Mr Roel Meers > Baker McKenzie BV/SRL > Brussels, Belgium > Lawyer Profile

Characterised by a combination of ‘high level of legal expertise’ and ‘deep specific sector experience’, the banking and finance and corporate finance team at Baker McKenzie BV/SRL is noted for its experience in the biotech and healthcare sectors. The capital markets offering, led by Roel Meers, stands out for its equity capital markets work, collaborating with colleagues internationally, while leveraged finance, real estate finance, and syndicated lending are key areas of strength for the banking and finance team headed up by Michael Van Acker. Within the banking and finance team, Joren Janseunne is particularly noted.

The corporate and M&A practice at Baker McKenzie BV/SRL is ‘experienced and pragmatic’, leveraging its international network to advise on cross-border M&A transactions. It combines ‘very strong life sciences industry knowledge‘ with longstanding experience supporting clients from the financial services sector. Team head Roel Meers ‘has become the authority for life science transactions‘ and chairs the industry group across the EMEA region. Koen Vanhaerents is sought after for his cross capabilities in the corporate and capital markets fields, while private equity matters are often handled by Dominique Maes. Corporate restructuring is a key part of Davinia Martens‘ practice, and along with Kim Stas, regularly advises on corporate governance and compliance matters.

Baker McKenzie BV/SRL‘s ‘amazingly talented, reliable, and professional‘ team leverages the firm’s European network of offices to support clients on a broad range of matters. Roel Meers is well versed in advising medtech and biotech clients on M&A and capital markets transactions, while Fiona Carlin assists pharma clients with the structuring of European distribution networks and supply chain matters. Els Janssens is ‘an exceptional expert in regulatory matters‘, and often acts for industry associations and pharma and medical devices sector entities in mandates. The trio co-head the practice.

The private equity team at Baker McKenzie BV/SRL is praised for its ‘deep knowledge of local private equity practices’, with standout fund formation expertise alongside buy-back experience as part of its full-scale private equity and venture capital offering. Roel Meers heads the team, a corporate finance expert with notable experience of the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Luc Meeus is noted for his ‘deep experience in fund structuring and PE-related M&A transactions’, often advising clients on the tax aspects of transactional work, while Koen Vanhaerents heads the global capital markets offering. Dominique Maes is ‘hands-on, direct, and very efficient’ in his work on domestic and international M&A transactions, and both Kristoff Cox and Kim Stas continue to be recommended.