Fieldfisher built out its Belgian competition practice with the arrival of Hendrik Viaene in January 2026 from McDermott Will & Schulte. Viaene brings a notable track-record spanning merger filings, cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, FSR and State aid litigation.

A&O Shearman regularly handles complex contentious and non-contentious competition matters, assists clients across the telecoms, financial services, automotive and energy sectors. The team has experience handling complex antitrust litigation, including cartel cases, and is particularly skilled at handling multi-jurisdictional merger control matters. The practice is headed by Dirk Arts, who possesses a wealth of experience in high-profile merger control proceedings and cartel investigations. Eliana Paredis offers expertise on competition law matters within the energy, industrial, and TMT sectors. Further key contacts include merger control specialist Sylvain Petit and Nele De Backer, who brings investigations experience.

contrast is well-equipped to handle the full range of competition law issues, at both domestic and EU levels. The team regularly handles complex matters spanning the automotive, banking, retail, telecoms and agriculture sectors. Filip Tuytschaever possesses a strong track record in handling high-profile cartel and abuse of dominance matters. Herlinde Burez focuses on domestic and EU level merger control proceedings, with particular experience in the automotive industry. Sébastien Engelen specialises in contentious and non-contentious State aid matters. Mathieu Vancaillie provides support to the team.

Stibbe‘s EU law, competition and regulation team possesses considerable expertise in handling the full spectrum of competition law issues, including merger control, FDI, abuse of dominance and economic dependence, cartels and State aid. As a core area of focus, Sophie Van Besien is proficient in handling complex cross-border merger control cases, supplementing this with a strong practice concerning cartels and abuse of dominance matters. Quentin Declève supports the team in contentious and non-contentious antitrust and competition matters. Peter Wytinck retired from the practice in December 2025.

Standing out for its ‘high level of business acumen’ and ‘sound legal solutions’, CMS demonstrates deep expertise in the pharmaceuticals, aerospace, transport, and technology sectors. Practice co-head Annabelle Lepièce possesses particular expertise in State aid matters, though is also active in FSR and FDI-related mandates. Fellow co-lead Dirk Van Liedekerke specialises in cartels and abuse of dominance cases, with a strong focus on regulated sectors and the sports industry. A further key contact is Marguerite Soete, who supports the team.

Covington & Burling LLP‘s competition practice handles both contentious and non-contentious matters, with recent mandates spanning merger control clearance, cartels and abuse of dominance investigations and State aid matters. Practice head Johan Ysewyn is highly regarded both for his litigation skill as well as the depth of his regulatory knowledge. Melissa Van Schoorisse is particularly active in the media, entertainment and consumer goods industries, while Carole Maczkovics focuses on the energy and transportation sectors.

Crowell & Moring is particularly proficient in handling merger control, foreign direct investment and State aid matters, with a strong focus in the entertainment, pharmaceuticals and telecoms and media sectors. Co-heading the practice is the ‘business-minded’ and ‘solution-oriented’ Thomas De Meese, a merger control and private enforcement specialist with a notable track-record representing clients before both the domestic and EU courts. Fellow team co-lead Karel Bourgeois specialises in merger control and cartel matters and elsewhere demonstrates expertise advising clients on State aid mandates.

Deprevernet specialises in complex contentious matters, including abuse of dominance and economic dependence investigations, competition litigation and State aid issues. Practice co-head Grégoire Ryelandt possesses significant experience handling cartel, abuse of economic dependence and State aid cases for clients spanning the media and technology sectors. Fellow co-lead Jasper De fauw specialises in private enforcement and follow-on damages actions, while additionally demonstrating experience in merger control matters. Evrard de Lophem is highly sought-after among pharmaceutical, construction and consumer goods clients.

Eubelius handles both contentious and non-contentious competition matters, demonstrating a particularly strong track record in merger control, FDI, and abuse of dominance matters. Practice co-lead Jan Bocken specialises in merger control matters, with experience handling cases in the energy, media and postal services sectors. Fellow co-head Hans Gilliams specialises in complex State aid matters, boasting a deep track-record in the financial sector. The ‘excellent’, ‘hands-on’, and ‘accessible’ Kim Gillade is a further key contact.

Faros is a competition law boutique with a strong track-record in handling cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, merger control matters and State aid issues. The team is regularly engaged to handle matters both domestically and before the European Commission. The practice is co-led by automotive and retail sector expert Frank Wijckmans; media and telecoms space specialist Emmelie Wijckmans; Maaike Visser, who specialises in complex cartel investigations and private damages claims; compliance expert Karolien Francken; and Anouk Focquet, who pairs data and competition expertise.

Complementing its particular expertise handling merger control and FDI cases, Jones Day possesses a wealth of experience in handling abuse of dominance, State aid and follow-on litigation mandates. Practice head Alexandre Verheyden is a seasoned litigator with experience representing clients before both the Belgian authorities and the European Commission. The team elsewhere calls upon Serge Clerckx  for his expertise in complex merger control mandates. On European, French, and Belgian antitrust and competition matters, Charlotte Breuvart is a key contact. Laurent De Muyter stands out in the tech sector.

Liedekerke handles the full gamut of competition law issues, including merger control, FDI, cartel investigations, litigation, regulatory issues and State aid matters. Practice co-head Stefaan Raes specialises in contentious competition matters, including follow-on damages claims, cartel investigations and abuse of economic dependence matters. Raes regularly acts for clients which span the transportation, pharmaceutical and media sectors. Fellow co-head Vincent Mussche focuses his expertise on foreign direct investment matters. Nina Carlier supports the team on merger control, cartel, and abuse of dominance matters.

Quinz is particularly adept at handling complex cartel investigations and litigation, with experience in the life sciences, energy, automotive and financial sectors. Heading the practice is Wim De Meester, who is a noted cartels, abuse of dominance and litigation specialist. Sought-after for his ‘practical, commercially attuned approach’, De Meester demonstrates longstanding experience handling matters before both the Belgian and the EU courts. The team calls upon the support of investigation expert Miranda van Limpt, compliance specialist Elise Mariman, and Charlotte Reyns, who focuses on contentious matters.

Strelia‘s competition team is highly skilled in contentious matters, with experience handling complex litigation for telecoms, insurance and sports sector clients. Standing out for his ‘great rigour and accuracy’, practice head Pierre Goffinet draws on a wealth of economic and competition law knowhow to act for regulated sector clients on complex and critical matters. Supporting the team is Mediona Shehu, who demonstrates particular expertise acting on cases concerning restrictive agreements and abuse of dominance within regulated sectors.

Van Bael & Bellis‘ competition team acts for a number of high-profile clients spanning the pharmaceuticals, insurance and automotive sectors. The team handles the full range of competition issues including merger control, litigation, cartels and abuse of economic dependence. Practice head Peter L’Ecluse possesses deep expertise in the automotive and life sciences sectors, particularly with regard to contentious matters. Kris Van Hove specialises in competition law litigation and regulatory matters, while Koen T’Syen combines competition and commercial law expertise. Valérie Lefever and Vincent Reijns support the team.

ALTIUS is regularly entrusted to assist clients in merger control, FDI, cartels and abuse of dominance cases. The team acts for clients in the life sciences, consumer goods, telecoms and media sectors. Leading the practice is Carmen Verdonck, who is highly sought-after for her expertise across contentious and non-contentious cross-border antitrust and competition matters. A further key contact is Beatrijs Gielen, who supports the team across the full range of competition law mandates.

Ashurst LLP fields a competition team well-versed in handling high-profile cartel and abuse of dominance cases before the Belgian Competition Authority. The practice is headed by Annick Vroninks, whose sectoral expertise spans energy, transportation and construction. Vroninks is highly sought-after for her ‘exceptional legal acumen and dedication’ on complex and business-critical competition law cases. Irene Antypas is a regulatory expert with a focus on the life sciences, chemicals and environmental sectors.

Baker McKenzie BV/SRL handles a wide range of competition law mandates, including merger control, competition investigations and litigation, State aid and compliance. Kurt Haegeman, who co-heads the team, is particularly experienced in abuse of dominance investigations, acting for notable clients in the pharmaceuticals, financial services and consumer goods industries. Fellow co-head Bram Hoorelbeke is an experienced competition litigator. Further key contacts include Victor Saint-Cast and Beau Maes, who support the team.

Bird & Bird’s competition practice has a strong track-record in assisting clients in complex multi-jurisdictional cartel investigations. The team is also well-equipped to handle merger control, FSR and FDI matters, with particular experience acting for clients in the telecoms sector. Practice head Hein Hobbelen is regularly turned to for his expertise regarding cartel investigations, State aid and regulatory issues. Other key lawyers in the team include Baptist Vleeshouwers, who demonstrates notable merger clearance and FDI experience. José Rivas retired from the practice in April 2025.

Linklaters is regularly entrusted on a range of contentious and non-contentious competition law matters, including cross-border merger clearances, cartel investigations, abuse of economic dependence investigations and foreign investment screening. Practice head Lodewick Prompers specialises in merger control, with experience handling cases at both the Belgian and EU levels. Other key lawyers in the team include veteran litigator Bernd Meyring and Liliane Gam, who is experienced in State aid and foreign investment issues.