25 Years. 25 Faces.

Clément shares his perspective by answering the question: 
What is the best thing about working with your team?

"The most interesting part about working with my team are the very different approaches to tackle the challenges we come across: one person will find a short and pragmatic answer, while the other may find an alternative yet interesting take to the same question, and all that in French, Dutch and English. Every matter is therefore an opportunity to learn something new from the people I collaborate with on a daily basis!"

Nancy reflects on Lydian's anniversary by answering the question:

What does it mean to you, personally, that Lydian turns 25 this year?

"For me personally, Lydian’s 25th anniversary is a meaningful milestone that reflects a journey I have been part of for many years. Having worked here for 25 years myself, I feel I have grown alongside the organisation. It represents stability, growth, and the collective efforts of many colleagues over time. What I value most is the evolution we have experienced together, along with the strong sense of commitment and collaboration that continues to define Lydian today."

Hugo reflects on a career highlight:

What is the moment in your Lydian career you are most proud of?

“I was most proud when I was awarded Insurance Litigator of the Year in London by Benchmark Litigation last year. The competition was fierce, with strong candidates from the UK, Germany, Ireland, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and other countries. I was able to win the award thanks to the outstanding performance of our whole Insurance Team at Lydian.

Winning this award showed that Lydian’s insurance practice is not only a leading practice in Belgium, as reflected by our consistent Tier 1 ranking for Insurance in The Legal 500, but is also recognised internationally. This is an achievement that is often reserved for major US or UK law firms.”

Hugo's story is a testament to what can be achieved through teamwork, expertise and a shared commitment to excellence.

Isabel gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her role by answering the question: "What does a typical day look like for you?"

"In all honesty, there’s really no such thing as a “typical” day in the life of a lawyer. Flexibility is the name of the game, and being ready to respond to last-minute changes has become second nature. But, if all goes according to plan, my day usually starts in the office (on sunny days, I enjoy cycling in, which is always a great way to kick things off). I catch up with the cleaning team, often chatting about football, before grabbing a coffee with Jurgen and then diving into my files.

My work is a mix of client team meetings and one-on-one conversations with juniors, where we review their file preparations and I provide feedback and suggestions. Managing and sharing knowledge is a big part of my role, so I make it a point to keep the Employment, Pensions & Benefits (EPB) team updated on new laws and recent case law developments. Occasionally, I get the chance to give a webinar, usually focusing on GDPR and HR, which I thoroughly enjoy. Collaboration with the HR team is also a regular feature, as we search for new talent eager to start or continue their journey in our EPB department.

At least once a week, I step into my teaching shoes at the University of Ghent, where I have the pleasure of guiding students passionate about employment law. This involves helping them navigate real cases, improve their negotiation and presentation skills, and refine their legal writing.

Evenings are reserved for quality time with my teenage daughter, enjoying dinner together, squeezing in a padel game with friends, or simply unwinding with a good book."

From client work and mentoring to teaching and lifelong learning, every day brings something different.

We're kicking off the series with Luc Germonpré, Senior Associate in our Corporate & Finance practice, who has been part of Lydian's journey since day one.
 
When asked, "What brought you to Lydian, and what has kept you here?", Luc answered:
 
"I have been part of our firm since its creation. At the time, I was one of the staff members at KPMG Tax & Legal, from which our firm emerged. Right from the start, I felt I was part of a team of driven and competent people who delivered high-quality work in a positive working atmosphere. Although the composition of the team has, of course, changed significantly since then, those qualities and that drive have always remained a hallmark of Lydian."