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.