The Legal 500 ranked Monard-D’Hulst in 9 practice areas for 2014. Moreover, two of its partners (Christiaan Barbier – Fraud and White-Collar Crime and Birgitta Van Itterbeek – Aviation) were recognized individually as a Leading Lawyer in their respective fields. Both are also recognized as Leading Lawyers by Who’s Who Legal.
The firm was ranked Tier 1 in Aviation and in Fraud and white-collar crime and Tier 3 in Corporate and M&A, Dispute Resolution, Environment, IP and Tax. The firm was furthermore ranked Tier 4 for Labour and Employment and Banking, Finance and Capital Markets.
According to the Legal 500, Monard-D’Hulst’s Aviation practice continues to achieve success under the leadership of the ‘excellent‘ Birgitta Van Itterbeek, who has ‘extensive industry knowledge‘. The firm handles the spectrum of aviation matters but has a core strength in financing.
In Fraud and white-collar crime, the Legal 500 stated that Monard – D’Hulst’s substantial team has had a busy year covering a plethora of matters including money laundering, tax fraud and directors’ liability cases. Christiaan Barbier, Frédéric Lettany and Ghent-based Tom Messiaen are key figures in the practice. The Antwerp office was strengthened by the arrival of Patrick Waeterinckx.
The Corporate and M&A practice is a core focus at Monard – D’Hulst, which provides ‘excellent‘ service. Natalie Ulburghs recently assisted Comfort Energie with several strategic acquisitions in the petroleum sector. Erik Monard and Nicole Segers are also recommended, and the ‘outstanding‘ Pieter Van den Broeck joined the firm in May 2013.
In IP, Monard – D’Hulst provides ‘straightforward‘ and ‘clear‘ advice to clients according to the Legal 500. Daan De Jaeger advises clients including Rolex, Christian Dior and Versace on Belgian and European IP law. IP litigator Ben Hermans represented Dukeminster against Björn Borg Brands in an alleged trade mark infringement and counterfeiting litigation before the Brussels Court of Commerce.
With respect to Banking & Finance Monard – D’Hulst’s Erik Monard has very good expertise in banking and financial products. Aircraft finance specialist Birgitta Van Itterbeek is another name to note and assisted KfW with the local law issues pertaining to the financing of a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
Monard – D’Hulst advises on all contentious and non-contentious aspects of employment and social security law. The firm has been instructed in a number of major restructuring matters, and is also noted for its experience in industrial action matters. Clients include Kinepolis, Adecco Sabcobel and Molok. Tom Messiaen and Peter Dufaux are the key partners.
Monard – D’Hulst’s five-partner team covers tax advisory and litigation, as well as estate planning and criminal tax proceedings. Names to note include Hilde Van den Keybus and Filip Soetaert. The latter negotiated with the tax administration on behalf of a textile company in relation to withholding tax.
Monard-D’Hulst welcomes this recognition with great pleasure as it is a sign of confidence from its clients and a confirmation of our position in the Belgian legal market. Monard-D’Hulst will strive to do even better in the rankings next year by continuing to serve the interests of its client by doing exactly what we always aim for: provide effective, top-notch, internationally competitive legal services, at local rates.
The Legal 500 ranks law firms and lawyers annually in over 90 jurisdictions worldwide. Complete information on Monard-D’Hulst’s rankings can be consulted through this link: http://www.legal500.com/firms/15385/offices/15574 .
