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Philippe & Partners

What motivates us?

We are convinced that priority must be given to innovation as a source of progress.

Our action is therefore guided by a core value, a value reflecting a lawyer’s social role: the success of your projects.

How do we work?

Above all, we seek to understand you and your business.

This is why we do not see a lawyer’s role solely as describing legal rules, but much more as coming up with pragmatic yet legally sound solutions tailored to ensure the successful realisation of your projects. As many of us have worked within your companies (outsourcing/outplacement), we understand “how you tick”.

Anticipating legal developments helps ensure the long-term accuracy of legal solutions. This is the reason why our firm is made up of specialised lawyers. It has very close links with the academic world, and a number of our lawyers take on teaching assignments in the main Belgian universities and certain European ones.

Our firm has branches in several countries and our lawyers are multilingual. We have also developed, over time, privileged partnerships with international lawyer networks sharing our humanist values, allowing us to support your projects throughout the world.

Our firm is completely independent, has a human size and is guided by an irreproachable professional ethic.

Attentive to the sound financial management of our firm, we offer particularly attractive fees.

Awards & rankings

  • Philippe & Partners is recommended by Legal 500:

    TOP TIER FIRM (Luxembourg) AND RECOMMENDED FIRM (Belgium) IN THE INSURANCE SECTOR (2024)

    “Philippe & Partners‘ insurance team, which is noted for its ‘professionalism and collaboration‘, handles a range of advisory and contentious work in the insurance sector, with the group singled out for its competence in insurance products and distribution services, as well as its ability to assist with insurance-related regulatory, corporate and tax issues. Life insurance specialist Marc Gouden, who divides his time between Brussels and Luxembourg, heads up the practice alongside Pierre Moreau, whose diverse practice extends to group insurance and the development of life and non-life policies; Moreau divides his time between Brussels, Luxembourg and Mons.”

    Marc Gouden is considered Leading Individual.

    Practice head(s): Pierre Moreau; Marc Gouden
    Other key lawyers: Isabelle Cirriez; Ihsan Karatas

    RECOMMENDED FIRM IN DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND IN THE ENERGY SECTOR (2024)

    “Philippe & Partners‘ disputes practice is commended for its’ ‘industry knowledge, client-centric approach, responsiveness, and dedication to client satisfaction’, with vast experience across civil and commercial litigation. Insurance litigation, class actions, and commercial arbitration are all key strengths of the team, which represents leading insurance companies, energy suppliers, and financial institutions. Founding partner Denis Philippe leads the practice with Marc Gouden, who has particular expertise in insurance and energy work. Also of note are Pierre Moreau and Dirk Clarysse, who is noted for his ‘exceptional accessibility and responsiveness’.”

    Practice head: Denis Philippe
    Other key lawyers: Marc Gouden, Pierre Moreau, Dirk Clarysse, Charlotte Romaen

    Philippe & Partners handles litigation and transactional work arising from the energy sector and stands out for its work for the likes of Engie Electrabel and Tractebel on matters concerning the energy transition. Practice head Denis Philippe, who is a director of the Belgian Nuclear Association, is respected for his work in both international and domestic arbitration. Mathieu Clément de Cléty is a key adviser on contentious matters concerning constitutional, administrative, and energy law

    Practice head: Denis Philippe
    Other key lawyer: Mathieu Clément de Cléty

    Top tier firm in the insurance practice area (2021)

    Philippe & Partners benefits from expertise across Belgium and Luxembourg, which makes it a clear choice for clients seeking cross-border sector-specific advice on the development of new insurance products and distribution services, alongside regulatory and governance issues.

    Philippe & Partners ‘has an excellent reputation with the regulators and insurance companies’, enabling it to effectively advise insurers and reinsurers across the spectrum of issues impacting their businesses, including on the implications of current legislation and EU directives, as well as on product development and M&A-related matters.

    Marc Gouden and Pierre Moreau co-head the team and are able to provide ‘accurate and fast advice’ by virtue of their ‘in-depth knowledge’ of the sector. Clients also appreciate the ‘availability, know-how and speed of reaction’ of practice co-heads Marc Gouden and Pierre Moreau, who both handle advisory and contentious cases. The ‘no-nonsense’ Moreau is singled out for delivering ‘top-notch legal advice’, most significantly on the development and distribution of life and non-life policy products.

    Ranked firm in the energy sector (2021)

    At Philippe & Partners, the multidisciplinary energy department has recognised expertise in commercial, contractual and liability matters, particularly during criminal investigations and construction-oriented claims. Its client roster comprises well-known domestic energy suppliers in the electricity, gas and oil sectors, along with producers, distributors and regulators. Name partner Denis Philippe is the key contact and heads a team including power specialist and of counsel Pierre Bernard.

    Ranked firm for dispute resolution (2021)

    At Philippe & Partners, the ‘hard-working and efficient’ team continues to act for a government body in longrunning competition litigation against four prominent elevator companies over the alleged creation of a cartel. Practice head Denis Philippe has ‘good strategic insight’. In addition, insurance and energy litigation expert Marc Gouden is also a key contact.

    Top-tier firm for insurance (2020)

    ‘One of the best small-to-mid sized firms dedicated to the insurance sector’, Philippe & Partners has an ‘excellent understanding of the local regulatory framework’, including in relation to distribution, product development and M&A-related matters. The firm has also provided guidance to insurance clients on GDPR matters and Brexit-related strategic issues. It is also knowledgeable about issues that concern clients’ businesses, including regulatory and governance issues, and corporate and tax matters. A distinguishing feature of the team is that it has expertise in sector-specific issues in both Belgium and Luxembourg, which makes it a strong choice for cross-border advice.

    ‘The firm has an excellent knowledge of the Luxembourg life and non-life insurance legal and regulatory framework.‘
    ‘The firm has an excellent reputation in Belgium and abroad. It provides clients with personalised and efficient legal advice to the highest professional standards‘
    ‘The team is very experienced and reactive.‘
    ‘The team is a real business partner and always tries to find solutions for our business.‘
    ‘They are true specialists in life insurance.‘
    ‘Marc Gouden is an exceptional lawyer with extensive knowledge and broad experience of Belgian insurance law. He understands the exact needs of corporate clients‘
    ‘Marc Gouden is a real specialist in insurance law for two main markets (Belgium and Luxembourg) and it is always a pleasure to exchange information about the different regulations.‘
    ‘Marc Gouden has a deep knowledge of insurance matters across Luxembourg, Belgium and internationally.‘

    Recommended for Dispute Resolution (2020)

    Philippe & Partners reports an uptick in arbitration matters. On the contentious side, the group represents prominent clients from the insurance, energy, financial and corporate sectors, among others, in a wide range of disputes.

    Top-tier firm in the insurance practice (2019)

    “’True specialists in the insurance field’, Philippe & Partners provides a ‘responsive and pragmatic’ service to many leading insurance companies, which are appreciative of the firm’s ‘ability to provide effective updates on forthcoming regulatory changes’.

    Philippe & Partners has ‘an excellent integrated practice in the insurance sector, both in Belgium and Luxembourg’, and it generates mandates from insurance companies, brokers, professional associations and wealth planners. Its team leverages its ‘very extensive knowledge of insurance regulations’ to assist clients with their most significant and challenging legal issues. Recent work includes advising clients on the implementation of the Insurance Distribution Directive, Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation and General Data Protection Regulation.”

    Recommended firm in dispute resolution (2019)

    “Philippe & Partners has ‘excellent knowledge of the insurance industry’ and has been particularly active advising clients on compliance with recent European legislation, including the Insurance Distribution Directive. Marc Gouden has ‘an ability to think outside the box’ and particular expertise advising on life insurance products.” (2018)

    “‘Real experts in the area’, Philippe & Partners provides ‘excellent business knowledge’ in the insurance sector to local and international market participants across a broad spectrum of issues relating to product development, operational concerns and litigation. Team head Marc Gouden (who is ‘responsive and to the point’) has particular expertise advising on life insurance products.” (2017)

    “Philippe & Partners advises local and multinational clients on contentious and non-contentious banking matters. Denis Philippe heads the practice.” (2013)

    “Philippe & Partners handles contentious and non-contentious banking and finance instructions, and is noted for its substantial business acumen and sector knowledge. The reliable Pierre Moreau has ‘an eye for detail’ (…). The firm also has a strong insurance and liabilities practice fronted by Marc Gouden.” (2012)

  • Les « Trophées du Droit » visent à récompenser, une fois par an, les praticiens français les plus reconnus du droit des affaires, après consultation et délibération d’un jury spécialisé par discipline et composé de professionnels.
    Philippe & Partners a reçu le trophée d’argent lors de l’édition 2020, dans la catégorie « meilleurs cabinets internationaux » pour la Belgique.
    De “Trophées du Droit” hebben tot doel, een keer per jaar, de meest erkende Franse juristen in ondernemingsrecht te belonen, na overleg en beraadslaging door een per discipline gespecialiseerde jury, bestaande uit professionals.
    Philippe & Partners ontving de zilveren trofee van de 2020-editie, in de categorie “beste internationale advocatenkantoren” voor België.
    The “Trophées du Droit” awards are intended to reward, once a year, the most recognised French business law practitioners, after consultation and deliberation by a jury specialised by discipline and composed of professionals.
    Philippe & Partners was granted the silver trophy of the 2020 edition, in the category “best international law firms” for Belgium.
  • Former Belgian Legal Awards:

    Philippe & Partners won in 2009 and 2011 the awards for “Best Belgian law firm of the year” and in 2011 the award for “Best Litigation & Arbitration law firm of the year”.

    In 2010 and 2008 Philippe & Partners received the award for “Best Banking & Finance law firm of the year”.

    In 2012 and 2013 Philippe & Partners was recognised as the “Best Environment, energy and regulatory firm of the year”

International

By grouping lawyers from different EU countries under one roof and putting its membership and active participation in different networks and organizations, Philippe & Partners is internationally oriented and is able to offer cross-border services. As a result, Philippe & Partners has developed an extensive knowledge and expertise in international transactions , which facilitates the European harmonization process.

Philippe & Partners is member of the following international professional networks :

  • Legal Network International (LNI)

    Association of law firms specialized in international services

  • IAG

    Integrated Advisory Group International

  • IBLC

    Association of law firms specialized in international services

  • INTERLEGES

    International association of independant law firms