The corporate law firm AMBOS with offices in Antwerp, Ghent and Zeebruges is adding 4 new partners and merging with NBGO Lex, the Brussels-Antwerp law firm formed by the eminent practitioners, Roel Nieuwdorp, Carl Bevernage and Wilfred Goris. The new firm will operate under the name AMBOS NBGO as of 1 July.
AMBOS NBGO will offer legal services to the market with an innovative model: a firm of specialized entrepreneurial lawyers, with a broad range of partners who are directly accessible and available for close collaboration with their clients.
Managing Partner Kurt Faes: "Whereas many Belgian firms follow the Anglo-American leveraged model, we take a different approach: a full service firm with a high ratio of partners allowing for maximum client reach and delivery with a more limited number of associates per partner. At AMBOS we have already shown that this model is very successful."
This modus operandi reflects the shift over the past years in the field of professional legal services, says Faes: "Surveys show that in house counsel are taking a more prominent role since the financial crisis: they do more of the legal work themselves. If and when they call on outside assistance, they look for highly qualified specialists. Moreover a new market has emerged in Belgium - call it a non-served audience - of ambitious small and medium size enterprises and start-ups. These entities look for law firms such as AMBOS NBGO for outstanding service at a reasonable price with easy access to the partners. "
About AMBOS
AMBOS was formed in 2004 by a few former Loeff Claeys Verbeke lawyers (Peter Van de Vijver, Ingrid Van Clemen and Kurt Faes). The firm has been able to expand rapidly to around 15 lawyers and to add the corporate partners David Dessers, Filip De Schouwer and Jeroen Bral, who joined the firm from international firms (i.e. Allen&Overy and Linklaters) and/or as in house counsel (i.a. Capco, Option, Alcopa/Moorkens). The firm has been recognized by Legal 500 and the award of "Best Regional Firm in Flanders 2010".
The firm has grown from initially serving clients in the triangle Antwerp-Ghent-Brussels into its current position as an important player in the Belgian business community. The merger with NBGO and the addition of other partners is a reflection of this expanding role and will strengthen the firm's appeal to multinational clients in Belgium.
About NBGO
NBGO Lex was formed in 2009 by three former senior partners of Loyens & Loeff, who had been partners at De Bandt van Hecke Lagae & Loesch (currently Linklaters): Roel Nieuwdorp, Carl Bevernage en Wilfred Goris. They were joined by Stijn Verbeke en Jens Van Hecke from Loyens & Loeff. The lawyers at NBGO Lex have a wealth of experience in the provision of high quality legal services at an international level.
Roel Nieuwdorp: "We founded NBGO Lex with a view of sharing with a next generation of ambitious lawyers the experience and network we built over a period of almost forty years. With AMBOS we have found a perfect match: a young, dynamic team with an entrepreneurial spirit."
NEW PARTNERS
AMBOS NBGO also welcomes the arrival of four new partners: Kathleen Paisley, an American lawyer established in Belgium with a broad experience in international arbitration and mediation, competition law and IP/IT, Caroline Wildemeersch (corporate & finance), Christina Trappeniers (corporate & finance) and Johan Kerremans (labor and employment law).
"AMBOS" - which means 'both' in Spanish - reflects the fact that the firm intends to combine the best of two worlds," says Caroline Wildemeersch. "The firm wishes to combine the advantages of the 'first tier' firms, i.e., specialized and to-the point advice, with rates that are reflective of the current economic environment. This no-nonsense approach of AMBOS NBGO was a decisive factor for me in joining the firm."
THE PRACTICE AREAS OF AMBOS-NBGO
AMBOS-NBGO is engaged in a broad legal practice with expertise in the following areas:
1. Administrative an environmental law
2. Banking and finance law
3. Commercial law and litigation
4. Company law/ M&A/ Private Equity
5. Competition law
6. Health regulatory law and medical malpractice law
7. Intellectual property and high tech law (IP/IT)
8. Labor and Employment law, Social Security law, Benefits and Pensions
9. Maritime law
10 National and international arbitration and mediation
11. Real estate law and financing
AMBOS NBGO has 21 lawyers and four offices: Antwerp-Brussels-Ghent-Zeebruges
More info on: http://www.amboslaw.be.
