A&O Shearman has established itself as a popular destination for clients from across the media and entertainment spectrum, including film and television production companies, newspaper publishers and international media clients. Helmed by Filip Van Elsen, the firm’s broader TMT expertise means it is additionally well placed to advise on wider convergence issues in the media sector. IP and IT specialist Geert Glas‘ mixed advisory and contentious practice is frequently relied upon by broadcasters, publishers and content providers. Wouter Van De Voorde is equipped to handle transactional work in the media and entertainment space, while Peter Van Dyck frequently advises media clients on advertising, IP and liability questions. Edward Taelman departed in March 2024.

ALTIUS is known for its ability to guide clients such as broadcasters publishing houses and music publishers through a variety of work including IP issues, publicity rights and regulatory compliance matters. The firm is also praised for having the ‘most experienced and available team of lawyers in the Belgian sports sector’. Sports law experts Sven Demeulemeester and Grégory Ernes jointly lead the practice alongside Olivier Vrins, who excels in issues connected to copyright, brand protection and publicity rights. Alexander De Bleeckere is a known name for libel, slander and defamation cases, while Willem-Alexander Devlies further expands the sports law expertise at the firm.

A regular fixture before the Raad Van State, the Market Court and agencies such as the Gaming Commission, Crowell & Moring also pulls together a strong advisory offering with intellectual property law, regulatory issues and the termination of artist management deals among the firm’s areas of expertise. Practice co-head Thomas De Meese‘s extensive media law experience is called upon by publishers, film distributors and broadcasters, while fellow co-head Jan-Diederik Lindemans‘ practice extends to advising media and entertainment clients on the defence of their various IP and personality rights. Sari Depreeuw‘s specialist knowledge in the realm of new technologies is frequently brought to bear for clients such as record labels and music festivals. The team was further strengthened by Edward Taelman, who arrived from A&O Shearman in March 2024.

Bird & Bird pulls together a strong offering in media and entertainment with standout expertise in matters relating to broadcasting, advertising and content licensing and distribution. Benoit Van Asbroeck and competition and trade expert Hein Hobbelen oversee the team; Van Asbroeck is well versed in matters concerning digital technologies and the European Electronic Communications Code. José Rivas is notably active in mandates concerning sports sector clients.

CMS is well placed to handle both large international and domestic projects for a client base that includes major technology and e-commerce companies alongside cable channels and international football organisations. IP and domain name disputes specialist Tom Heremans jointly leads the team with electronic communication regulations expert Dirk Van Liedekerke. The team benefits from access to the firm’s network of local media law experts across a wide range of EU member states.

From television and film, to printed media, to influencer marketing and gambling, DLA Piper’s far-reaching practice incorporates expertise in regulatory issues, corporate work, tax law and finance matters. The team is additionally praised for fielding ‘true professionals and experts in the field of media and entertainment IP litigation’. Alexis Fierens heads up the team and has specific expertise pertaining to media and entertainment-related IP rights. In Antwerp, Michaël Heene has a notable focus on contentious and advisory work in the audiovisual sector. Based in Brussels, data protection specialist Heidi Waem is a key contact for journalists and media companies.

Edson‘s offering incorporates expertise in the videogames sector, print media space and broadcasting industry. The team is also described as fielding ‘experts in the iGaming industry’ and is handling a growing number of cases relating to streaming platforms. Pieter Paepe co-chairs the practice and is a known name in Belgium for his wide-ranging knowledge of gaming law. Christoph De Preter is able to bring his in-depth knowledge of IP matters to bear for a multitude of media and entertainment clients.

Film and TV production companies, broadcasters and record labels are among the diverse client base that turn to MVVP for assistance with an array of IP, corporate and M&A work in the media and entertainment space. A triumvirate of partners head up the practice: Peter Marx has a focus on copyright and trade mark work; Olivier Sasserath‘s industry expertise is reflected in his work for the Belgian collecting management organisation, SABAM; and Herman Croux is well versed in copyright contract law.

Stibbe advises players in the industry spanning sports associations, media platforms, record labels and broadcasters on an array of contentious and advisory matters. The firm has also developed a strategic focus on the fast-growing gamification sector. TMT specialist Erik Valgaeren heads up the practice; his varied portfolio of work incorporates advice on pre-employment background checks and compliance with the Electronic Communications Act. Sports law expert Elisabeth Matthys frequently handles litigation involving discrimination issues and anti-doping rules. Publishers rely on Ignace Vernimme for informed counsel on diverse trade mark and copyright issues.

AdaStone Law‘s clients include professional associations, broadcasters, distributors and producers. Practice strengths range from media-related contracts to film financing issues and collective rights negotiations. Agnès Maqua and Hannah Tacheny jointly oversee matters with the latter equipped to advise on media rights, notably for sports sector clients. Katrien Maris is another key contact.

Described as a team that ‘works quickly and accurately’, CRESTA is recognised for its competence in advising high-profile international football players. The firm is also well placed to handle cases before international basketball and international volleyball’s dispute resolution bodies. Sébastien Ledure heads up the practice; he is praised for being a ‘good negotiator’ and for being ‘thorough in his approach to the deal process’. Arnaut Kint‘s ‘strong industry knowledge’ is highlighted, while Wouter Janssens, Xavier Mansat and Quinten Van den Bergen are further key contacts.

The core features of the media and entertainment offering at Deloitte Legal are the group's IP and IT expertise, which is leveraged by clients within the sports and audiovisual industries, and corporate and M&A work, including venture capital issues and cross-border restructurings. Willem-Jan Cosemans, Yannick Van den broeke and Matthias Vierstraete stand at the helm of the practice, with Cosemans equipped to advise on issues extending to intellectual property rights in digital assets such as the image rights of players in NFTs. Former practice head Tim Baart retired in January 2023.

Everest‘s team of ‘dedicated lawyers’ has an exclusive focus on sports and is active across an array of advisory and contentious work ranging from advice on football transfers to match-fixing litigation and disciplinary investigations. Former competitive cyclist Mathieu Baert heads up the team and centres his practice on sports-related dispute resolution; he is praised for working ‘fast and with focus‘.

HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER‘s in-depth expertise of intellectual property issues in the media and IT landscape is called upon by media actors ranging form publishers to broadcasters and collective management organisations. The team, led by copyright and media law expert Fabienne Brison, frequently handles contentious proceedings in the space and is also active across advisory and contractual work.

Liedekerke‘s media and entertainment practice has a strong focus on IP, IT and data protection cases, with the firm handling a variety of advisory, contentious and transactional work at both a national and international level. The firm’s contentious work includes counterfeiting seizures, infringement actions and the implementation of border measures involving customs authorities. Etienne Kairis heads up the practice and frequently wins plaudits for his ability to develop and implement strategies for the protection of intellectual property. Sarah Van Den Brande frequently leverages her expertise in copyright, trade marks and designs to handle contentious work for the likes of the AGICOA group. Bernard Vanbrabant further extends the contentious IP expertise at the firm.