Lydian is ‘simply the firm of reference for Belgian insurance law’, boasting ‘very specialised knowledge’. The practice works for a wide range of leading insurers and corporates, advising on reinsurance, corporate insurance, and life and non life insurance, often on high-profile or complex cases. Leading the team is Hugo Keulers, commended for being a ‘vessel of knowledge’, with commercial and dispute resolution expertise complementing his insurance practice. Also at leadership level is Sandra Lodewijckx, a ‘dynamic lawyer with an excellent knowledge of the insurance sector’. Together, the pair ‘represent the insurance encyclopedia’. Noted members of the team include the ‘highly knowledgeable and approachable’ Jo Willems, and ‘great lawyer’ Héloïse Fostier.

A&O Shearman‘s insurance practice has vast expertise across the industry, advising an array of employers, insurers, funds, and regulators on a wide range of insurance regulatory work. Solvency requirements and governance are strengths of the team. Insurance-related M&A is another mainstay of the practice. The practice is led by Tom Schoors and Sylvia Kierszenbaum, both of whom have extensive experience in financial services regulation and advising insurers and asset managers. Christian Bayart heads the employment department of the firm, and is a key part of the insurance practice, advising regularly on employee benefits and occupational pensions. Bart De Bock specialises in insurance litigation.

The practice at ALTIUS is ‘highly skilled and very easy to communicate with’, with expertise in advising insurance companies, reinsurers, and insurance intermediaries on a wide range of matters. Insurance coverage disputes are a strength of the team, along with providing advice on insurance policies. Alexander Hansebout leads the team, and is a ‘very skilled and reputable lawyer’ with extensive experience in liability and insurance work, as well as the enforcement of foreign judgments. Stijn Van Schel is key to the practice, working with insurance companies on complex liability and coverage disputes. Audrey Zegers is noted for assisting financial institutions and investment funds in domestic and cross-border transactions.

The team at CMS covers all areas of the insurance industry, with expertise in life and non-life insurance, focusing on W&I, cyber, construction, environmental liability, and professional liability. The practice regularly advises leading insurance companies on complex cross-border matters. Team co-head Benoît Vandervelde advises financial institutions on issues related to the compliance of insurance products, and has a focus on life insurance law. Tom De Cordier also leads the team, specialising in data privacy and technology law. Jean-François Goffin is key to the team, along with Pierre-Axel Chabot.

DLA Piper’s insurance team acts for a number of leading players in the insurance market, related to coverage advice, dispute resolution, and transactional work. Clients including traditional insurers, re-insurance companies, and intermediaries rely on the expertise of the practice, which often represents them in high-profile litigation. Pierre Berger leads the practice which has continued to grow with the arrivals of Virginie Frémat and Julie De Pauw from CMS, Joris Latui from KPMG Law in Belgium, and Delphine Goens from an in-house role, all in September 2024. Another key contact is Alexander Hamels, who ‘combines in-depth knowledge of insurance law and regulation with an excellent understanding of the market’.

Philippe & Partners specialises in insurance and liabilities litigation, advising clients on insurance products, distribution services and regulatory and governance work. The Brussels office of the firm works closely with the Luxembourg practice, widening its cross-border offering. Marc Gouden and Pierre Moreau lead the team, with expertise in Belgian and cross-border work. Gouden is adept at handling distribution and life insurance work, while Moreau focuses on life and non-life policies and group insurance.

The ‘very responsive’ practice at Simont Braun advises insurance clients across a wide range of matters, focusing on regulatory, tax, and M&A related issues. The team is particularly adept at handling litigation related to life insurance. Practice head Philippe De Prez is ‘readily available and responsive’, with extensive knowledge of FinTech and financial services. Also at leadership level is Thomas Derval, with experience assisting clients in complex insurance litigation claims. Rafaël Jafferali is key to the team, specialising in cross-border insurance disputes.

For one client, ‘the combination of very good collaboration, expertise, pragmatism and quick responses’ sets the practice at Stibbe apart from its competitors, with extensive knowledge of insurance litigation and arbitration. High-value M&A transactions in the insurance sector are another strength of the team, along with providing advice on the regulatory aspects of the sector. Team head Oliver Stevens is ‘smart, thoughtful and pragmatic’, with years of experience representing financial institutions and insurance companies in complex litigation. Sophie Bourgois focuses on insurance litigation, and is ‘very knowledgeable and a very efficient advocate’.

The insurance practice at Baker McKenzie BV/SRL is noted for its ‘out of the box thinking, and client-oriented and resourceful approach’, with vast experience across insurance regulatory matters, insurance litigation, and re-organisations in the insurance sector. The firm regularly represents insurance clients in civil and administrative courts. Olivier Van Den Broeke co-leads the practice, with over 10 years' experience advising financial institutions and fintechs on high-profile insurance regulatory matters. Michael Van Acker also acts as head of the practice, with vast experience across both insurance and finance.

Racine‘s practice leverages vast expertise across insurance and civil liability work, representing Belgian and foreign insurers. Professional and medical liability insurance, as well as coverage disputes, are within the remit of the practice. Leading the team are Kathlien Vergels and Lieven Van Besien, while Grégory Mouthuy specialises in insurance and liability law. Also of note are Karen Ronsijn and Bruno Verkest.