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Key contacts
Key contact: Timothy Speelman
Quick facts
Number of lawyers

293

Languages

Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish

Key practice areas
Banking and finance
Financial and corporate
M&A
Banking and finance
Firm overview
AKD is a leading international law firm, with over 600 lawyers, tax advisers, civil-law notaries and supporting professionals advising on Dutch, Belgian and Luxembourg legal and tax matters.

For over a century, we’ve combined a full-service approach with both broad and in-depth sector knowledge. We believe it’s essential to know what’s happening, how things work, what defines a sector’s nature and habits, and how the dynamics play out.

That’s why we stay close to our clients — to truly understand their sector inside out. This enables us to look at every question from multiple angles and deliver high-quality, well-rounded solutions. We do so from our own offices, as well as through our dedicated country teams and our extensive, global Friends Network.

We have the scale, expertise and experience to advise on national and international mergers and acquisitions. To resolve complex public matters and handle disputes large and small. To advise on major projects, from the energy transition to issues around privacy and data security.
Client feedback

“Very hand on and strong commercially thinking.”

“Responsive, diligent and competent.”

“Reliable and professional partner.”

Key transactional practices
Other offices

Rotterdam
Wilhelminakade 1 (Maastoren)
3072 AP, Rotterdam
T: +31 88 253 5000
info@akd.eu

Eindhoven
Flight Forum 1
5657 DA, Eindhoven
T: +31 88 253 5000
info@akd.eu

Breda
Vlaszak 67
4811 GX, Breda
T: +31 88 253 5000
info@akd.eu

Amsterdam
Gustav Mahlerlaan 2970
1081 LA, Amsterdam
T: +31 88 253 5​0 00
info@akd.eu

Luxembourg
42, Avenue Monterey
 L-2163, Luxembourg
T: +352 26 75 82 
info@akd.eu

Address:
5, Place du Champ de Mars
1050, Brussels
Belgium
Tel:+32 2 629 42 22 Fax:+32 2 629 42 11 Email:Contact Us Web Address:https://akd.eu/offices/brussels

IFLR1000 Sponsored

2027 Edition
Banking and finance
29 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

A&O Shearman
8 practice areas
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Linklaters
8 practice areas
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Tier 2

Baker McKenzie
6 practice areas
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Clifford Chance
9 practice areas
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DLA Piper
5 practice areas
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Loyens & Loeff
9 practice areas
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Stibbe
8 practice areas
View profile

Tier 3

Eubelius
9 practice areas
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Jones Day
6 practice areas
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Liedekerke
8 practice areas
View profile
NautaDutilh
6 practice areas
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White & Case
6 practice areas
View profile

Tier 4

AKD
4 practice areas
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Argo
7 practice areas
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Ashurst Perkins Coie
6 practice areas
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Deloitte Legal
8 practice areas
View profile
Fieldfisher
4 practice areas
View profile
Hogan Lovells Cadwalader
2 practice areas
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Lydian
7 practice areas
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Tier 5

Altius
6 practice areas
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Astrea
3 practice areas
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Dentons
2 practice areas
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Simmons & Simmons
1 practice area
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Strelia
4 practice areas
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Notable

Ariga
2 practice areas
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
7 practice areas
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Freshfields
7 practice areas
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Monard Law
7 practice areas
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Van Bael & Bellis
4 practice areas
View profile
M&A
40 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

A&O Shearman
8 practice areas
View profile
Baker McKenzie
6 practice areas
View profile
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
7 practice areas
View profile
Clifford Chance
9 practice areas
View profile
Freshfields
7 practice areas
View profile

Tier 2

Eubelius
9 practice areas
View profile
Linklaters
8 practice areas
View profile
Loyens & Loeff
9 practice areas
View profile
Stibbe
8 practice areas
View profile

Tier 3

Altius
6 practice areas
View profile
Argo
7 practice areas
View profile
Liedekerke
8 practice areas
View profile
Lydian
7 practice areas
View profile
NautaDutilh
6 practice areas
View profile
Van Bael & Bellis
4 practice areas
View profile
White & Case
6 practice areas
View profile

Tier 4

Astrea
3 practice areas
View profile
CMS DeBacker
3 practice areas
View profile
Cresco
5 practice areas
View profile
DLA Piper
5 practice areas
View profile
Deloitte Legal
8 practice areas
View profile
Dentons
2 practice areas
View profile
Jones Day
6 practice areas
View profile
Monard Law
7 practice areas
View full profile
Quinz
3 practice areas
View profile
Simont Braun
5 practice areas
View profile
Strelia
4 practice areas
View profile
Van Olmen & Wynant
3 practice areas
View profile

Tier 5

AKD
4 practice areas
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Contrast
3 practice areas
View profile
Fieldfisher
4 practice areas
View profile
PKF BOFIDI Legal
1 practice area
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PwC Legal
5 practice areas
View profile
Quorum
2 practice areas
View profile

Notable

ACE Law View profile
Cambrian
2 practice areas
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EY Law
1 practice area
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Four & Five Law
2 practice areas
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Lime
4 practice areas
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Winston Taylor View profile
AKD
Linked Reviews
Financial and corporate
AKD has established a strong position in the Belgian market through its work on M&A, private equity, financing and strategic corporate transactions. The firm is particularly active in sectors such as technology, life sciences, industrials and innovation-driven businesses, where clients value its ability to combine transactional expertise with commercial and sector-specific insight.

The practice regularly advises corporates, investors, private equity houses and financial institutions on acquisitions, investments, financings and business transformations. Its client base reflects a diverse mix of strategic and financial investors, with recent mandates involving Thomas Gruppe, Gardiner Bros, Jaga, Wasserman, ING Belgium, Morgan Stanley, KBC Bank, Mentha Capital, PMV and Varadero Capital. This broad client roster demonstrates the firm's continued activity across mid-market and cross-border transactions involving both domestic and international stakeholders.

AKD is particularly recognised for its work at the intersection of corporate transactions, technology, innovation and growth sectors. The team advises clients throughout the full lifecycle of a transaction, from structuring and due diligence through to negotiation, financing and post-closing integration. Its multidisciplinary approach enables the firm to support clients on complex matters requiring corporate, financing and regulatory expertise.

Clients value the firm's practical and commercially focused approach to transactions. Feedback highlights the team's responsiveness, ability to work effectively under tight timelines and strong execution capabilities on cross-border matters. The practice is also recognised for its professionalism, integrity and commitment to delivering clear and solution-oriented advice, particularly when acting alongside international counsel on complex transactions.

Key clients

Thomas Gruppe; Gardiner Bros; Jaga; Wasserman; ING Belgium; Morgan Stanley; KBC Bank; Mentha Capital; PMV; Varadero Capital, L.P.

Testimonials

“Strong responsiveness and ability to meet tight deadlines.” (Cross-border finance)

“Commercially focused and solution-oriented.” (Cross-border finance)

“High integrity and professionalism.” (Corporate / M&A)

“Strong legal knowledge and a passionate, committed team.” (Corporate / M&A)

“Consistently strong client service.” (Corporate / M&A)
4 results4 results
Deal Highlights
10 results10 results
Deal Name Deal Date Firm Name Jurisdiction Deal Type Lawyer Names Client Names Client Role
Pony SA Compartment German Auto Loans 2021-1 - Bond Issue
2021-07-01
AKD
Germany
Bond issue
ING Bank
Underwriter
Groupe Sterne - M&A
2022-02-23
AKD
Germany
M&A
Groupe Sterne
Buyer
Ncardia - M&A
2021-11-20
AKD
Belgium
M&A
Timothy Speelman
Ncardia
Target
OneMed - M&A
2021-06-01
AKD
Belgium
M&A
Timothy Speelman
OneMed
Acquirer
Astek - M&A
2021-02-20
AKD
Belgium
M&A
Timothy Speelman, Nathalie van Woerkom
Astek
Acquirer
New Era Technology - M&A
2021-09-20
AKD
Belgium
M&A
Timothy Speelman, Mickey Engel
New Era Technology
Merger party
Remia - M&A
2021-05-20
AKD
Belgium
M&A
Timothy Speelman
Remia
Acquirer
Masco Corp - M&A
2021-03-20
AKD
Belgium
M&A
Timothy Speelman
Masco Corp
Seller
Alcadon Group - M&A
2021-12-20
AKD
Belgium
M&A
Timothy Speelman
Alcadon Group
Acquirer
CWS International, an integrated system provider offering products and services in the areas of Hygiene, Floor Care, Workwear, Fire Safety, Cleanrooms and Healthcare. - Restructuring
2021-04-20
AKD
Belgium
Restructuring
Timothy Speelman
CWS International, an integrated system provider offering products and services in the areas of Hygiene, Floor Care, Workwear, Fire Safety, Cleanrooms and Healthcare.
Insolvent entity
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