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Olivier Clevenbergh is a partner in the Corporate and M&A practice. He also handles dispute resolution matters.

He is currently the firm’s Managing Partner.

Olivier assists clients in dispositions and acquisitions of businesses (shares and assets), mergers and company restructurings, both nationally and internationally. He also has specific expertise in commercial contracts organizing forms of cooperation between companies, such as joint ventures and franchise agreements.

Olivier combines his transactional activity with a contentious practice covering the same areas. He therefore also represents clients in litigation, before the courts and in arbitration, in the field of corporate and contract law.

His dispute resolution activity relates in particular to post-acquisition claims (representations and warranties, price adjustment, earn-out, non-competition undertakings, etc.), conflicts between shareholders, pre-contractual liability and directors' duties and liability. He also provides advice in these areas.

Olivier is one of the few Belgian lawyers to be ranked by the legal directories for both his transactional and his litigation practice. Thanks to this combination, he is well equipped to protect his clients in a practical way when negotiating and drafting agreements and he is fully aware of the deals’ mechanics of acquisition transactions and shareholders' agreements when litigating.


Education

Olivier obtained his law degree from Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in 1989 and a specialised degree (Licence spéciale) in Economic Law from the same university in 1991.

Admissions

Olivier was admitted to the Brussels Bar in 1989 and to the Luxembourg Bar (List IV) in 2024. He was admitted as a solicitor of England and Wales in 1995.

Areas of expertise
Office

Brussels

Languages

French, Dutch, English

recommendations

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

Recognitions

Chambers Europe 2022 - Corporate and M&A

Clients say that they "are really happy with" Olivier Clevenbergh and emphasise his ability on commercial and corporate agreements. He is also highly experienced advising on restructuring and M&A transactions.

Who's Who Legal

Global Leader Corporate Governance 2022 and M&A 2022

Leaders League

Excellent in Corporate / M&A

Chambers Europe 2023 - Corporate and M&A

"Olivier Clevenbergh is a seasoned and efficient lawyer who is capable of providing reliable and creative solutions."

Chambers Europe 2023 - Dispute Resolution: Litigation

"Olivier Clevenbergh is intelligent, hands-on and pragmatic."


Legal 500 2023 - Dispute Resolution

‘On top of his technical and legal expertise, Olivier Clevenbergh works with his heart, behaves with humanity and can be very pragmatic.’

Legal 500 2022 - Corporate and M&A

‘We worked with Olivier Clevenbergh and Julie Lo Bue: very high quality services.’

Legal 500 2022 - Dispute Resolution

‘Olivier Clevenbergh and Sébastien Ryelandt are excellent lawyers.’

Chambers Europe 2021

Olivier Clevenbergh advises on acquisitions and is experienced in contentious M&A matters. One client comments that Clevenbergh is "very competent, rigorous, reliable and a good adviser." Another interviewee adds that Clevenbergh has "a fast understanding of the situation, is a good adviser and can take care of every part of the sale and discussion."


Olivier Clevenbergh represents clients in construction litigation, franchise agreement breaches and shareholder disputes. One interviewee attests that Clevenbergh is "very agreeable in negotiations, he is quite an all-rounder," adding that this "makes him a pragmatic and client-sensitive lawyer."


Legal 500 2021

‘We mainly work with Olivier Clevenbergh. What we appreciate in him is that he does not only advise on the legal issues but gives a broader guidance in the way we should make our deals, without being too intrusive.‘


‘Olivier Clevenbergh : availability; smartness in negotiation; human approach to complex litigations‘.

IFLR1000 2021

Highly Regarded: Olivier Clevenbergh

Chambers Europe 2020

Olivier Clevenbergh (Band 3) acts for shareholders and private equity funds on acquisitions, sales and structuring. A source notes: "He is a bright lawyer and has strong negotiation skills and a clear strategic vision." 

Legal 500 2019

Industry focus: Retail – Tier 1

Strelia has significant experience assisting retail sector clients with setting up and developing operations in Belgium. It acts for Carrefour on its Belgian franchise activities and advises the same client on various commercial contracts. The group is also assisting with Burger King's expansion in Belgium. Olivier Clevenbergh and Jean-Pierre Fierens are key names to note. Veritas and Point Carré are also clients.

Chambers Europe 2019

Clients appreciate that Olivier Clevenbergh has the "ability to provide clear guidance in complex matters," adding that he is "strong in establishing strategies, tough in negotiations and always remains pragmatic." He advises on a range of M&A transactions, often representing buyers.

Olivier Clevenbergh is reputed for his handling of corporate disputes and commercial contracts, as well as acting as counsel in Belgian arbitral tribunals. He advises on litigation relating to bankruptcies, franchising agreements and shareholder disputes.

 

Chambers Global 2018

Olivier Clevenbergh is described by sources as a "delight to deal with" and garners particular praise from clients for his responsiveness. He recently advised the shareholders of MS Découpe on the sale of 100% of the company's share capital to Simpson Strong Tie and has notable experience handling corporate litigation.

Olivier Clevenbergh handles commercial contracts and M&A disputes and acts as counsel in Belgian arbitration tribunals. Sources view him as a "terrific litigator" with impressive experience and a focus on distribution law litigation.


Chambers Europe 2017

Olivier Clevenbergh is "an absolutely outstanding corporate lawyer and a very nice person as well," say sources. He primarily acts on private equity and M&A transactions as well as corporate governance issues and he recently advised ING on its acquisition of Qustomer.


Olivier Clevenbergh focuses particularly on shareholder and franchising disputes. Sources say he "will fight hard, he's tough," adding that he is a "very good commercial litigator." He has recently been advising Carrefour on several disputes with its Belgian franchisees.


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