THE FIRM: A top legal practice in Belgium, Laga is a full-service business law firm, highly recommended by the most authoritative legal guides. Laga comprises approximately 100 qualified lawyers, based in Diegem/Brussels, Antwerp and Kortrijk. Laga offers expert advice in the fields of banking and finance, commercial, corporate/M&A, employment, IT/IP, public/administrative, restructuring, real estate and tax law. Where appropriate, to ensure a seamless and comprehensive high quality service, Laga lawyers work closely with financial, assurance and advisory, tax and consulting specialists and with select EU and US law firms. Laga provides thorough and practical solutions tailored to the needs of clients ranging from multinational companies, national large and medium-sized enterprises and high net worth individuals to government bodies.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE: In addition to its prominent position in the Belgian market, Laga also maintains strong and amicable working relationships with a number of highly distinguished independent law firms throughout Europe and the United States.
MAIN INTERNATIONAL AREAS OF PRACTICE:
Banking & Finance: The Banking and Finance Practice is well reputed for its domestic and cross-border finance expertise with particular skill in banking, structured finance (securitisation), securities, project finance and financial services. The team assists both Belgian and foreign credit and finance institutions in connection with the financing of a variety of asset types. Clients include Barclays Bank PLC, Dexia Bank, AXA Bank, ZGB/Breevast, Lehmann Brothers, ING Bank and Deutsche Bank.
Corporate Law/Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity/Capital Markets: Laga has a thriving Corporate Law, M&A and Private Equity Practice that advises international and domestic clients in share and assets acquisitions, (leveraged) buyouts, divestitures, IPO’s, equity and debt capital markets, funds formations, mergers and company reorganisations. The team also has an outstanding reputation for its expert advice on complex corporate law and corporate governance issues. Clients include Pinguin- Lutosa, Delta Lloyd and DeCeuninck.
Employment, Social Security & Immigration Law: The Employment, Social Security and Immigration Law Department consists of a specialised team advising on all aspects of individual and collective employment law and social security (with increasing focus on pension funds).The practice also offers immigration services tailor-made for expatriates of EU and non-EU companies.
Real Estate: The Real Estate Team has extensive experience in all aspects of property development, acquisition, restructuring, and portfolio management together with property financing and refinancing (CMBS). Clients include Rockspring, FIF (Fonds d’Infrastructure Férroviaire), ING Real Estate NV, Breevast NV, Aedifica and Dexia Real Estate.
Insolvency & Reorganisations: The Insolvency and Reorganisation Practice gives advice on inter-creditor reorganisations, bankruptcy, and bankruptcy protection. Prevention initiatives are an increasingly important area of focus. Tax Law: A dedicated team of tax specialists is actively involved in both fiscal advisory and tax litigation work for Belgian and multinational corporate entities as well as private individuals. The team has a wealth of experience in a number of fields, amongst which real estate, and works closely with the firm’s Private Client Advisory Team.
Commercial Law: The Commercial Law Practice works in myriad sectors and industries, providing a wide range of advisory services, including commercial distribution, data protection, trade practices, media and e-commerce. Also, a highly recommended Intellectual Property and Information Technology Practice assists companies in establishing, monitoring and enforcing their IP and IT platforms.
Dispute Resolution: For many years Laga has handled high profile lawsuits, in particular in the fields of corporate, reorganisation/insolvency, tax and employment law litigation. A number of its partners are also appointed as arbitrators, mediators or legal experts within national or international arbitration chambers such as Cepani and ICC.
Public Law: The Public Law Practice has extensive experience in advising and representing both public authorities and corporate entities in connection with all aspects of Belgian public and administrative law. In addition, the practice offers advice on environmental law, including soil pollution, waste, administrative and environmental permits and concessions from public authorities.
European & Competition Law: The European and Competition Law Specialists advise companies on a range of European regulatory matters and provide expert support towards other departments, including Belgian and EU merger control, cartels and restrictive practices and all aspects of internal market law with a focus on technology and electronics, semiconductors and the transport industry.
LANGUAGES: Dutch, English, French, German, Russian, Japanese, Italian and Spanish.
CLIENTS: Laga assists multinational groups, financial institutions and government bodies, as well as national and medium-sized businesses, start-ups, non-profit organisations and high net worth individuals.