The Brussels office of Stibbe is pleased to announce the promotions of Charlotte Conings (Criminal Law) and Mitch Windsor (Real Estate, Projects & Energy) to Of Counsel, and Carolien Michielsen (Technology, Media and Telecommunications) and Lander Van Gucht (Corporate and M&A) to Counsel, effective 1 July 2026. The appointments reinforce Stibbe’s expertise across four key areas and reflect the firm’s continued investment in its people and practices.
Charlotte Conings – Of Counsel, Criminal Law
Charlotte Conings has been a member of Stibbe’s Brussels Criminal Law team since 2016. She advises and represents clients in corporate criminal law matters, covering a broad spectrum of offences, including forgery, financial and social fraud, market abuse, corruption, money laundering, and environmental offences.
Charlotte’s particular area of expertise lies in cybercrime and digital investigations, in both public and private settings. Over the years, she has developed comprehensive knowledge and practical skills to address the complexities of criminal activities involving digital technologies. This includes navigating legal challenges related to hacking, online fraud and forgery, and the collection and analysis of digital evidence.
Charlotte holds a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in Law from KU Leuven. In the coming academic year, she will join KU Leuven as a substitute lecturer to teach the course on General Offences in Criminal Law (Bijzonder Strafrecht). She furthermore serves on the editorial board of Tijdschrift voor Strafrecht and regularly publishes and speaks on developments in criminal law.
Mitch Windsor – Of Counsel, Real Estate, Projects & Energy
Mitch Windsor has been a member of Stibbe’s Real Estate, Projects & Energy practice group in Brussels since 2017. He advises developers, investors and lenders on the financing and realisation of major energy and industrial infrastructure projects.
Mitch has significant experience advising on construction-related agreements in the energy sector, including EPC, equipment supply contracts, FEED and other engineering contracts, and LTSA and O&M contracts. His expertise covers the full spectrum of Stibbe’s Energy, Industry & Utilities practice, including onshore and offshore wind, solar, BESS, gas and nuclear across the Benelux. Mitch guides clients throughout the project lifecycle, from the early development phase to financial close and through project execution to operations. He is also experienced in complex international construction arbitration (ICC, CEPANI).
Mitch qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2016 and has been a member of the Brussels Bar since 2017. He regularly contributes to international construction law publications, including the Belgium chapter of the Projects and Construction Review.
Carolien Michielsen – Counsel, Technology, Media and Telecommunications
Carolien Michielsen has been part of Stibbe’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) practice group in Brussels since 2016. She advises clients on a broad range of technology and digital matters, with particular expertise in complex technology transactions and digital transformation projects, data protection and privacy, telecommunications, digital services, and cybersecurity. Her practice covers advisory and transactional work as well as litigation, regularly representing clients before courts and competent authorities.
Carolien holds a master’s degree in Law and an LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law and ICT Law from KU Leuven. She also completed the Stibbe MBA Highlights Programme at INSEAD Business School and regularly publishes on developments in her areas of expertise.
Lander Van Gucht – Counsel, Corporate and M&A
Lander Van Gucht has been a member of Stibbe’s Brussels Corporate and M&A team since 2016. He advises on Belgian corporate law, with a particular focus on domestic and cross-border transactions, including private and public M&A and corporate restructurings. His practice also covers general corporate and securities law, corporate and M&A litigation, and corporate finance. Lander also brings specific expertise in the restructuring and governance of public sector entities, as well as real estate investment companies (REITs).
Lander holds a master’s degree in Law from the University of Antwerp and a postgraduate degree in Corporate Finance from EHSAL Management School. He completed the Stibbe MBA Highlights Programme at INSEAD Business School and has authored and co-authored several legal publications.
Wouter Ghijsels, Managing Partner of Stibbe Brussels: “Our clients are facing increasingly complex challenges, from regulatory investigations, cybersecurity and digital transformation to the energy transition and strategic corporate transactions. Charlotte, Mitch, Carolien and Lander have each developed outstanding expertise in their respective fields and are trusted advisers to our clients. Their promotions recognise the significant contribution they have made to Stibbe and ensure that our clients continue to benefit from leading expertise across our full-service offering. We are delighted to congratulate them on this well-deserved achievement.”
Source: Stibbe
