport and understanding of expectations so that she can deliver the desired result. She is a pleasure to work with and can stand up to defend the client concerns arduously.‘

‘Ellen Vermeire is an up and coming young associate who makes sure that things are done when needed and is understanding and attentive to client requests, expectations and desires.‘

‘Damien Conem makes the difference. He’s not ‘simply’ one of the best M&A experts in the kingdom. He has a pragmatical approach and understands directly where we want to go (or not). Given our regular collaboration over the last years he knows very well our DNA in the aerospace sector, which is a strong and valuable advantage.‘

-- Legal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A 2020

Clients praise the "very quick, sensible and helpful" lawyers for being "very responsive and a pleasure to deal with."

Another client admires the team members for being "willing and capable to integrate and explain very detailed and historical issues."

Christel Van den Eynden is routinely instructed on cross-border acquisitions and investments and is active within the telecommunications, automotive and life sciences sectors. An impressed client adds: "She has extensive M&A experience and commercial acumen. She has the ability to clearly articulate key legal risks, cut through the issues and provide solutions."

Damien Conem regularly handles cross-border acquisitions and is particularly active within the energy sector. Sources remark that he is "on top of his game" with "very good client service."

Jacques Meunier assists listed companies and shareholders with public takeover bids, call option agreements and equity raises. Clients value his "excellent communication skills and ability to sense the critical matters."

-- Chambers Europe & Chambers Global Corporate / M&A 2020

The firm has experience working on cross-border M&A and project finance involving the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes region.

Christel Van den Eynden is a "very experienced and savvy M&A lawyer" who is "very personable and commercial," according to clients.

-- Chambers Global 2018

"Damien Conem is a true deal maker who feels the subtleties that go around the table in negotiations," according to one client, who adds: "He is always seeking solutions in very complex situations. He's a real problem solver."

-- Chambers Global 2018

"Dans l’ensemble, nous avons été impressionnés par l’excellente prestation de Liedekerke, sa qualité, sa fiabilité et sa disponibilité. Nous voudrions souligner le niveau exceptionnel du service, du soutien et des conseils que nous avons reçus de la part de l’équipe Corporate et M&A. Leurs connaissances, la justesse de leurs avis, leur sens des affaires et leur sérieux nous ont été d’une aide inestimable pour la progression de la transaction. En dépit des défis qu’elle posait (transaction transfrontalière impliquant un acheteur étranger, un vendeur belge et sa société mère étrangère, à conclure dans un délai très court avec des équipes travaillant sous différents fuseaux horaires), elle a été conclue comme prévu grâce aux conseils efficaces et judicieux prodigués par Liedekerke."

"Indiscutablement, Liedekerke offre un service de premier ordre et fait preuve d’un niveau remarquable de compétence et de fiabilité."

-- Citation anonyme d'un client

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Corporate and M&A

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