Lawyers
- August Desmedt
- Tom Dael
- Claudia Van De Velde
- Kris Luyckx
- Liesbeth Loos
- Tom Hermans
- Véronique Behiels
- Sylvie Doggen
- Laurens Van Landeghem
- Natasja De Hondt
- Xavier Potvin
- Bart Verbelen
- Sven Eggermont
- An Billen
- Keoma Hendrickx
- Nina Verbrugge
August Desmedt
Experience
August Desmedt, LL.M., has more than 40 years of experience in the legal profession and has handled more than 10,000 cases. He is a passionate horse lover.
Training
- Educational Sciences K.U. Leuven 1969
- Master of Laws K.U. Leuven 1972
Lawyer since 1973
- Trainee and employee at the law firm F. Bastaens
- Set up Advocatenkantoor Desdalex in 1996
Registrations
- Antwerp Bar 1973
- Turnhout Bar 2002
Preferred subject areas
- Family and family property law
- Contracts and business law
- Agricultural law
- Equestrian law
Languages
- Dutch
- French
- English
- German
Tom Dael
Experience
During his practice of 25 years, Tom Dael has specialised particularly in cases concerning traffic accidents, civil liability, neighbourhood nuisance, damages and construction law.
Training
- Master of Laws K.U. Leuven 1989
- Evaluation of human damage K.U. Leuven 1996-97
- Post-academic training Juvenile Justice U.I. Antwerpen 2002-03
Lawyer since 1989
- Trainee and employee at the law firm August Desmedt
- Partner in Advocatenkantoor Desdalex
Registrations
- Antwerp Bar since 1989
Preferred subject areas
- Liability law
- Traffic law
- Law of construction contracts
Languages
- Dutch
- French
- English
Claudia Van De Velde
Experience
Claudia Van de Velde started as a lawyer at the bar in 1991 and has since built up very broad experience in family law and family property law.
She assists clients in finding a mediated solution and with proceedings in the courts.
As the former Chair of the Antwerp ‘Conferentie’, she is closely involved with the Antwerp Bar.
She is currently a member of the Antwerp Bar Council and was appointed a Deputy Justice of the Peace in 2013.
In March 2015, she was selected as an “expert in family law” for inclusion in the database of female experts at the VRT (Flemish Radio and Television).
Training
- Master of Laws K.U. Leuven 1991
Lawyer since 1991
- Partner in Advocatenkantoor Desdalex
Registrations
- 1991-1999: Mechelen bar
- 1999-present: Antwerp Bar
Preferred subject areas
- Family law
- Family property law
- Real estate
Languages
- Dutch
- French
- English
Kris Luyckx
Experience
His passion for criminal law and skill in pleading criminal cases and cases at the Assize Court developed during his trainee period. He has often acted in heavily reported criminal cases, among other things as the lawyer for the Oulematou family in the Van Themsche case before the Antwerp Assize Court.
As a leading light in the flourishing criminal law department at our firm, he can guarantee correct and rapid processing of financial, fiscal and economic and social law-related cases.
Kris Luyckx is a member of the criminal law commission at the Antwerp Bar Association.
He also acts as the chair of the council for economic research regarding foreigners in Brussels.
Training
- Master of Laws University of Antwerp 1994
Lawyer since 1994
- Trainee and employee at the law firm August Desmedt
- Partner in Advocatenkantoor Desdalex
Registrations
- Antwerp Bar since 1994
Preferred subject areas
- Criminal law
- Financial and banking law
Languages
- Dutch
- French
- English
Liesbeth Loos
Experience
Liesbeth Loos graduated as Master of Laws from the University of Antwerp in 1995. In 2001 she took a Master’s in Business Law from the same university.
She joined the bar in 1995.
Liesbeth Loos concentrates primarily on the broad fields of property (the law as it applies to contracting, construction, and so on) and commercial law. Her work includes giving opinions, consulting, drafting contracts, and representing clients before the courts and in arbitration.
She sets great store by working closely with her clients in a transparent relationship and will always try to achieve the desired result using the most direct method possible, for example by mediation or by instituting proceedings and always with the best interests of her client in mind.
Her practice is such that she now acts as counsel for several leading players in the property and development market.
Education
- Master of Laws
University of Antwerp (UA) 1995 - Fundamental specialist study of entrepreneurial law (Master of Business Law)
University of Antwerp (UA) 2001
Lawyer since 1995
- Lawyer – Corbus Advocaten
- Lawyer – Advocatenkantoor Desdalex
Registrations
- 1995 – 1999 at the Bar in Mechelen
- 1999 – to the present at the Bar in Antwerp
Preferred subject areas
- Property
- Commercial Law
Languages
- Dutch
- English
- French
Membership
- UPSI – BVS – Association of Real Estate Professionals
- Member of the administrative council of the Bar Association: 2015-2016
- Chairman of the Internship Commission: 2015-2016
- Head of the Criminal Law Section in the Office for Legal Aid: since 2016.
Tom Hermans
EXPERIENCE
During his three-year traineeship, Tom Hermans enjoyed the broadest possible training, in which he became familiar with the various branches of the law as well as various aspects of the legal profession. Although a good lawyer is by definition a generalist, Tom Hermans has mainly concentrated on commercial and company law. He also has a liking for bankruptcy law.
With continuing self-study and by attending lectures and study days, he keeps abreast of recent legislation, case law and legal doctrine in order to be able to advise and assist clients as much as he can.
After finishing his training, Tom Hermans was admitted to the roll of lawyers. In July 2004, he joined our firm as a lawyer-employee, where he put his legal knowledge and experience to good use and further expanded on this.
Since 2005, he has been admitted to the list of trustees in bankruptcy and he was appointed by the District Court as a liquidator and provisional administrator of companies.
TRAINING
- Master of Laws K.U. Leuven 1995-2000
- Trustee in bankruptcy since 2005
LAWYER SINCE 2000
- Partner in Advocatenkantoor Desdalex
REGISTRATIONS
- Antwerp Bar since 2000
- Admitted to the roll of lawyers since 2003
PREFERRED SUBJECT AREAS
- Commercial and economic law
- Company law
- Insolvency law
- Competition law
- Banking and credit law
- Consumer law
LANGUAGES
- Dutch
- English
- French
Véronique Behiels
Experience
Since September 2004, Véronique Behiels has been a lawyer-associate at the Desdalex law firm and specialises in personal and family law, youth law and family property law.
She took a course in special youth law and has been a permanent member of the Juvenile Court of Antwerp since 2010.
Training
- Master of Laws UIA 2001
- Training in special juvenile justice 2010
Lawyer since 2001
- Trainee and employee at Advocatenkantoor Desdalex
Registration
- Antwerp Bar 2001
Preferred subject areas
- Personal and family law
- Youth law
- Family property law
Languages
- Dutch
- French
- English
Sylvie Doggen
Experience
Sylvie Doggen started her professional career in 1997 in the private sector, to be precise at one of the then Big Six international audit firms.
In 2002, she decided to change course and joined the Antwerp Bar.
She did her training at the Roosendaal-Keyzer law firm.
In 2005, she joined the Desdalex office, where she is mainly involved in the area of real estate (construction, letting, spatial planning, etc.) as a lawyer-employee.
Training
- Master of Laws K.U. Leuven 1996
- Postgraduate training in Business Economics VLEKHO 1996-97
- Postgraduate training Tax Law U.I. Antwerpen 1997-99
Lawyer since 2002
- Training at Roosendaal-Keyzer law firm
- Employee at Advocatenkantoor Desdalex
Registrations
- Antwerp Bar since 2002
Preferred subject areas
- Immovable property – real estate
- Letting and commercial leases
- Law of construction contracts – Construction law
- Urban planning and spatial planning
- General law of obligations
Languages
- Dutch
- English
- French
- Spanish
Laurens Van Landeghem
Experience
Laurens Van Landeghem undertook legal studies at the University of Antwerp. In June 2008, he completed his studies as a master of laws with distinction.
He then started training at the Antwerp Bar and received a broad training for five years.
On 1 October 2011, he was admitted to the Roll of Lawyers.
In 2013, he obtained a certificate following postgraduate training as a trustee in bankruptcy-liquidator (K.U. Leuven/University of Antwerp).
In June 2013, he joined the office as an employee, where as a lawyer he mainly deals with business law in a broad sense, with a distinct focus on commercial and company law. In addition, he also deals with construction and insolvency law.
Training
- Master of Laws University of Antwerp 2008
- Postgraduate training as trustee in bankruptcy-liquidator K.U. Leuven/University of Antwerp 2013
Registrations
- Antwerp Bar since 2008
Preferred subject areas
- Insolvency and bankruptcy law
- Company law
- Commercial law
- Law of construction contracts – Construction law
Languages
- Dutch
- English
- French
Natasja De Hondt
Experience
Natasja De Hondt is active in personal and family law and in family property law.
The journal for Juvenile Justice and Children’s Rights has published her article “Time-out after child abuse by placing the abuser outside the home”.
Training
- Master of Laws University of Antwerp 2008
Lawyer since 2008
Registrations
- Antwerp Bar since 2008
Preferred subject areas
- Family law
- Family property law
Languages
- Dutch
- French
- English
Xavier Potvin
Experience
Xavier Potvin started his career in an office specialising in construction law. After a few years, he joined the Desdalex team and concentrated on his great passion: criminal law. Xavier Potvin has mastered several branches of the law and brings great devotion to all the cases he deals with.
Training
- Master of Laws University of Antwerp 2009
Lawyer since 2009
- Trainee at Questa law firm
- Employee at Advocatenkantoor Desdalex since 2013
Registrations
- Antwerp Bar since 2009
Preferred subject areas
- Criminal law
- Sports law
Languages
- Dutch
- French
- English
Specific training
- Salduz training
- Cassation training
Bart Verbelen
Experience
Bart Verbelen has already dealt with various large cases both in Belgium and abroad during his career as a lawyer. His passion for criminal law expresses itself in a thorough and consistent approach to every case.
Training
- 2015: Cassation in criminal cases and holder of the certificate
- 2011: Salduz training
- 2010-2011: LL.M. International Humanitarian Law
- Thesis: The practice of “proofing” in international criminal courts
- Academy of international humanitarian law and human rights of Geneva
- 2009-2010: Research Masters “Criminal law and criminal politics in Europe”, comparative law option, distinction
-
- Thesis: The oral nature of debates in the Assize Court: comparative study of law in France and Belgium (Original title: “L’oralité des débats devant la Cour d’assises”), distinction
- University of Panthéon-Sorbonne Paris
- 2007-2009: Masters in Jurisprudence, distinction
-
- Major: criminal law, Minor: private law
- Thesis: Prison sentences are unsuitable for white-collar criminals
- K.U. Leuven
- 2004-2007 BA in Jurisprudence, distinction
-
- K.U. Leuven
Lawyer since 2011
- Trainee and employee at Advocatenkantoor Desdalex
Preferred subject areas
- Criminal and criminal procedural law
- International and European criminal law
- Traffic law
- Liability law
Publications
- 2015: Amicable recovery of consumer debts, Act of 20 December 2002: assessing protection and unworkable strictness, in NJW no. 327 of 30/9/2015.
- 2011: Thesis: The practice of “proofing” in international criminal courts, in the library of the “Institute of advanced international studies and development” in Geneva.
- 2010: Thesis: “The oral nature of debates in the Assize Court: comparative study of law in France and Belgium” (Original title: “L’oralité des débats devant la Cour d’assises”) in the library of the University of Panthéon-Sorbonne.
Languages
- Dutch
- French
- English
Sven Eggermont
Experience
Sven Eggermont completed his studies as a Master of Laws with great distinction in 2008 (University of Antwerp). In 2015, he became a Doctor of Laws (University of Antwerp) based on a dissertation on the legal protection of private relationships.
Since 2013, Sven has been a lawyer associated with the Antwerp Bar. He concentrates on personal law, family and family property law and family procedural law, both national and international.
In the 2015-16 academic year, Sven Eggermont was appointed a visiting professor at the University of Ghent, where he teaches the fundamental study of personal and family law. He is also attached as a lecturer to Odisee (Brussels), where he has been teaching the subject of family law in the Family Sciences course since the academic year 2012-13.
Sven Eggermont is a member of the editorial board of Tijdschrift voor Familierecht (The Journal of Family Law), the author of numerous publications and regularly gives talks on subjects within the wider area of family law.
Training
- Master of Laws University of Antwerp
- Doctor of Laws University of Antwerp
Lawyer since 2013
Registration
- Antwerp Bar 2013
Preferred subject areas
- Law of persons
- Family law
- Family property law
- Real estate and apartment law
Languages
- Dutch
- English
- French
Publications
You can see Sven Eggermont’s publications here: List publications
An Billen
Experience
Under the guidance of her supervisor, Tom Dael, and August Desmedt, LL.M., she is mainly studying family law and family property law during her training.
Training
- Master of Laws University of Antwerp 2012
- Master of Notarial Law University of Ghent 2013
Lawyer since 2013
- Training under direction of lawyer Tom Dael.
Registrations
- Antwerp Bar since 2013
Preferred subject areas
- Family property law
- Family law
- Notarial law
- Agricultural law
Languages
- Dutch
- English
- French
Keoma Hendrickx
Experience
After Keoma Hendrickx gained her Master’s degree in law at the University of Antwerp, she continued her academic career with a postgraduate in tax law. She gained her Master’s degree in tax law in 2014.
In October 2014, she was sworn in at the Antwerp Bar.
Under the guidance of her mentor, Tom Hermans, she is studying all aspects of the law, but mainly commercial and company law and bankruptcy law, during her training.
Training
- Master of Laws University of Antwerp 2008-2013
- Postgraduate in Tax Law University of Antwerp 2013-2014
Lawyer since 2014
- Training under the direction of lawyer Tom Hermans
Registrations
- Antwerp Bar since 2014
Preferred subject areas
- Commercial and economic law
- Company law
- Insolvency law
Languages
- Dutch
- French
- English
Nina Verbrugge
Experience
Nina Verbrugge started her traineeship in the legal profession in 2014 under the guidance of her supervisor, Tom Dael.
She is studying various aspects of law during her traineeship, with the emphasis on civil liability, traffic law and the general law of liability.
Training
- Master of Laws University of Antwerp 2014
Lawyer since 2014
- Trainee at Advocatenkantoor Desdalex
Registrations
- Antwerp Bar since 2014
Preferred subject areas
- Liability law
- Traffic law
- General law of obligations
- Letting and commercial leases
Languages
- Dutch
- English
- French