Belgium's Van Bael & Bellis Revamps Management Team
Jean-François Bellis, founding and co-managing partner of the well-known Belgian firm, has been named firm chairman.
May 28, 2019 at 07:50 PM
2 minute read
Jean-François Bellis, founder and co-managing partner of the Belgian law firm Van Bael & Bellis, has been named chairman of the firm.
Co-managing partner Philippe De Baere will become sole managing partner, while Andrzej Kmiecik will take over as head of the firm's competition practice.
The changes take effect on June 1.
Van Bael & Bellis is one of the best-known law firms in Belgium and has built a strong reputation in EU law. Bellis founded the firm in 1986 and is respected for his work in EU competition and trade law. His move to the position of chairman is seen as a prelude to retirement.
De Baere has been a partner at the firm since 1994 and was appointed co-managing partner in September 2016. He is recognised as a leading practitioner in EU and international trade law and he will continue to act as head of the international trade practice.
"This is an exciting time for Van Bael & Bellis and I am honoured to step into this role," he said in a statement. "I am committed to building on the firm's legacy of first-rate legal expertise and outstanding client care. We are witnessing more rapid change than at any other time in our history. Our role is to make sure that we put our clients and their needs first, so that we can continue delivering more value to their businesses."
Andrzej Kmiecik, who has been a partner at Van Bael & Bellis since 1994 and who will lead the competition practice, is a recognised EU competition law expert.
"I am pleased to see Andrzej step into the role of head of the EU competition practice," Bellis said. "He is a talented practitioner with longstanding experience. He has served as a key partner in the competition law team for many years and his leadership of the team is a natural progression."
Van Bael & Bellis's Brussels and Geneva offices now include 22 partners, six senior counsel, five counsel and 35 associates.
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