“Magic Circle” firm A&O Shearman is among the largest law firms in the world with 44 office locations globally. The firm’s Belgian offices are in Antwerp and Brussels. 

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm’s financial and corporate offering in Belgium is top tier, with market-leading competence possessed in banking, capital markets, M&A and project development. 

The banking team has a roughly equal split between sponsor and borrower side work and provides a comprehensive service to large banks, corporate borrowers and issuers on all types of financing work. The firm also has a top-flight financial services regulatory practice to complement its transactional and advisory work. 

In capital markets the firm is strong and highly active across debt, equity, derivatives and structured finance. It has traditionally been recognised for its underwriter-side work but has in recent years increased the number of issuer-side representations. 

Its market leading M&A team has a prolific deal flow and roles on most of the large Belgian transactions. The team is strong in both the French and Dutch parts of Belgium and boasts the most active private equity practice in the country. 

The firm is also well recognised for its projects practice, which is strong in both infrastructure and energy. Comprised of dedicated lawyers based in Brussels and Antwerp, the firm has pioneered the development of public-private partnerships and greenfield in the Belgian legal market and has played a role in every major PFI and PPP in Belgium. 

Key clients 

Key clients include Belfius Bank, ABN AMRO, ING Belgium, KBC Bank, Kharis Capital, Natixis, Immobel, Argenta Spaarbank, Bank of America, International Swaps & Derivatives Association, JP Morgan, Lineas, Kartesia, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, Recticel, QSR Platform and La Lorraine Bakery Group. 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2021/2022) 

Project development: Energy 

“A&O Shearman Belgium is a very well established name in the DBFM(O)market and as such has a wealth of experience that it can use to its advantage in advising us. They have a hands-on and efficient approach and are able to think alongside us to tackle challenges (e.g. group internal) and provide solutions.” 

M&A 

“Strong experience in international M&A, very reliable and qualitative service. Also strong in brand building by providing training to young PE professionals.”