Rankings Employment

Chambers and partners – Chambers Europe

Within Employment, Lydian is ranked in Band 2. Jan Hofkens is ranked in Band 1 and Alexander Vandenbergen is ranked in Band 2.

What the team is known for Lydian offers clients a broad range of assistance with employment law matters, including advising on compliance with remuneration legislation and pensions regulations. The law firm advises on collective dismissals and individual terminations, as well as the transfer of employees between jurisdictions. The team has notable experience representing clients in discrimination complaints and in social plan disputes. Additionally, team members represent clients in negotiations around collective bargaining agreements.

Strengths An interviewee describes the team as "responsive, to the point, proactive and helpful."
A client believes that Lydian's lawyers "are capable not only of giving the right advice but also use diplomacy to ensure different parties agree with each other and find the optimal solution for the general interest."

Work highlights Advised Scandinavian Tobacco Group on the integration of two Dutch factories and two Belgian factories necessitating the closure of the Dutch factories and the reorganisation of the Belgian factories.

Chambers Europe states:

Alexander Vandenbergen has a particular focus on pensions law matters. An interviewee reports that he is "very good at simplifying and translating Belgian concepts and communicates them in a way we can understand." Alexander Vandenbergen also assists clients with issues around collective bargaining agreements, the transfer of employees and discrimination complaints.

Jan Hofkens enters the top band of the rankings this year on the back of positive feedback, with one interviewee calling him a "complete lawyer, who is good technically but also hands-on and makes deals." Jan Hofkens represents clients in discrimination complaints and social plan disputes, as well as advising on the transfer and termination of employees. He also advises clients on compliance with remuneration regulations.

Legal 500

Within Employment, Lydian is ranked in Tier 2. Jan Hofkens and Alexander Vandenbergen remain ranked in the Hall of Fame. Kato Aerts remains a Rising Star. Jurgen De Vreese and Isabel Plets are mentioned. 

Working across offices in Brussels and Antwerp, Lydian‘s ‘knowledgeable, reactive and client-focused’ team routinely assists numerous blue-chip multinationals on the full gamut of employment law work. Restructurings, pensions, and forensic investigations – including workplace accidents – are all key workflows for the practice, in addition to acquisition integration issues and cross-border terminations. Alexander Vandenbergen heads up the team’s pensions and benefits offering, concentrating chiefly on major corporate reorganisations and executive compensation negotiations in the financial services sector. Jan Hofkens focuses on collective bargaining proceedings, outsourcing projects, and severance package issues. Jurgen De Vreese , Isabel Plets  and counsel Kato Aerts are also noted.

Testimonials from peers and/or clients

Very personal and highly responsive follow up of my case. Advice built on a deep understanding of the particularities of my situation.’

‘The team is very knowledgeable, reactive and client-focused. It is always a pleasure working with them.’

‘It is a multidisciplinary office affiliated with various international networks, ideal to help clients with cases related to different branches of law and cross-border aspects. The office offers the client a SPOC (with back-up) who puts the client in touch with the specialised department. The periods within which the client wishes to be advised, even if very urgent, are always respected.’

Who's Who Legal

Jan Hofkens and Alexander Vandenbergen are Thought Leaders in Labour & Employment edition of 2021. Alexander is Global Leader in the Pensions & Benefits global guides of 2020.

Expert Guide

Jan Hofkens and Alexander Vandenbergen are mentioned as Belgian experts in the Expert Guide Labour & Employment.