STUDIO | LEGALE was founded in 2009 and is a young and dynamic law firm with a single objective: to assist you quickly and pragmatically in your legal affairs.
STUDIO | LEGALE is a legal ONE STOP SHOP, with various specialists under the same roof. Contrary to the current trend towards more niche law firms, STUDIO | LEGALE tries to be a FULL SERVICE law firm. You would want a confidential adviser for all your problems. Moreover, most problems extend over several legal domains.
STUDIO | LEGALE offers you a trustworthy lawyer of your choice who will be assisted by the other specialists of the firm, if necessary. This way, you do not have to meet and build a trustworthy relationship with new lawyers for each of your legal problems. We take care of all that.
At STUDIO | LEGALE there are currently 16 lawyers and 4 administrative staff at your disposal.
You can find us in Antwerp and in Brussels, at both locations near the palace of justice.
STUDIO | LEGALE represents very diverse clients: private individuals, SMEs, real estate giants and multinationals. Our office also assists governments, autonomous municipal enterprises, water companies and investment firms.
We have no doubt that we can help you.
Christian CLEMENT
Christian Clement completed his Law studies cum laude at the Universities of Antwerp (UFSIA and UIA). He studied for six months at the German Universität Trier in the context of an Erasmus project. He acquired his love for the oral plea in general and in criminal cases in particular during his internship. He also completed a Company Law post-graduate programme. In 2003 Christian CLEMENT continued his practice independently, which consisted for the most part of criminal proceedings. He already defended numerous cases for the Court of “Assisen” for offenders as well as for victims and their families. He is co-founder and associate of STUDIO | LEGALE. He is a member of the Criminal Law Committee as well as the Legal Aid Mixed Commission of the Flemish Bar Council. He is also a member of the Criminal Law Committee of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE). Christian CLEMENT is holder of the Special Training Certificate for Belgian Criminal Cassation Proceedings. He is a Supralat-tutor for providing assistance during police custody and police interrogations.
He fluently speaks and writes Dutch, French, English.
Lauren RAEYMAKERS
Lauren Raeymakers obtained her Master of Laws degree with distinction from the University of Antwerp (UA) in June 2022. During her studies, she developed a particular interest in criminal (procedure) law and labour law.
She wrote her master’s thesis on the decriminalisation of abortion.
In September 2022, she took her oath at the Antwerp Bar and joined STUDIO | LEGALE, where she will join the team of STUDIO | PENALE Criminal Lawyers.
Ms. Raeymakers will further immerse herself in criminal (procedure) law during her bar internship.
She speaks and writes Dutch, French and English fluently.
Nathan VAN KERSAVOND
Nathan Van Kersavond obtained his bachelor’s degree in Legal Practice with high distinction at the Karel de Grote University College in Antwerp in 2023.
His bachelor thesis dealt with the topic of illegally obtained evidence in criminal cases. During his final year, he completed a ten-week practical internship at STUDIO | LEGALE Lawyers.
Since September 2023, Nathan has been providing legal support to the criminal defense lawyers of STUDIO | PENALE Criminal Defense Lawyers within the firm’s main order. In addition to his work at STUDIO | LEGALE, he is following the Master of Laws bridging programme at the Free University of Brussels.
He is fluent in Dutch, French and English.
Laurie PEER
Laurie Peer was awarded a Master of Laws degree by the University of Antwerp (UA) in June 2014. During her studies, she developed an interest in Civil Law and Liability Law. In September 2014, Laurie Peer joined the Bar of Antwerp and joined the STUDIO | LEGALE team, where she further specialized in Liability, Insurance and Insolvency Law. She was awarded the certificate for the course of liquidator in bankruptcy proceedings in 2017 and she got a post-graduate in liability law and insurance law. She is a certified mediator in civil and commercial matters and followed a course in social affairs at the renowned bMediation (BBLC vzx and BCI) in 2020, which she successfully completed.
She fluently speaks and writes Dutch, French and English.
Lieselotte VRINTS
Lieselotte Vrints was awarded a Master of Laws degree cum laude by the University of Antwerp in 2015. She studied for one semester at the Université Capitole I in Toulouse (France) in the context of the Erasmus exchange program. In 2015 she was sworn in as a lawyer at the Bar of Antwerp and joined the STUDIO | LEGALE team. She has a broad interest in law in general, in particular Civil Law and Liability Law. She finished the course of liquidator in bankruptcy successfully and has obtained the certificate for Criminal Cassation proceedings. She is a certified mediator in civil and commercial matters and followed a course in social affairs at the renowned bMediation (BBLC vzx and BCI) in 2020, which she successfully completed.
She fluently speaks and writes Dutch, French and English.
Jolien APPELS
Jolien Appels was awarded a Masters of Law degree cum laude in June 2017 at the University of Antwerp. In the master program she mainly focused on civil and criminal law. While writing her master’s thesis on ‘the future of the irrevocability of the gift’, she immersed herself in family patrimonial law. As part of the Erasmus project she studied for one semester at the University of Uppsala in Sweden, allowing her to develop her skills in legal English. In October 2017 she was sworn in as a lawyer at the Bar of Mechelen. A year later she made the switch to the Antwerp Bar to join the STUDIO | LEGALE team, where she mainly operates in civil and corporate law.
She fluently speaks and writes Dutch, English and French.
Pauline VANHORENBEKE
Pauline Vanhorenbeke was awarded a Masters of Law degree in 2017 cum laude with the finalities of civil and criminal law at the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL). During her studies she specialised mainly in insurance law and health law. She also completed a master after master in social law at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). In June 2018, she was sworn in as a lawyer at the Bar of Antwerp and joined the team of STUDIO | LEGALE.
She fluently speaks and writes French, English and Dutch.
Ruben BROSENS
Ruben Brosens was awarded a Masters of Law degree in 2017 at the University of Antwerp (UA). During his general masters program, he developed an interest in company law, more specifically corporate law. Therefore he subsequently started and successfully completed the Master after Master in Corporate Law at the KU Leuven in 2018. On the third of September 2018 he was sworn in as a lawyer at the Antwerp bar and he joined the team of STUDIO | LEGALE.
He fluently speaks and writes Dutch, English, French; Additionally, he has a sound spoken and written knowledge of the German language.
Simon GEENS
Simon Geens was awarded his Master of Law degree at the University of Antwerp in 2019 Cum Laude. As part of the Erasmus program, he studied for one semester at the University of Mannheim and was awarded there the ‘European Master in Comparative, International and European Law (CIEL)’. During these studies, he mainly took courses in corporate law, with a particular interest in company law and insolvency law. In 2019 he was sworn in at the Antwerp Bar and joined STUDIO | LEGALE. In September 2019 he obtained the Data Protection Officer certificate at the Data Protection Institute.
He fluently speaks and writes Dutch, English and French. Additionally, he has a sound spoken and written knowledge of the German language.
Stephanie SCHLENKER
Stephanie Schlenker obtained her Master’s degree in Law cum laude at the University of Antwerp in 2019. During her master’s program she followed a major in corporate law and a minor in tax law. She developed a special interest in insolvency law. In September 2019 she was sworn in as a lawyer at the Bar of Antwerp. Since August 2020, she joined the team of STUDIO | LEGALE.
She fluently speaks and writes Dutch, English and French.
Roxanne SLEECKX
Roxanne Sleeckx obtained her Master of Laws degree at the University of Antwerp in 2020. During her studies, she developed a mature interest in law. During her master years, she followed a major in company law and a minor in international and European law. She also developed a special interest in liability law. In October 2020, she joined the Antwerp Bar and the team of STUDIO | LEGALE Advocaten where she mainly handles cases in the field of civil law and liability law.
She is fluent in Dutch, French and English.
Charline DUWEZ
Charline Duwez started her law studies at the University of Namur (Unamur) and obtained her Master of Laws degree at the University of Louvain-la-Neuve (UCL). During her studies, she mainly followed courses on European Law with a broad interest in intellectual property law and international trade. As a member of the “European Law Student’s Association”, she participated in a series of legal activities. In April 2021, she was sworn in as a lawyer at the Antwerp bar and joined the team of STUDIO | LEGALE lawyers.
She fluently speaks and writes French, English and Dutch.
Yannick LAUWERS
Yannick Lauwers obtained in 2021 his Master of Laws degree cum laude at the KU Leuven. During his studies, he majored in economic law and minored in private law. During this time, he developed a special interest in company and corporate law. In April 2021 he was sworn in as a lawyer at the Antwerp Bar and joined STUDIO | LEGALE Lawyers.
He fluently speaks and writes Dutch and English and get by in French.
Bjørg BOFFIN
Bjørg BOFFIN obtained her Master’s degree in Law at the University of Antwerp (UA) in 2021. During her master studies she followed a major in civil law and a minor in criminal law, with a special interest in liability law. In September 2021 she was sworn in as a lawyer at the Antwerp Bar and joined STUDIO | LEGALE where she mainly deals with cases concerning liability law and the collection of unpaid invoices.
She fluently speaks and writes Dutch, English and French.
From SMEs to flourishing multinationals: we can assist you at crucial times as well as during the daily running of your enterprise. We provide advice to starting entrepreneurs as well as assistance to established enterprises during their further growth. Our team has comprehensive expertise in drawing up a wide variety of commercial contracts and can further assist you with all possible negotiations and legal proceedings that you might be confronted with when ‘running a business’.
We can assist you from A to Z. Questions concerning choosing a type of company? Need assistance during the foundation stages? Do you require legal certainty during restructuring or an audit? Are you poised to take over a business? We can help.
Entrepreneurs and/or enterprises that are in difficulty can also rely on our assistance.
Protection of your intellectual property is of great importance for modern enterprises.
We provide you with assistance and advice during administrative proceedings.
We offer specialised preventative advice and assistance on this complex and constantly changing issue, for companies, authorities and private individuals, as well as during disputes concerning among others:
We offer specialised preventative advice and assistance on this complex and constantly changing issue, for companies, authorities and private individuals, as well as during disputes concerning among others:
We can help you with all your queries related to immovable property.
Whether you are the offender or the victim, a customised defence and approach will be provided. In addition to general Criminal Law, our specialists can assist you with the following:
European Arrest Warrant (EAW) and extradition;
interview by the Police and Investigating Judge (Salduzassistance);
pre-trial detention (your defence before the Court in Chambers and Indictment Division);
lodging a complaint (if necessary with appointment of an Investigating Judge who must investigate the offence independently);
If you or one of your loved ones and/or your company is the victim or a suspect in an offence committed abroad, or arrested in another country, we have an excellent network of foreign criminal law experts available to help.
Caught on camera while speeding? Wrongly issued a fine that you wish to dispute? Were you involved in a traffic accident and your insurance is threatening you with a contribution claim? Our Traffic Law specialists can provide you with accurate advice and assist you before the police court.
Everyone is confronted with liability issues at one time or another. One concept is key in this very broad area of law: damage. Those who suffer damage in the broadest sense of the word will search for the responsible party to acquire compensation. Our specialists will search with you.
We help you to enter into the right policy and with adressing the right insurer. We are active throughout the insurance world.
We can correctly and efficiently assist you in this branch of law, which often involves far-reaching financial consequences.
We offer legal and practical advice for all your legal employment problems. We can also draw up and provide assistance for contracts for self-employed persons, management positions, management companies, and such.
Our office deals firmly with defaulters. We handle the matter for you, from the first demand for payment until compulsory enforcement. Our extensive experience and quick action will considerably increase your chances of a positive result.
Acquiring a judgment is by no means the end of proceedings. The most important aspect must still be completed: cashing in on the granted claim. Our office is very familiar with the execution stage.
There are strict rules with regard to the sale of products and services by professional sellers to consumers. We would be pleased to defend you if you encounter problems following the purchase of a product or service.
Mediation is on the rise. Since the Act of 18 June 2018, the judge can order mediation at any stage of the proceedings on his own initiative or at the request of one of the parties. Courts are increasingly making use of this. The benefit of mediation is the confidential nature of the procedure, which benefits the reconciliation of the parties. The parties themselves work towards an acceptable solution for both parties. This significantly increases the prospect of future compliance with the agreement. We are pleased to assist you in the framework of a mediation proceeding. Studio Legale will assist you as lawyer of one of the parties in the context of a mediation. Currently three lawyers of our office are taking on a course to become a certified mediator.
It can be advisable to appoint an administrator when someone loses control over his/her actions. The administrator exercises a legal mandate, with the instructions to take care of the management of the goods of a protected person. It is of course of the utmost importance that this administrator executes his/ her duties with the necessary seriousness, reliability, humanity and independence. It is often advisable to appoint an independent administrator. Joost Peeters is an administrator and would be happy to handle this.
Are you already GDPR compliant?
Since 25 May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation, better known as the “GDPR”, is in force. The GDPR imposes extensive transparency and security obligations. The current management and security of the processed personal data in your organisation must be mapped. Perhaps you will be surprised by the amount of data you have acquired over the years, such as personnel, payroll administration, customers, suppliers, camera surveillance, GPS tracking, use of badges and so on.
Joost PEETERS (lawyer and partner at STUDIO | LEGALE) and Simon GEENS (lawyer at STUDIO | LEGALE), followed an intensive GDPR course and are now, after passing the exam, as from 30 April 2018 and 23 September 2019 respectively holder of the certificate of “Data Protection Officer” (“DPO”), issued by the Data Protection Institute. They guide entrepreneurs to implement the GDPR as efficiently as possible in the company structure.
In order to meet the transparency obligations, records of processing activities, processing agreements, policies and confidentiality agreements have to be drawn up, among other things. You can always count on us for this.
The data must also be protected in practice. In order to optimally integrate the legislation in the company, STUDIO | LEGALE works together with STUDIO | SECURO who will screen the security of the company and display the risks of data leaks in a clear report.
Do you wonder to what extent you are compliant with the GDPR? We are always at your disposal for a first introductory meeting, during which we will briefly explain the core principles of the legislation and the consequences of the GDPR for your company.
From BVBA to BV
Does your company framework change?
By law of March 23th 2019 consindering the implemention of the new Code of Companies and associations (“WVV”) the “Besloten Vennootschap”, i.e. the “BV” was introduced in Belgian company law. This new company format provides enormous flexibility and offers a range of modalities in terms of management, voting rights and transfer of shares. Founders can fully adapt the articles of association of the BV to the needs of the company and its shareholders. The law provides for a transitory regime consisting of three dates: 01.05.2019, 01.01.2020 and 01.01.2024.
Although you only have to adapt your articles of association at the first amendment of the articles of association or at the latest on 01.01.2024, it is nevertheless advisable to do so as soon as possible. The provisions of the articles of association that are in conflict with mandatory provisions of the WVV are deemed to be non-written. Furthermore, the new WVV offers the freedom to form your company in the flexible BV entirely according to your needs. Now is the time to review and evaluate your company’s articles of association.
STUDIO | LEGALE staat tal van bedrijven en particulieren bij in allerlei domeinen van het recht.
Bij STUDIO | LEGALE is er een zeer interessante kruisbestuiving tussen de verschillende rechtstakken dewelke zeker ook voor u interessant kan zijn.
Wij hebben zeer specifieke en interessante competenties, zoals niet-limitatief: (internationaal) strafrecht, bijzonder strafrecht, faillissementsrecht, gerechtelijke reorganisatie, bewindvoering, handelsen economisch recht, aansprakelijkheidsrecht, bouwrecht, huurrecht…
Met dit multidisciplinair team kunnen wij u op gedegen wijze juridisch bijstaan.
STUDIO | LEGALE investeert in haar mensen.
De advocaten van STUDIO | LEGALE zijn zeer gedreven advocaten.
Wij kunnen u garanderen dat elk dossier dat bij ons wordt binnen gebracht persoonlijk door één van onze advocaten zal worden gepleit!
Er zullen telkens 2 mensen worden toegewezen aan uw dossier zodat u altijd een contactpersoon kan bereiken.
Er kijken dus steeds 4 ogen naar elk document (zgn. 4-eyes review).
The office is open continuously and can be reached by phone from 8:00 – 19:00.
STUDIO | LEGALE works 100% digital with the BASENET CRM system (e-mails, files and diaries can be consulted at a glance both in the office and out of the office via the BASENET mobile application), as well as 100% GDPR-proof and secure. Joost PEETERS is also DPO (GDPR) himself.
We aim to be a hypermodern office, but also a very traditional one. This ensures that “the best of both worlds” is brought together.
We offer something for everyone, tailored to the needs of the clients. Our aim is to solve everything as quickly and efficiently as possible, whereby the wishes of our clients are of paramount importance.
STUDIO | LEGALE onderschrijft de volgende kernwaarden: dichtbij, ondernemend, pragmatisch en eenvoudig.
Wij zijn fier op ons nieuw kantoor (in gebruik sinds 15/07/2019) gelegen op de Haantjeslei 69/A, 2018 ANTWERPEN.
Ook in Brussel (Avenue Arianelaan 31, 1200 BRUSSEL) hebben wij een eigen kantoor waar we cliënten kunnen ontvangen.
De recente tsunami aan nieuwe wetten verplicht ons sowieso om ons permanent bij te scholen.
Daarbovenop maken wij graag updates over allerhande topics en verdiepen wij ons steeds in allerlei aspecten van het recht.
U kan onze bijdragen lezen op onze website (www.studio-legale.be), via LinkedIn of via Facebook Daarnaast zijn wij trotse auteurs op JUBEL (www.jubel.be).
Wij geven ook graag interne en externe opleidingen en webinars.
Doordat we compleet digitaal (zie boven punt 4), jong en gedreven zijn, proberen wij zeer snelle reactietijden te respecteren.
Er zijn geen slapende dossiers en alles wordt zo spoedig mogelijk en zo efficiënt mogelijk aangepakt.
U geeft aan hoe u wil communiceren.
Wenst u alles per mail, dan kan dit. Wenst u een persoonlijk onderhoud en daarna alles per post, dan kan dit.
Wij noteren deze afspraken en communiceren volgens uw wensen.
STUDIO | LEGALE beoogt een zo efficiënt mogelijk resultaat. Soms is een goede overeenkomst beter dan een slecht proces. STUDIO | LEGALE telt 3 advocaten die de opleiding bemiddeling in burgelijke en handelszaken en sociale zaken hebben gevolgd. Joost PEETERS is collaboratief advocaat.
Wij trachten steeds minnelijk op te lossen. Lukt dit niet, dan trachten wij een zo goed mogelijk resultaat in de Rechtbank af te dwingen.
Steeds houden wij uw belangen en het concrete, beste en snelste te bereiken resultaat voor ogen.
De service van STUDIO | LEGALE eindigt niet aan de landsgrens.
STUDIO | LEGALE wil een full service kantoor zijn. Onze service eindigt daarom niet aan de Belgische landsgrenzen.
www.studio-legale.be
STUDIO | LEGALE werd recent geselecteerd door EuroCollectNet Lawyers om als exclusief lid in België dossiers omtrent internationale invorderingen en debiteuren te behandelen.
www.eurocollectnet.com
IR GLOBAL heeft STUDIO | LEGALE als exclusief Belgisch advocatenkantoor voor:
STUDIO|LEGALE werd geselecteerd door The Lawyer Network op basis van haar expertise als exclusief advocatenkantoor voor België op het vlak van verzekeringsrecht. STUDIO | LEGALE is dan ook actief op dit netwerk o.m. via haar meertalige publicaties.
www.thelawyer-network.com
STUDIO | LEGALE werd recent geselecteerd als winnaar van de 2020 Corporate Intl Magazine Global Award in de vakgebieden van het Verzekeringsrecht, Incasso en GDPR. De officiële prijsuitreiking vond plaats in 2020. Daarnaast werd ook de ervaring van STUDIO | LEGALE wat betreft M&A erkend in de publicatie.
www.corp-intl.com
STUDIO | LEGALE werd opgenomen in het Global Law experts Handbook 2020 omwille van haar expertise op het vlak van Incasso, Verzekeringsrecht , GDPR en M&A.
www.globallawexperts.com
STUDIO | LEGALE werd geselecteerd door Leaders in Law als winnaar voor Belgische Verzekeringsrechtexpert van het jaar. In begin 2020 vond de officiële prijsuitreiking plaats en zal STUDIO | LEGALE deel uitmaken van de Leaders in Law – 2020 Global Awards publicatie omwille van haar expertise op gebied van:
Via haar lidmaatschap van EuroCollectNet, is STUDIO | LEGALE tevens lid van het General Bar Legal Network met verwijzing naar meerdere vakgebieden, waaronder:
