Crowell & Moring Brussels

🌟 Empowering the next generation of legal professionals 🌟   Last week, we hosted our annual CV Workshop – Diversity and Inclusion Edition, bringing together students from different universities. Our co-managing partner, Kristof Roox, kicked things off by sharing his inspiring journey to a thriving legal career and by providing invaluable advice about what he has learnt on the way. Two of our summer interns, one of whom attended last year’s workshop, also shared their recent internship experiences.   The students and our lawyers then sat together in small groups for an interactive session where they discussed every participant’s CV, providing concrete and individual guidance on how to build and improve a CV. The students also learnt why internships are important and incredibly useful experiences that should not be missed.   A big thank you to all participants. It was inspiring to meet you and hear about your unique perspectives and talents. We hope that you found the session helpful and that we see you again soon – for example at the job fair at your university! 👋   #DiversityandInclusion #CareerWorkshop #EmpoweringStudents

The Belgian Competition Authority has imposed substantial fines amounting to EUR 47 million on three security companies—Seris, G4S, and Securitas—for serious cartel practices within the private security services sector from 2008 to 2020. These practices consisted of price-fixing, bid rigging, and no poach agreements. 🚨 This is the first time that the BCA has fined companies for a no poach arrangement. Read more in this client alert by Crowell's Thomas De Meese, Marieke Van Nieuwenborgh, and Cyriel Danneels ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eYQwqr_p #CompetitionLaw #Cartel #BelgianCompetitionAuthority #NoPoach

In a recent Trends Kanaal Z interview, Crowell’s Charlotte Stynen and Evelien Van Espen discuss Belgium’s updated class action law, which now enables investors to bring claims for breach of prospectus legislation – a shift that could streamline cases like the Arco situation. While this reform brings new possibilities, challenges remain. These include the lack of potential financial windfalls from taking on class actions in Belgium as a group representative. As Evelien notes "the Belgian class action will remain a paper tiger as long as the financial aspects are not better addressed." 📚 For a deeper dive into this topic, check out the book on Collective Actions in Belgium, released in September 2024: https://lnkd.in/ePR3MRqt The full interview, in Dutch, is available for subscribers via this link: https://lnkd.in/eAUVX4mb ©📸 Franky Verdickt #ClassActions #CollectiveActions #CollectiveRedress #BelgianLaw

🗽 Say Yes to the US On November 5, Crowell’s Sari Depreeuw will join a cutting-edge panel discussion on “Data, Digital, AI: A Transatlantic Perspective,” alongside Sarah Boone and Tom Van De Putte at the Flanders International Business Convention. This session is part of MEDVIA’s "Say Yes to the US" program and will be followed by a webinar on November 20, featuring Crowell’s Jacob Canter and Sari Depreeuw. 🌍 Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) is hosting the Flanders International Business Convention to bring together many sectors involved in trade across the border, offering opportunities for networking, B2B speed dating, and more. For more information on the panel discussion ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eFserxBS For more information on the convention ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eb9GzQ8S #SayYesToTheUS #AI #Data #DigitalInnovation

Patent Law Firm of the Year, it is! ✨ Last week, we were named Belgian “Patent Law Firm of the Year” at the Global IP Awards 2024, following in-depth research by World Trademark Review and IAM. This recognition underscores our dedication to providing outstanding patent contentious work, driven by a client-centered approach. We are very grateful for the collaboration with our colleagues and the trust of our clients, who motivate us every day. 🙏 Read more about the Global IP Awards here: https://lnkd.in/ejeQ8byc Congratulations to all nominees and winners! #globalipawards #patentlaw #intellectualproperty #awardseason #oopswediditagain

Cr♀well runs for the Cure! 🎗️ On Sunday, November 3rd, we are once again joining Think Pink’s Race for the Cure in Brussels, to raise awareness for breast cancer and support the vital work of organizations and hospitals in Belgium. 🏃🏽♀️ We invite you and your loved ones to join us in this meaningful cause. Let’s make a difference together, and go pink! For more information and to register: https://lnkd.in/eC4NtBdk #RFTC #rftc2024 #thinkpink #breastcancerawareness

The European Commission has published draft Guidelines on exclusionary abuses by dominant undertakings, which, if adopted, will mark the first major update in over 15 years regarding Article 102 TFEU. 📜⚖️ These Guidelines improve legal certainty but also increase reliance on rebuttable presumptions, shifting the burden of proof to dominant undertakings. Read more in this article by Karel Bourgeois, Karl Stas, Benjamin Geisel, and Ruben Debuf: https://lnkd.in/eYQwqr_p #abuseofdominance #competitionlaw #antitrust

New EU laws are coming into effect to stop unfair and unproved “green”, “environmental” and “social” claims which will impact the events industry. The Green Claims Directive is expected to be adopted in early 2025. 🌍 In this Event Confederation article, Marcus Navin-Jones summarises what these laws entail, how they will impact the event sector and what you can do to adequately prepare for them. The article is available in: ▶ Dutch: https://lnkd.in/eyYSKKAC ▶ French: https://lnkd.in/eWbE5fiR ▶ English: https://lnkd.in/eqPwVbfy #GreenClaimsDirective #Sustainability #Greenwashing

Does your company sell or manufacture products in the EU? Then you should prepare for the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (#PPWR). 🌍 As the EU moves toward adopting the new PPWR, internal compliance processes and procedures will likely need to be reviewed and revised to align with the new requirements. 💡 Products and raw materials will need to be reassessed vis-à-vis compliance, requiring engagement with companies up and down the supply-chains. Also, systems for reuse/refill policies and take-back schemes may need to be established or strengthened. Preparing early will help you avoid costly penalties, litigation, and potential reputational damage. Read more in this article by Marcus Navin-Jones and Ward Overlaet ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ehRPVYTP #Sustainability #EURegulations #Compliance #Packaging

🚀Are you a first-generation student or a student from a diverse background looking to kickstart a successful career? 🌟 Then we’ve got something for you: our CV workshop – Diversity & Inclusion Edition, on October 23 at 6:00 p.m, in Brussels! This workshop is specifically tailored to students from diverse backgrounds and pioneering students. We aim to show you that your cultural and linguistic richness, as well as your unique background, are powerful assets in your career journey – not obstacles! 💡 What you can expect: - Personal insights from individuals who have walked the walk - Tips & Tricks on crafting a standout resume. - Safe space for questions you’ve always wanted to ask, in a supportive and inclusive environment. After the workshop, there will be a reception offering you a chance to engage with our lawyers and connect with your peers. 👉 Learn more about what this workshop has to offer you here: https://lnkd.in/eWWGXBH6 #cv #workshop #diversity #inclusion #firstgeneration