A&O Shearman has an environment and regulatory law practice that ‘guarantees a personal, professional, hands-on approach‘ and is well versed in advisory, transactional and contentious matters. Its work spans enforcement actions, energy transition and ESG matters, planning and zoning projects, and advice on chemical regulation issues. Practice head Gauthier van Thuyne chiefly advises on environmental regulatory matters and represents clients in litigation proceedings, while the  ‘hardworking and responsive‘ Fee Goossens is highly respected by clients for handling complex public law matters, including advice on energy infrastructure projects.

Liedekerke's large regulatory practice handles a significant volume of high-profile environmental matters encompassing both advisory and contentious work. The practice is led by François Tulkens and Dominique Devos, who are well-versed in public law litigation and real estate matters and frequently advise public and private clients on on issues related to soil pollution, waste management, and nuclear regulations as well as on high-profile noise limitation and noise nuisance cases. Filip De Preter, who has ‘deep understanding of Flemish urban planning law‘, and Bert Van Herreweghe  also play key roles in the practice.

The environment and planning practice at Stibbe advises clients in Dutch, French and English on transactional matters as well as on the drafting of new legislation and on contentious issues. Practice head Jan Bouckaert recently represented The Farmers Union together with Guan Schaiko in a claim against the Flemish Region regarding the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027 strategic plan. Also key to the practice is senior real estate development lawyer France Maussion as well as a strong bench that includes the ‘very helpful, competent and experienced‘ Bastiaan Schelstraete as well as Stefanie Francois and Olivier Di Giacomo.

Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL fields a 'very highly skilled team with detailed knowledge' that is particularly active in contentious matters, including matters concerning noise, odour and particulate emissions. Experienced litigator Pascal Mallien and transactional real estate specialist Jean-François Vandenberghe in Brussels are key practitioners in the team. Mario Deketelaere is a key contact for regional, federal and European zoning and planning law.

DLA Piper‘s litigation and regulatory practice has a strong team of environmental law practitioners that is ‘capable of delivering high-quality work without losing sight of the solution the client wishes to achieve‘. Lead partner Bob Martens has a long track record in large-scale PPP projects, brownfield development projects and complex administrative law cases. Newly promoted partner Alec Van Vaerenbergh and Lieven Annaert also play key roles in the practice. Birgit Creemers and Fien Wuyts ‘know their practice very well and are able to translate this is practical solutions‘.

Eubelius has a solid offering in urban and environmental matters owing largely to the expertise of Barteld Schutyser and Bart Martel, who lead the public and administrative law group. Acting for a diverse range of clients, among them the Port of Antwerp and Belgian railway operator NMBS, the practice is praised for its knowledge of environmental litigation, with Martel notably advising waste agency OVAM on PFAS contamination proceedings against 3M permit disputes. The team also focuses on issues concerning zoning, soil, waste, asbestos, architectural heritage and more. Laura Janssens maintains close relationships with clients in the construction, infrastructure, and transport industries.

The ‘professional and committed‘ environment practice at Linklaters handles both transactional work and environmental litigation, advises on air, soil, waste and wastewater pollution matters, handles environmental permit issues, and provides regulatory advice in connection with offshore and onshore wind, biomass and solar projects. Practice had Lieve Swartenbroux, who is ‘very knowledgeable, experienced, reliable and responsive‘, and managing associate Melissa Verplancke are the key practitioners in the team.

Lydian fields ‘a young and dynamic team with a very proactive and can-do mentality‘ that is highly active in permitting, zoning and urban planning, contaminated properties and waste management matters and is well-regarded for its litigation and enforcement expertise, with a particular focus on urban planning and environmental infringement actions and environmental crime proceedings. Referral work from international firms is a key source of environment and planning work for the practice. Practice head Kyoto Van Herreweghe ‘thinks out of the box, and knows what clients need‘. ‘Knowledgeable, trustworthy and dedicated‘ real estate specialist Dario Petosa also plays a key role in major environmental matters.

The public and regulatory law group at NautaDutilh is ‘reactive and flexible when pressure is on and concrete answers needed‘. Lead partner Jens Mosselmans is a key adviser to heavy industry and energy companies. Newly promoted local partner and public procurement expert Maxime Vanderstraeten is ‘responsive, flexible, available and very knowledgeable‘. Stef Feyen has notable expertise in the energy and healthcare sectors, including specific knowledge of hydrogen law.

White & Case LLP's environmental law practice stands out for its focus on international and EU regulatory matters, which it handles for high-profile clients such as Eni, Daimler AG, and Nestlé Nespresso. Team lead and EU regulatory specialist Genevra Forwood has a broad practice that includes advising on public procurement and state aid with environmental objectives. Up-and-coming partner Sara Nordin handles sanctions, export controls, customs law and important regulatory matters, and litigation expert Alexandre Hublet chiefly handles contentious matters.

Monard Law‘s public law group offers ‘a very personal approach' and is headed up by partners Koen Geelen and Wouter Moonen, who are particularly well-known for their advice on environmental permits, urban planning, soil issues, and brownfield developments as well as for their ability to handle contentious matters. Sarah Jacobs, who focuses on urban planning matters, and Nick Parthoens, who frequently handles cases concerning solar energy legislation, play key roles in the practice.

Public law specialist firm Publius is ‘hands on, highly skilled and experienced‘ and is particular notable for its work on environmental permitting, though it handles a broad palette of work including due diligence, regulatory advice, and litigation. The lead partners are Dirk Van Heuven, Steve Ronse, Jan Beleyn, Sofie Logie, ‘exceptional talent‘ Meindert Gees, Merlijn De Rechter, and the newly promoted Leandra Decuyper.

PwC Legal has extensive experience in real estate matters and consequently handles significant environmental work, with clients praising the group’s ‘high expertise and knowledge of market practice‘. New hire and practice co-head Tom Villé, previously of Eubelius, ‘knows his cases really well and looks for solutions‘. His broad real estate knowledge complements the administrative, public, and real estate law expertise of practice co-head Els Empereur. Olivier Drooghmans frequently handles zoning, due diligence, and energy-related matters.

The environment group at Schoups, led by experienced specialists Kristof Hectors and Charles Poncelet, chiefly advises on planning, permitting, compliance, and litigation matters. The firm 'stands out for its combination of legal acumen, client-focused approach, and technological innovation‘. Céline Bimbenet is a key advisor on expropriation law, and Roel Meeus is another key member of the team.

Advocatenkantoor De Coninck is a boutique that handles infrastructure, real estate, energy and environmental projects. Clients report ‘a great team dealing with complex matters in a very time-efficient manner‘. Recently promoted Tinneke Hugyhe leads the practice with the vastly experienced Jeroen De Coninck, who is experienced with both public and civil law and chiefly advises on environmental enforcement matters.

Andersen continues to build its presence in the market, with the arrival of new practice co-head Jan Ghysels from Janson adding specialist skills in public and administrative law, real estate and white collar crime. Practice co-head Koen De Puydt, urban planning partner Jo Rams, who joined with Ghysels, and senior counsel Aline Heyrman, who specialises in government contract matters, form a practice that frequently acts for public authorities and private companies in a diverse range of sectors, among them technology and healthcare.

Janson maintains an experienced partner group in its public and administrative law department, with the ‘serious, trustworthy‘ Günther L’heureux having joined from Publius in 2023 to lead the practice alongside Dominique Lagasse. The firm frequently handles the environmental aspects of large infrastructure projects, as well as zoning and planning matters, permitting, and soil contamination issues. Jan Ghysels left the team in late 2022.

Simont Braun continues to build out its environmental law expertise in support of its real estate practice.  Manuela Von Kuegelgen leads a ‘diversely experienced and technically skilled team‘ that now includes Joris Beckers from Deloitte Legal, who has niche expertise in ESG regulations as they apply to the real estate sector. The firm handles project permitting and planning matters for a diverse range of clients, among them Brussels Environment and InBev Belgium.