A ‘great team with broad capabilities’, A&O Shearman’s private equity offering is experienced in both domestic and cross-border deals. This ‘expertise in different domains’ lends itself to the team’s M&A work, and its experience in deals with novel structuring aspects. Wouter Van de Voorde heads the practice from Antwerp, with global corporate co-head Dirk Meeus working out of Brussels. Meeus combines M&A, private equity, and equity capital markets expertise. Frederiek Adams ‘really understands priorities for an investor’, representing both local and international private equity houses on buy- and sell-side transactions. Esther Remy is noted for her work involving complex carve-out and disentanglement considerations.

The private equity team at Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL is praised for its ‘deep knowledge of local private equity practices’, with standout fund formation expertise alongside buy-back experience as part of its full-scale private equity and venture capital offering. Roel Meers heads the team, a corporate finance expert with notable experience of the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Luc Meeus is noted for his ‘deep experience in fund structuring and PE-related M&A transactions’, often advising clients on the tax aspects of transactional work, while Koen Vanhaerents heads the global capital markets offering. Dominique Maes is ‘hands-on, direct, and very efficient’ in his work on domestic and international M&A transactions, and both Kristoff Cox and Kim Stas continue to be recommended.

ARGO Law‘s corporate finance and fund structuring departments in Antwerp are ‘focused on solutions’ in private equity work, providing transactional support for funds including assistance on platform investments, add-ons and exits, and tax structuring. Kris Verdoodt co-heads the corporate finance team, with an emphasis on private M&A transactions, while co-head Bert Van Ingelghem is particularly sought-after by family owned companies. Philippe Rens is praised as the Belgian market’s ‘best tax and fund structuring lawyer’, heading the fund structuring practice alongside Freya Jorens. Louis Hoet is also recommended, with sector expertise from sport to tech.

The private equity offering at Clifford Chance brings together team members from its corporate, tax and finance practices to advise local and international market players both sell- and buy-side in their complex, multi-faceted matters. The team has a notable focus on venture capital work in the tech sector, an area of expertise of Patrice Viaene. Team head Niek De Pauw often advises on high-profile transactions, including M&A, buy-side acquisitions, sell-side disposals, and public to private transactions. The energy sector continues to be an area of strength for the team, with Xavier Remy a key name here.

DLA Piper’s private equity practice provides ‘precise support’ on matters from fund formation to venture capital investments, also providing advice on tax planning and management. Michaël Heene co-heads the team in Antwerp with Pierre Berger; Heene often advises private equity houses and their portfolio companies while Berger is a go-to for regulatory issues and regulatory-driven strategic projects. In Brussels, finance and projects head Caroline Hoste leads the team alongside tax specialist Chris Thompson.

The team at Linklaters runs the gamut of private equity matters, advising on fund set up and structuring, acquisitions, financing, and portfolio management. It brings together team members from the corporate and finance group both within Belgium and internationally to combine tax, restructuring, and regulatory expertise. Department head Arnaud Coibion is noted for his M&A and equity capital markets experience, while ‘extremely efficient’ An-Sofie Van Hootegem is sought-after by funds, investment holdings and family offices for support throughout the entire buy-out lifecycle. For tax related matters, Caroline Borgers is the go-to.

The ‘very efficient’ private equity team at Loyens & Loeff handles fund formation, regulatory advice, and M&A transactions for players in the market, working closely with the firm’s investment management team on complex, often cross-border matters. Thomas Lenné heads the team, combining sector expertise in energy, infrastructure, life sciences and technology with experience advising funds and financial investors on their investments, add-ons, and exit transactions. Robrecht Coppens takes the lead on venture capital work, and is sought after for high level pre-insolvency restructuring matters.

Stibbe‘s ‘high quality, relationship driven’ private equity offering serves high profile Belgian and international funds, venture capitalists, and public entities. The team works closely with its finance, tax, competition and IP practice groups across the Benelux region, and is noted for its specialist experience in M&A transactions. At its helm is Stefan Odeurs, a go-to adviser for funds on their investments in leveraged transactions, expansion capital, and divestments. Dries Hommez is also recommended, combining expertise in corporate and financial law with a focus on private equity and M&A.

White & Case LLP fields a 'very dedicated' private equity team, leveraging its corporate and M&A capabilities to advise on those transactions with a significant private equity element. Its EMEA-wide private equity strength includes resources in London, Frankfurt, Milan and Stockholm, often handling cross-border mandates. Practice co-head Thierry Bosly is valued for his 'strategic thinking skills', combining transactional experience and global market knowledge. Carlo Meert focuses on cross-border M&A transactions, and has notable experience of the engineering sector. Thomas Glauden is recommended for cross-border Luxembourg matters.

ALTIUS‘ private equity offering is noted for its ‘market knowledge’, supporting both Belgian and international private equity firms, venture capital funds, real estate funds, hedge funds, and equity fund advisors. It has notable experience advising on venture capital investments in early-stage companies, including in the life sciences and tech sectors. Practice co-head Tom Vantroyen specialises in M&A transactions, while co-head Marie Brasseur has notable experience in the energy sector.

‘A premier legal firm in the venture capital space’, Antwerp-based Cresco Advocaten supports venture capital investors, start-ups and scale-ups in investments and divestments, alongside its work for private equity funds in buy-out M&A transactions, formation, and fundraising. Founder and practice head David Dessers is praised for his ‘vast experience and strategic mindset‘; Glenn L’hoëst was made partner in December 2023, combining ‘deep expertise in corporate law with strong structuring skills’.

Eubelius‘ private equity offering takes a ‘hands-on, business-oriented approach‘ as part of an integrated corporate and M&A team, with notable experience handling complex disentanglement and carve-out issues, fund formation, structuring, and fundraising. Co-head Matthias Wauters is sought after for his expertise regarding the Belgian venture capital market, Erwin Destuyver often handles cross-border transactions and Filip Jenné has stand out experience of corporate real estate transactions. The ‘highly skilled and highly experienced’ Felix Dobbelaere supports private equity clients in the Belgian M&A market.

Jones Day‘s ‘client centric’ private equity team leverages its international network to advise clients in both domestic and cross border deals, also offering an active venture capital practice and increasing leveraged finance expertise. Thomas De Muynck, ‘an outstanding professional' who is dual qualified in New York, heads the team and is experienced in advising US and EU funds in Belgian transactions. Jonas Van Den Bossche is a go-to for high profile PE buyouts. The practice was further strengthened by the addition of Pierre-Olivier Mahieu from A&O Shearman in January 2025.

The private equity offering from the ‘capable, pragmatic and service oriented’ Lydian sits within its corporate and finance team, and is experienced in handling a range of matters, from mid-market to large-scale international transactions. Team co-head Peter De Ryck is ‘knowledgeable in his field, proactive‘ and noted for his specialised real estate expertise, while co-head Maxime Colle combines private equity, life sciences, and technology sector expertise. Co-head Florence Colpaert made partner in January 2024 and is a go-to for energy and telecoms clients.

NautaDutilh‘s private equity team members ‘not only address current issues but also anticipate future legal needs’ for clients from family offices to global private equity funds. The department is headed by Philippe Remels, a go-to for clients in regulated sectors such as healthcare, life sciences, and energy, along with Axel Maeterlinck, who joined the team in July 2024 from Simont Braun. Olivier Van Wouwe is particularly recommended for his ‘nuanced and helpful advice’.

The private equity team from corporate boutique Quinz is co-led by 'great sparring partner' Bart Lintermans and Klaas Thibaut. Lintermans is particularly recommended for his expertise in real estate matters, while Thibaut advises on capital raising and regulatory compliance, often working with funds focusing on life sciences investments. Willem Witters joined the team in September 2024 from Stibbe, heading the equity capital markets practice.

Strelia‘s private equity practice advises both Belgian and international PE funds, VC funds, and individual investors as well as target companies and existing shareholders, with a focus on the technology, life sciences and pharmaceuticals sectors. Gisèle Rosselle heads the team, a tech-sector specialist with international experience, and Katrien Vorlat has significant experience supporting multinational PE funds. Laurent Verhavert is ‘clear and pragmatic' and is qualified across both Belgium and Luxembourg.

Ace Law‘s ‘expert knowledge of the Belgian PE landscape‘ as a corporate boutique is a key element of its practice, which is focused on assisting clients in fund structuring and investments and divestments. Clients ‘highly recommend‘ practice head and co-founder Didier Roemers for his commercial approach to both national and international transactions, while Wouter Verhelst is highlighted for his ability to ‘untangle complex situations’. Antoon Dierick joined the team in Ghent in July 2024 from MDP Advocaten.

Valued for its ‘expertise, pragmatic and customer centric approach,’ and ‘qualitative work’, the private equity offering from Cambrian in Antwerp combines experience supporting funds and companies in their equity capital markets transactions with an increasing focus on fund formation. Pieter Capiau, Wim Van Berendoncks and Yannick Verrycke co-head the team, offering particular expertise regarding the technology sector.

Deloitte Legal‘s ‘customer focused’ private equity practice works within its corporate and M&A team, and leverages the wider team’s life sciences, healthcare, and technology sector expertise to support investors and funds. David Roelens heads the wider practice from Brussels, where Christoph Michiels takes the lead on the team’s scale-up and investor initiatives and Marc Van tieghem is the go-to in Antwerp.

Liedekerke‘s practice, as part of its corporate and M&A and banking and finance teams, ‘is very knowledgeable and pragmatic in its approach’ to assisting private equity and venture capital firms. Noted for its sector strength in the energy, tech and life sciences industries, the team often assists start-ups and scale-ups. Damien Conem heads the team, and is experienced in regulated industries and multi-jurisdictional operations.

Monard law, joined by Buyle fields a ‘client oriented, practical and knowledgeable’ team advising private equity and venture capital funds on all stages of the investment cycle. Often advising family-owned companies, Nicole Segers heads the private equity practice. Benoit Samyn is a go-to for matters regarding the real estate sector, while Pieter Van den Broeck has experience of cross-border work in the Netherlands and China particularly.

Simont Braun‘s private equity and fund structuring team works closely with its corporate dispute resolution practice and newly formed ESG team, which has a particular focus on ESG for private equity. Team co-heads Steven Callens and Tom Swinnen offer corporate and M&A specialist expertise, while co-head Thomas Gernay is a go-to for tax matters.

Van Olmen & Wynant is recommended for its ‘pragmatic insight’ in private equity and venture capital matters, providing advice on private company investments, fund structuring, and formation. Founding partner and corporate practice head Luc Wynant has standout experience in the venture capital space, while Koen Hoornaert ‘excels in proactive advisory’ work for family businesses, their shareholders, and directors.