M&A - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Officer
- Office Team
Job Titles:
- Co - Head
- Partner
- Member of the Brussels
- Specialist
Bart Bellen is a specialist in corporate law and M&A, and also advises on certain other business law matters.
Bart advises individuals, companies and (international) associations, and assists them with corporate and commercial transactions, as well as contentious proceedings. He handles cross-border M&A transactions and multi-jurisdictional corporate restructurings, litigation and arbitration.
Bart is a founding partner of contrast. He regularly speaks at universities and conferences on corporate law and M&A related topics.
His publications include the book ‘Share Purchase Agreements - Belgian Law and Practice' (Antwerp/Cambridge, Intersentia, 2016), the M&A Survey (TRV/RPS 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017, 2021) and ‘M&A Kroniek / Chronique de jurisprudence en M&A (2000-2017)', a review of 18 years of M&A related jurisprudence published by TRV/RPS in 2019.
Bart graduated from the University of Leuven (KU Leuven) in 1996 and obtained a Master's degree (LL.M.) at New York University School of Law in 1997.
Bart Bellen is a member of the Brussels and New York Bar. He speaks Dutch, French and English.
Sources describe "knowledgeable and thorough" department co-head Bart Bellen as a "deal maker who can translate negotiation issues into a win-win for both parties." He has notable experience of advising on transactions involving the retail and chemical sectors. He always goes 100% for his client's interests, whithout losing his awareness of the commercial setting needed to reach agreements.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Member of the Brussels
Benjamin Magnus joined contrast in 2017 and is a senior associate since 2022. Benjamin is a lawyer specialized in litigation and EU competition law. He handles litigation matters in EU, competition and commercial law and advises and assists clients in proceedings before both judicial courts and competition authorities.
Before joining contrast, Benjamin completed a traineeship at the European Commission's DG Competition.
Benjamin holds a master's degree in law from Ghent University and an LL.M. in International and European Law from the Institute for European Studies (VUB). During his law studies he also spent a semester at Auckland University in New Zealand.
Benjamin has written on the selectivity of tax measures under EU State aid rules.
Benjamin Magnus is a member of the Brussels bar. He speaks Dutch, English and French.
Berto Pals joined contrast in September 2019. He is a commercial law specialist, also handling commercial litigation. Berto is also a member of the contrast Distribution Law Center.
Berto contributed to the Vrije Universiteit Brussels' Yearbook 'Juridische Meesterwerken VUB 2018-2019', published by Intersentia in 2021, with his master's thesis on the profile of the Data Protection Officer.
Before joining contrast, he was an intern at Anheuser-Busch InBev and data protection specialist at the University of Brussels (VUB). In 2020 and 2021, he was a guest lecturer in a data protection course at Group-T/KU Leuven.
Berto holds a master degree in law from the University of Brussels (VUB) and a bachelor degree in Legal Practice from UC-Leuven Limburg (UCLL). He speaks Dutch, English and French.
Camille holds a master's degree in law from the University of Leuven (KU Leuven, 2021) and a master's degree in general management from Vlerick Business School (2022). During her law studies, she spent a semester at the University of Geneva where she obtained a certificate in transnational law.
Camille is admitted to the Brussels bar and speaks Dutch, English and French.
Education
Vlerick Business School (Master in general management, 2022)
University of Leuven (Master in Law, 2021)
University of Geneva (Switzerland) (Exchange programme, 2019)
Experience
contrast (2022-present)
Cathy Van den Branden joined contrast as a paralegal in September 2020. She is a member of the Corporate and Commercial law team, as well as the contrast Distribution Law Center.
Before joining contrast, she was an intern at Stibbe. Cathy also tutored in law at Studant vzw. She is frequently invited as a guest lecturer at UC Leuven-Limburg (UCLL).
Cathy holds a bachelor's degree in Legal Practice from UC-Leuven Limburg (UCLL). She speaks Dutch, English and French.
Charlotte holds a master's degree in law from the University of Ghent (UGent, 2022) and a master's degree in corporate law from the University of Leuven (KU Leuven 2023). During her law studies, she spent a semester at the University of Copenhagen.
Charlotte is admitted to the Brussels bar and speaks Dutch, English and French.
Education
University of Leuven (Master in Corporate Law, 2023)
University of Ghent (Master in Law, 2022)
University of Copenhagen (Denmark) (Exchange programme, 2021)
Experience
contrast (2023 - present)
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the Brussels Bar
Céline Mergeay joined contrast in 2018. She specializes in corporate law and M&A transactions. As a member of the corporate and M&A team, Céline contributes to various publication projects, such as ‘M&A Kroniek / Chronique de jurisprudence en M&A (2000-2017)' and the M&A Survey (5th edition, 2021). She is also a regular speaker at conferences and seminars.
Céline holds a master degree in Law from the University of Leuven (2017) and she obtained an LL.M. degree in International Business Law at Queen Mary, University of London in 2018.
Céline is a member of the Brussels Bar. She speaks Dutch, English and French.
Daniel holds a Master's degree in public and international law from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), as well as an LL.M. in International and European business law from Trinity College Dublin.
Daniel is admitted to the Brussels bar and speaks French, English, Dutch and Spanish.
Education
Trinity College Dublin (LL.M. in European and International business law, 2022)
Université Libre de Bruxelles (Master's degree in public and international law, 2021)
Experience
contrast (2022-present)
Emiel holds a master's degree in law from the University of Ghent (UGent, 2023).
He is admitted to the Brussels bar and speaks Dutch, English and French.
Education
University of Ghent (Master in Law, 2023)
Experience
contrast (2023 - present)
Emma holds a master's degree in law from the University of Leuven (KU Leuven, 2022) and she obtained an LL.M. degree in European law at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in 2023.
Emma is admitted to the Brussels bar and speaks Dutch, English and French.
Education
Université Libre de Bruxelles (LL.M. in European Law, 2023)
University of Leuven (Master in Law, 2022)
Experience
contrast (2023 - present)
Job Titles:
- Paralegal
- Paralegal - Counsel
Evi Noël joined contrast as a paralegal in 2014 and was promoted to paralegal-counsel in 2024. She is a member of the Competition and EU law team and actively contributes to the contrast Distribution Law Center.
Evi is a driving force behind our team's knowledge management and provides substantial research and publication support. In 2016, she co-authored a publication on the EU Private Damages Directive. Her contributions extend beyond the firm, as she is frequently invited as a guest lecturer at UC Leuven-Limburg (UCLL).
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Brussels Bar
- Specialist in EU
Filip Tuytschaever is a specialist in EU, competition and distribution law. He advises companies and assists them before the EU Commission, the national competition authorities, the courts and international arbitration panels. He represented the EU Commission, the European Banking Authority and the Kingdom of Belgium before the Court of Justice of the EU.
Filip is a founding partner of contrast. He is also a professor of EU competition law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Brussels (VUB).
Filip holds a master's degree in Law from the University of Ghent, an LL.M. in International and European law from the University of Brussels (VUB) and in Business Management from VLEKHO. He was awarded a Ph.D. in Law from the European University Institute (Florence), and he was a national expert in the Secretariat-General of the EU Commission and an intern in its Legal Service.
His publications include the books 'Vertical Agreements in EU Competition Law' (3rd edition, Oxford, Oxford University Press 2018, 462 p., with F. Wijckmans), ‘Distribution Agreements - EU - Belgium - Netherland' (Brussels, Larcier 2018, 635 p., with F. Wijckmans a.o. - in Dutch), ‘Horizontal Agreements and Cartels in EU Competition Law' (Oxford, Oxford University Press 2015, 512 p., ed. with F. Wijckmans) and ‘Differentiation in European Union Law' (Oxford, Hart Publishing 1999, 298 p.).
Filip Tuytschaever is a member of the Brussels Bar. He speaks Dutch, English and French.
"Brilliant antitrust lawyer" Filip Tuytschaever specialises in EU, competition and distribution law. Sources enthuse: "He is always there when you need a question answered and his work product is great."
Frances joined contrast in October 2023. She specialises in commercial and competition law.
Previously she completed a five-month internship at the European Commission (DG Competition) and worked as an associate in another Brussels law firm.
Frances graduated with a master's degree in law from the University of Leuven, where she joined the exchange program with the University of Geneva in 2019.
After graduation, she worked as a research assistant at the KULeuven at the departement of Consumer, Competition and Market where she contributed as a co-author to the article ‘Antitrust Enforcement in Belgium' in The Cambridge Handbook of Competition Law Sanctions published in 2022.
Frances is a member of the Brussels bar and is fluent in Dutch, English and French.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager
- Office Team
Herlinde Burez is a specialist in (EU and Belgian) competition and distribution law.
Herlinde heads contrast's merger control team. She has extensive experience in EU and Belgian merger control and the coordination of rest-of-the world merger filings. She also assists companies with all competition law related aspects in the context of their transactions, such as gun jumping questions, the organization of due diligence with respect for the rules on exchange of commercially sensitive information, assessment of competition covenants in transaction agreements, and so on.
Herlinde also supports clients in shaping commercial relationships to fit their business needs and in managing those relationships, including in relation to the termination of commercial cooperation agreements and related conflict management.
In these areas, Herlinde has in particular acquired expertise in the automotive industry. She co-authored the chapter 'Motor Vehicle Distribution' in 'Vertical Agreements in EU Competition Law' (3rd edition, Oxford, Oxford University Press 2018, 462 p., F. Wijckmans | F. Tuytschaever).
Herlinde holds a master's degree in Law from the University of Ghent and obtained a DEA in European law at the University of Aix-Marseille III.
Herlinde has been at contrast since the start in 2006 and became partner on 1 January 2017.
Herlinde Burez has published several articles on EU and Belgian competition law and distribution law in leading Belgian journals. Her publications include regular contributions to the section 'Case Law in Summary' in TBM-RCB (Journal for Belgian Competition Law, now Competitio) from 2006 until 2016.
Herlinde Burez is pragmatic and approachable. Her advice is always to the point; she is very pragmatic and commercial in her work. Herlinde advises on merger filings with the BCA in relation to corporate acquisitions or joint venture agreements. She also handles compliance advisory topics, including in relation to circumstances that could give rise to issues regarding information exchange. She has additional experience in disputes connected to vertical agreements.
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- Member of the Brussels Bar
Ine Schockaert specializes in corporate law and assists clients with (multi-jurisdictional) corporate restructurings and (cross-border) M&A transactions. She is also active in general business law matters.
Ine joined contrast in 2012 and she is counsel since 2020.
Ine holds a master's degree in law from the University of Leuven and a master's degree in business law from the University of Brussels (ULB).
Ine has contributed to the book ‘Share Purchase Agreements - Belgian Law and Practice' (Antwerp/Cambridge, Intersentia, 2016) and the ‘M&A Kroniek / Chronique de jurisprudence en M&A (2000-2017)', a review of 18 years of M&A related jurisprudence published by TRV/RPS in 2019. She has authored various other publications in the field of corporate law and M&A and also regularly speaks at seminars and trainings.
Ine Schockaert is a member of the Brussels Bar. She speaks Dutch, English and French.
Jules Guns joined contrast as a paralegal in August 2023. He is a member of the Competition and EU law team of contrast.
Jules holds a bachelor's degree in Legal Practice from UC-Leuven Limburg (UCLL). He speaks Dutch, English and French.
Karlien De Ryck joined contrast in January 2023. She is an associate specializing in corporate law and M&A transactions.
Before joining contrast, she worked at the Corporate and M&A department of Nelissen Grade in Leuven.
Karlien holds a master degree in law from the University of Leuven. During her studies, she spent a semester abroad at the University of Copenhagen. She is currently pursuing an LLM in competition law and economics at the Brussels School of Competition.
Karlien is a member of the Brussels bar.
She speaks Dutch, English and French.
Job Titles:
- Office Team
- Team Assistant
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- Member of the Brussels
Kristof De Wael specializes in corporate law and M&A. In addition, he advises clients on a wide range of business law matters and represents clients in front of courts in litigation matters.
Kristof joined contrast in 2020 and is a counsel since 2022. In the past, Kristof has gained extensive experience in Belgium and abroad in cross-border corporate restructuring and M&A projects, both as a lawyer in reputed law firms in Brussels and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and as in-house counsel with a US multinational company based out of Geneva, Switzerland.
Kristof obtained a master's degree in Law from the University of Ghent and an LL.M. in corporate law from the Universities of Leuven and Brussels.
Kristof is a co-author of the 5th Edition of the M&A Survey, published by contrast in May 2021 and has authored various other publications in leading law reviews. In addition, he is a regular speaker at seminars and trainings.
Kristof De Wael is a member of the Brussels bar and speaks Dutch, English and French.
Laura Sente joined contrast in September 2017. She is a senior associate in the (EU and Belgian) competition law team, specialising in EU and Belgian merger control. Laura has also gained considerable expertise in privacy and data protection.
Laura has contributed to the monograph 'Gegevensbescherming' (Bos door de Bomen, Lea, 2022). In addition, she has co-authored several publications on privacy and data protection and state aid.
Before joining contrast, she was an intern at the EU Competition & Regulatory Practice of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP. During her studies, Laura also took part in an exchange program at the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (Washington D.C.).
Laura holds a master degree in law from the University of Leuven (KU Leuven) and obtained an LL.M. in EU Competition and Intellectual Property Law at the University of Liège (ULg). She speaks Dutch, English and French and has a basic understanding of German.
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- Member of the Brussels
Laurence Vanhyfte joined contrast in 2015 and she is a counsel since 2024. She has extensive experience in a broad range of commercial law matters, including in relation to distribution, market practices and consumer protection, and privacy and data protection. Her experience includes several in-house assignments at clients of contrast.
Laurence frequently speaks on commercial law topics at seminars and trainings.
Laurence graduated with a master's degree in Law from the University of Ghent and obtained an LL.M. in International Competition Law & Policy from the University of Glasgow.
Laurence Vanhyfte is a member of the Brussels bar. She speaks Dutch, English and French.
Lise Ryckaert joined contrast in November 2016 and she is an associate since 2019. Between 2016 and 2019, Lise was a paralegal specializing in EU and competition law. She also supported the compliance team of contrast. Today, she is a competition law specialist, with a focus on distribution law. Lise is also a member of the contrast Distribution Law Center.
Before joining contrast, Lise was an HR officer at Ypto and a freelance journalist. She combined her law studies (bachelor) with an administrative support position at the law firm Curia.
Lise holds a master degree in law from the University of Leuven (KUL), a master in political Sciences from the KUL and a master degree in Journalism from the University College Brussels. She speaks Dutch, English and French.
Maarten holds a master's degree in law from the University of Leuven (KU Leuven, 2022) and a master's degree in corporate law from the University of Leuven (KU Leuven, 2023).
During his law studies, he spent a semester at the University of Geneva.
Maarten is admitted to the Brussels bar and speaks Dutch, English and French.
Education
University of Leuven (Master in Corporate Law, 2023)
University of Leuven (Master in Law, 2022)
University of Geneva (Switzerland) (Exchange programme, 2021)
Experience
contrast (2023 - present)
Marthe Wouters joined contrast as a paralegal in September 2021. She is member of the corporate team of contrast.
Marthe assists the corporate and M&A team with a number of publication projects. In addition, she also co-authored several articles regarding the use of language in corporate documents.
Marthe holds a bachelor degree in Legal Practice from UC-Leuven Limburg (UCLL). She speaks Dutch, English and French.
Mathieu Vancaillie joined contrast in 2023 as a senior associate. He previously worked at the European and Belgian competition law practices of international firms and has a broad experience in European, Belgian and Dutch competition law matters with a particular experience in merger control. This has included representing clients before the European Commission, the Belgian Competition Authority and the Brussels Market Court. In addition, Mathieu has given compliance presentations and conducted compliance audits for various trade associations. He also advised clients on export control and sanctions.
Mathieu holds a master's degree in law from Ghent University and an LL.M. in in European law at the Free University of Brussels (ULB).
He published several articles on various competition law topics and speaks at conferences.
Mathieu was admitted to the Brussels bar in 2014. He speaks Dutch, English and French.
Michèle holds a master's degree in law from the University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 2018).
She also achieved her LL.M at the Univeristy of Pennsylvania Carey Law in 2019.
Michèle speaks Dutch, French and English fluently.
Education
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law (LL.M., 2019)
University of Brussels 'VUB' (Master in Law, 2018)
University of Copenhagen (Exchange programme, 2018)
UCLL (Professional bachelor, 2015)
Experience
contrast (2024 - present)
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Brussels
Milena Varga heads our commercial law practice. She has solid experience in advising on a broad range of complex contractual matters. Milena supports domestic and international clients in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts of all sorts. She advises on all aspects of commercial law, including unfair trading practices, supply agreements, distribution networks, and related competition law questions.
Milena has particular expertise in the retail sector, supporting retail chain operators in shaping and managing their network.
In her field of expertise, Milena is also active in litigation and has represented clients before the Belgian and European courts.
Milena joined contrast in 2010, she became counsel in 2020 and was promoted to partner in 2022. Between 2016 and 2018 Milena was an inhouse legal counsel at ABB and Ricoh.
Milena holds a master's degree in law from the University of Leuven (KU Leuven) and an LL.M. in European Business Law from the Université Aix-Marseille III.
Milena regularly speaks and publishes on commercial and distribution law topics.
Milena Varga is a member of the Brussels bar. She speaks Dutch, English and French.
"Milena Varga takes the lead on commercial matters. She has in depth knowledge of franchise and partnership work."
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- Member of the Brussels
Stefanie Colaers joined contrast in 2014 and is a counsel since 2024. Stefanie has a broad experience in European and Belgian competition law matters, including investigations conducted by the Belgian Competition Authority and the European Commission.
Stefanie advises companies and trade federations on various aspects of competition law. In particular, she focuses on horizontal cooperation agreements, cartels and distribution agreements.
Stefanie's experience includes several in-house assignments at clients of contrast. She is also a driving force of contrast's competition law compliance program and trainings, and the Distribution Law Center.
Stefanie graduated with a master's degree in Law from the University of Ghent (magna cum laude) and obtained an LL.M. in European & Competition Law at the London School of Economics.
Stefanie Colaers is a member of the Brussels bar. She speaks Dutch, English and French.
Sébastien Engelen is a specialist in EU and Belgian competition law. He handles antitrust, merger control and State aid cases, as well as general EU law matters (EU freedoms, Structural Funds...). He also practices general commercial law, including distribution law.
As head of contrast's State aid practice, Sébastien advises clients on the qualification of a measure from a state aid law perspective and the manners to ensure the compatibility of an aid measure with EU rules.
Sébastien is used to assisting both private and public clients in non-contentious and contentious matters. He conducts litigation before National Competition Authorities as well as national and European courts. He strongly believes that it is better to be safe than sorry, therefore he regularly gives competition law compliance trainings.
Sébastien Engelen was admitted to the Brussels bar in 2006. He speaks French, English, Dutch and Italian.
I worked only with Sébastien Engelen in a very sensitive competition matter which required a high level of experience, connections and analysis and I was really impressed by his skills and availability in an urgent and difficult case. His intervention helped our client to avoid an important fine from the Belgian Competition Authority.