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Bérénice Wathelet

She/herCounsel
Full of energy, solution-oriented and hardworking with a real professional attitude. Bérénice's extensive experience and hands-on, no-nonsense approach will undoubtedly be highly valued, and I would recommend her to anyone.
Jean-Philippe Hay, head of legal, Securitas Belgium and Luxembourg
About

Bérénice Wathelet is an experienced lawyer at the Brussels Bar. With over 15 years of practice in public and administrative law, she has honed her expertise, particularly in the field of public procurement. Bérénice represents clients before the Council of State and various courts and tribunals.

Her clients include both private developers and public institutions. Bérénice has a wealth of experience in public infrastructure projects such as student housing, public swimming pools, schools, hospitals, etc. She manages the full cycle of such projects, including the procurement phase, acquisition of the land/real estate, ground leases and construction contracts.

In addition to her legal practice, Bérénice actively contributes to the legal community. She conducts training courses, seminars, and conferences on public procurement for both contracting authorities and private companies. Her knowledge extends across various types of contracts, including public supply contracts, public service contracts, and all types of public works contracts.

Bérénice is a regular speaker at public events, namely organised by EBP and Vanden Broele, for professionals. In 2022, 2023 and 2024, she spoke at more than 20 occasions (including the National Tender Day (500+ participants) on very varied topics related to public law and public procurement, in Dutch, French and English. She is also regularly asked to give internal seminars for leading public organisations and listed companies (FPS Foreign Affairs, Belgian Defence, Proximus, etc.). 

At DLA Piper in Belgium, Bérénice leads the French-speaking part of the Public Law team and plays an important role in the development of the firm in the French-speaking parts of Belgium. This role allows her to offer these clients a tailored and comprehensive legal package based on a deep understanding of their specific nuances and intricacies. Whether it’s navigating local regulations, cultural considerations, or industry-specific requirements, Bérénice and her team are well-equipped to provide exceptional legal support.

Furthermore, Bérénice Wathelet is an accomplished author, having written numerous publications on public procurement. Her practical experience as a lawyer specializing in public procurement at the European Commission and her role as Deputy Director of the Urban Planning Department in the City of Brussels have shaped her pragmatic approach. She consistently emphasizes efficiency, innovation, and sustainability in her work.

Bérénice is perfect trilingual (FR-NL-EN), very solution-oriented and will always go the extra mile for you.

 
Professional QualificationsAvocat registered with the Ordre Francais des Avocats du Barreau de Bruxelles
Languages
  • French
  • Dutch
  • English
Education
  • Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Master of Arts: European Studies, cum laude, 2007
  • Université Catholique de Louvain – Louvain-la-Neuve, Master in Law, cum laude, 2006

Publications

  • MARTENS B., WATHELET B., LEBEDEVA T., « Procédures de passation dans les projets DBFM. Procédure concurrentielle avec négociation ou dialogue compétitif ? », Chronique des Marchés Publics, à paraître
  • WATHELET B., THÜNGEN R., C. BRISBOIS et A. MORLAND, « Mesures d’office : le droit privé cité en intervention », Chronique des Marchés Publics, Ed. 2022-2023, pp. 1112-1136
  • WATHELET B. et DRESSE G., « Commentaires de la loi du 8 février 2023 modifiant la loi du 17 juin 2016 relative aux marchés publics et la loi du 17 juin 2016 relative aux contrats de concession, en ce qui concerne la gouvernance », Bibliothèque digitale pour les services financiers des pouvoirs locaux, 2023
  • WATHELET B. et VOGLAIRE K, « Prix unitaires nuls : le moment est-il venu de remettre les compteurs à zéro ? », L’Entreprise et le Droit, Ed. 2/2022
  • WATHELET B., RIXHON M., DRESSE G., « L’impact de l’augmentation des prix à due à la crise économique actuelle sur la pratique des marchés publics », Institut des juristes d’entreprise, Septembre 2022
  • WATHELET B. et MORLAND A., « Plafonnement des accords-cadres : la Belgique manque-t-elle le cadre ? », L’Entreprise et le Droit, Ed. 3/2021, pp. 244-259
  • Public Law Review 2022, 28 December 2022
  • La passation d'un marché pour compte dans le cadre d'un marché public de travaux: retour d'expérience in Chronique des Marchés Publics, Ed. 2016-2017, pp 727-751
  • Le marché pour compte : retour d’expérience… un an après in Chronique des Marchés Publics, Ed. 2017-2018, pp. 344-347

Seminars

  • Various trainings on public procurement, by Proximus April-May 2024 (Private sector)
  • Marchés Publics Pharmaceutiques, 14/03/2024
  • Defence Tender Day, Recent case-law of the Council of State regarding the award of public procurement, by Belgian Defence 13/03/24 (Private sector)
  • Questions pour un champion des marchés public, Answering life various questions on public procurement with five other experts, by Vanden Broele 12/03/24 (Public sector)
  • Formation sur les actualités législatives et jurisprudentielles en matière de marchés publics pour l’Institut des juristes d’entreprise 07/03/24, Key lessons and trends in public procurement - Period: January 2023 - January 2024 (Private/Public sector)
  • National Tender Day, by EBP (Private/Public sector) – 19/10/23
    • recent case-law of the Council of State regarding the award of public procurement
    • the usefulness of certain private law concepts in the execution of public contracts
  • GDPR and public procurement, by FPS Foreign Affairs 15/12/23 (Public sector)

Prior Experience

  • 2017-2020, Executive Director at EBP
  • 2015-2017, Adjunct Director at City of Brussels
  • 2011-2015, Public Procurement Consultant at EBP
  • 2011, Lawyer at DLA Piper, Brussels
  • 2008-2011, Legal Advisor at European Commission

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Registered at the French-speaking Bar (Brussels)

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