Led by Thomas Declerck, the dedicated team at A&O Shearman is among the most active in business criminal law and investigations advice in Belgium. The team is routinely sought out by a wide variety of global and domestic clients seeking guidance across all aspects of fraud and white-collar criminal law, from conducting internal investigations to representation before the courts. The group acts for various entities from corporates to individuals in a broad selection of matters such as those involving financial crime, bribery, cybercrime, social and environmental crime, and international sanctioning, with experience in highly sensitive cross-border cases. Associate Basil Saen is noted for his adept navigation of various kinds of internal investigations and representation of clients before the courts.

Led by reputed criminal defence lawyer Tom Bauwens, the team at Eubelius advises clients on a broad array of business criminal law matters, many of which traverse borders, covering investigations into misconduct, high-profile fraud and corruption, and other types of financial and corporate crime. The group is well versed in supporting clients throughout various stages of a case, be it preparing for investigation by Belgian and European authorities or representing clients in court. Key team member Monica Rodriguez handles the gamut of white-collar criminal law issues and is notably experienced in advising on cybercrime, fraud, environmental crime and tax investigations. Camille Goldschmidt is another associate to watch.

Under the leadership of criminal law expert Hans Van Bavel, Stibbe maintains a strong reputation for its experienced handling of high-profile, cross-border and complex cases spanning all aspects of fraud and white-collar crime. David Verwaerde’s expertise in anti-money laundering and Charlotte Conings’ corporate criminal law knowledge strengthen the team, which collaborates with other departments of the firm to deliver a multidisciplinary service, covering representation in court and internal investigations for a wide variety of entities, including corporates and individuals.

Disputes boutique Arcas Law houses a team of experienced litigators who specialise in financial criminal law and are able to tackle a range of white-collar crime matters, including class actions, preparing clients for investigations, anti-money laundering advice, and litigating damage claims against corporations. Joint practice head Dirk Libotte has a varied range of lawsuits and cases on his track record, including those involving market abuse, tax fraud and corruption. Also leading the team is Joost Verlinden, who is sought out for cross-border litigation and is equipped to handle criminal and civil proceedings. Associate Niels Vos comes highly recommended for his business criminal law advice, especially for issues related to financial crime and anti-money laundering.

 

Best known for its work on the criminal aspects of high-profile bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings, the team at DLA Piper hosts a bench of lawyers of diverse legal backgrounds who are equipped to support clients facing various types of criminal and civil proceedings and investigations pertaining to fraud and white-collar crime. ‘Razor-sharp’ aviation and restructuring specialist Ilse Van de Mierop heads the practice, leading on matters involving financial fraud and bankruptcy, an area where Christian Van Buggenhout also has a strong track record. Cases centred around environmental fraud and public procurement fraud are a focus for litigator Bob Martens; Heidi Waem is highly active in cybercrime cases; and Lieven Annaert's practice encompasses white-collar crime and fraud defence before the Belgian courts.

Fraud prevention is the cornerstone of the practice at Everest, a Ghent-based firm that stands out for its work in internal investigations and compliance advisory, damages recovery and anti-money laundering services. The team places a strong emphasis on prevention and compliance all while offering high-profile clients comprehensive representation in litigation and criminal proceedings related to various areas of business criminal law. Fraud auditing and prevention specialist Stijn De Meulenaer leads the team, which also has a niche specialism handling white-collar crime cases in the sporting world, working in conjunction with the firm’s sports law department. Other key practitioners include the white-collar criminal proceedings-focused Danique Van Mechelen; Fien Schreurs, who is well versed in compliance and anti-money laundering; and Mathieu Baert, who is highly recommended by clients.

At Janson, the fraud and white-collar crime department is active across a broad variety of activities, from handling high-profile cases in court to conducting internal investigations for clients. The team is well versed in the full range of business criminal law matters, and assists individuals and corporations through all aspects of criminal and civil proceedings. Practice co-lead Céline Masschelein contributes vast experience in internal and criminal investigations and criminal and civil proceedings, and fellow team head François Koning is a seasoned corporate criminal lawyer who brings expertise in anti-money laundering and supporting clients during police investigations. Othilly De Wilde is another name to note.

The white-collar crime and compliance practice at Liedekerke assists clients across all stages of investigations and civil and criminal proceedings, with experience working on a diverse array of business criminal law matters. Areas of particular focus include environmental crime, public health and safety violations, money laundering and criminal tax issues, among other types of unlawful corporate activity. Seasoned criminal litigator Magda Vandebotermet leads the team, which includes Margot Vandebeek, an associate who has established a strong reputation for her handling of corporate criminal law cases.

The arrival of highly regarded business criminal law specialist Stijn Lamberigts in October 2023 strengthened Lydian’s offering in this field. Lamberigts co-heads the practice alongside insurance fraud expert Hugo Keulers, employment fraud specialist Jan Hofkens and Yves Lenders, who brings a wealth of experience in corporate criminal liability and insolvency matters. The varied expertise of the practice’s leaders allows the firm to tackle multi-jurisdictional matters across a wide range of issues. The team supports a diverse pool of companies in internal investigations as well as civil and criminal proceedings, with clients hailing from the financial services, tech, insurance, transport and media sectors.

 

The dispute resolution team at Quinz is regularly engaged in high-profile criminal proceedings in the fields of tax fraud, money laundering, cybercrime and abuse of corporate assets. The group is equipped to provide ongoing services for corporate clients such as de-risking operations, anti-money laundering, compliance policy development and internal investigations, as well as cross-border matters surrounding international sanctioning. Seasoned disputes specialist Benoît Allemeersch leads the multidisciplinary team alongside corporate litigator Stijn De Dier. Also in the team is the highly recommended associate Thomas Incalza, who is active across much of the team's most noteworthy work.

Deloitte Legal's Belgium-based fraud and white-collar crime team acts for both private and corporate clients in a wide variety of matters, both advisory and litigious. The team regularly assists businesses with risk analysis, compliance and prevention policies, and is also experienced in supporting clients in all phases of a criminal proceeding. The group includes Jürgen Egger, whose broad practice covers criminal defence in cases involving fraud, embezzlement and money laundering; tax expert Annick Visschers; criminal tax litigation specialist Johan Speecke; and Glenn Hansen, who dedicates his time to matters at the intersection of criminal and insolvency law. Liesbeth Saelen is another name to note.

With a notable focus on representing individuals in criminal defence proceedings, the white-collar crime team at Hirsch & Vanhaelst can often be found acting for clients in a range of cross-border business criminal matters. This includes cases involving international fraud, money laundering, corruption, bribery and criminal tax matters, where the team collaborates with the firm's dedicated tax lawyers. The group is jointly led by the 'very talented' white-collar specialist Michèle Hirsch and Morgan Bonneure, who brings particular expertise in insider trading and tax fraud cases.

Distinguished by its sector-led approach, the litigation, arbitration and investigations practice at Linklaters acts for domestic and international corporate entities in investigations and proceedings related to numerous matters in the field of white-collar crime. Stefaan Loosveld specialises in litigation and contentious restructuring and insolvency, leading the team alongside Xavier Taton, who handles various business criminal law and regulatory matters for clients in the financial and energy sectors, and experienced litigator Florence Danis.

With an emphasis on internal investigations and compliance, the team at Loyens & Loeff handles a mix of advisory and prevention work, investigations and representation in criminal proceedings. It acts for a diverse range of well-known corporate clients, leveraging the firm's interdisciplinary expertise to cover various matters related to fraud and business criminal law such as anti-money laundering. White-collar criminal law specialist and 'excellent advocate' Clémence Van Muylder leads the team alongside Olivier van der Haegen, who brings significant experience in domestic and cross-border litigation.

Under the leadership of Sabrina Scarnà, the team at Tetra Law has developed strong expertise in criminal tax matters. Known for primarily representing individuals, the group has experience handling sensitive and complex criminal tax cases involving money laundering, tax fraud and corruption, and is noted for its work in fund recovery. Also on the team is highly recommended associate Pauline Maufort, who focuses on tax and anti-money laundering work.

Led by experienced commercial litigator Philip Walravens, the fraud and white-collar crime practice at Verhaegen Walravens acts for clients before the Belgian courts, handling criminal proceedings related fraud, corruption and other forms of business criminal law. The group is well versed in dealing with cross-border matters.