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Olivier Clevenbergh is vennoot in de Corporate and M&A praktijkgroep. Hij behandelt ook geschillen.

Olivier Clevenbergh adviseert cliënten inzake M&A-transacties, private equity-investeringen, corporate governance en commerciële contracten. Hij vertegenwoordigt hen eveneens in vennootschapsrechtelijke en contractuele geschillen voor de rechtbanken, in arbitrage en in bemiddeling — een dubbele expertise die zijn cliënten bijzonder waarderen.

Zijn transactiepraktijk omvat binnenlandse en grensoverschrijdende overnames en cessies (aandelen en activa), fusies, herstructureringen van vennootschappen en private equity-transacties, zowel voor investeerders, managementteams als verkopende aandeelhouders. Hij beschikt eveneens over een specifieke expertise in commerciële contracten die de samenwerking tussen ondernemingen structureren, zoals joint ventures en franchiseovereenkomsten, en adviseert vennootschappen en hun aandeelhouders over de samenstelling en werking van de raad van bestuur, de verantwoordelijkheden van bestuurders en de naleving van governancecodes en -regelgeving.

Deze dubbele praktijk stelt cliënten in staat om te beschikken over één enkele raadgever die hun belangen beschermt in elke fase van een transactie — van het anticiperen op risico’s tijdens de onderhandeling en de redactie, tot het afdwingen of verdedigen van hun positie wanneer geschillen ontstaan. Zijn contentieuze werkzaamheden betreffen met name vorderingen na overname (verklaringen en garanties, prijsaanpassing, earn-out, niet-concurrentieverplichtingen, enz.), aandeelhoudersconflicten, geschillen in verband met private equity, precontractuele aansprakelijkheid en bestuurdersaansprakelijkheid.

Hij is een van de oprichtende vennoten van Strelia en bekleedt momenteel het voorzitterschap van het kantoor. Voortbouwend op deze advieservaring zetelt hij eveneens als onafhankelijk bestuurder of waarnemer in de raad van bestuur van verschillende vennootschappen. Olivier heeft daarnaast ook als advocaat in Londen en New York gewerkt.


Opleiding

Olivier behaalde zijn diploma in de rechten aan de Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in 1989 en een gespecialiseerd diploma in economisch recht aan dezelfde universiteit in 1991.

Toelating

Olivier werd ingeschreven aan de Balie van Brussel in 1989, als solicitor in Engeland en Wales in 1995 en aan de Balie van Luxemburg (Lijst IV) in 2024. 

Specialisaties
Kantoor

Brussel

Talen

Frans, Nederlands en Engels

recommendations

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

Recognitions

Chambers Global 2026

"Olivier Clevenbergh is an excellent lawyer with a clear understanding of our needs and global strategic vision."


"He is a lawyer who considers your opinion and is very happy to have a call to discuss any points. He tries to adapt to the people he works with."


"Olivier Clevenbergh is an excellent leader and pragmatic problem-solver."

Legal 500 2022 - Corporate and M&A

‘We worked with Olivier Clevenbergh and Julie Lo Bue: very high quality services.’

Legal 500 2022 - Dispute Resolution

‘Olivier Clevenbergh and Sébastien Ryelandt are excellent lawyers.’

Who's Who Legal

Global Leader Corporate Governance 2022 and M&A 2022

Leaders League

Excellent in Corporate / M&A

Chambers Europe 2022 - Corporate and M&A

Clients say that they "are really happy with" Olivier Clevenbergh and emphasise his ability on commercial and corporate agreements. He is also highly experienced advising on restructuring and M&A transactions.

Legal 500 2023 - Dispute Resolution

‘On top of his technical and legal expertise, Olivier Clevenbergh works with his heart, behaves with humanity and can be very pragmatic.’

Chambers Europe 2021

Olivier Clevenbergh advises on acquisitions and is experienced in contentious M&A matters. One client comments that Clevenbergh is "very competent, rigorous, reliable and a good adviser." Another interviewee adds that Clevenbergh has "a fast understanding of the situation, is a good adviser and can take care of every part of the sale and discussion."


Olivier Clevenbergh represents clients in construction litigation, franchise agreement breaches and shareholder disputes. One interviewee attests that Clevenbergh is "very agreeable in negotiations, he is quite an all-rounder," adding that this "makes him a pragmatic and client-sensitive lawyer."


Chambers Europe 2023 - Dispute Resolution: Litigation

"Olivier Clevenbergh is intelligent, hands-on and pragmatic."


Legal 500 2021

‘We mainly work with Olivier Clevenbergh. What we appreciate in him is that he does not only advise on the legal issues but gives a broader guidance in the way we should make our deals, without being too intrusive.‘


‘Olivier Clevenbergh : availability; smartness in negotiation; human approach to complex litigations‘.

Chambers Europe 2023 - Corporate and M&A

"Olivier Clevenbergh is a seasoned and efficient lawyer who is capable of providing reliable and creative solutions."

IFLR1000 2021

Highly Regarded: Olivier Clevenbergh

Chambers Europe 2020

Olivier Clevenbergh (Band 3) acts for shareholders and private equity funds on acquisitions, sales and structuring. A source notes: "He is a bright lawyer and has strong negotiation skills and a clear strategic vision." 

Legal 500 2019

Industry focus: Retail – Tier 1

Strelia has significant experience assisting retail sector clients with setting up and developing operations in Belgium. It acts for Carrefour on its Belgian franchise activities and advises the same client on various commercial contracts. The group is also assisting with Burger King's expansion in Belgium. Olivier Clevenbergh and Jean-Pierre Fierens are key names to note. Veritas and Point Carré are also clients.

Chambers Europe 2019

Clients appreciate that Olivier Clevenbergh has the "ability to provide clear guidance in complex matters," adding that he is "strong in establishing strategies, tough in negotiations and always remains pragmatic." He advises on a range of M&A transactions, often representing buyers.

Olivier Clevenbergh is reputed for his handling of corporate disputes and commercial contracts, as well as acting as counsel in Belgian arbitral tribunals. He advises on litigation relating to bankruptcies, franchising agreements and shareholder disputes.

 

Chambers Global 2018

Olivier Clevenbergh is described by sources as a "delight to deal with" and garners particular praise from clients for his responsiveness. He recently advised the shareholders of MS Découpe on the sale of 100% of the company's share capital to Simpson Strong Tie and has notable experience handling corporate litigation.

Olivier Clevenbergh handles commercial contracts and M&A disputes and acts as counsel in Belgian arbitration tribunals. Sources view him as a "terrific litigator" with impressive experience and a focus on distribution law litigation.


Chambers Europe 2017

Olivier Clevenbergh is "an absolutely outstanding corporate lawyer and a very nice person as well," say sources. He primarily acts on private equity and M&A transactions as well as corporate governance issues and he recently advised ING on its acquisition of Qustomer.


Olivier Clevenbergh focuses particularly on shareholder and franchising disputes. Sources say he "will fight hard, he's tough," adding that he is a "very good commercial litigator." He has recently been advising Carrefour on several disputes with its Belgian franchisees.


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