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Michael Heene

Michael Heene

Partner
Michael Heene is very client oriented, listens to his client carefully and delivers exactly what was requested. He is responsive and very knowledgeable of his field.
— Client testimonial – Legal 500
AntwerpBrussels
About

Michael heads our Corporate team in Belgium. He practices in the field of corporate law, with a particular focus on cross-border public and private M&A, private equity, corporate venture capital, venture capital and equity capital markets.

His clients include financial institutions, corporates, family offices, multinationals, start-ups and private equity funds. Michael works across sector with a keen interest on technology, energy and industrials. 

He has advised on a significant number of acquisitions and divestments. He has particular expertise in structuring complex joint venture schemes.

Michael is a member of various legal associations in Belgium, a frequent speaker at Wolters Kluwer M&D Seminars on M&A, joint ventures and general company law.

Areas of FocusFinancial ServicesTechnologyCorporateMergers and AcquisitionsPrivate Equity
Professional QualificationsAdvocaat registered with the Orde van Advocaten te Antwerpen

EXPERIENCE

  • Assisted ArcelorMittal group on a EUR1,2bn capital increase in its joint venture with the Flemish Government to finance the decarbonization of ArcelorMittal Belgium; 
  • Advised Fluvius System Operator CV on an investment of EUR2bn in a joint venture with Telenet to evolve the hybrid fibre coaxial ("HFC") network infrastructure in Flanders and for the setup of the "data network of the future", including fibre-to-the-home technology;
  • Assisted Deme, a global leader in the dredging industry headquartered in Belgium, on the first investment round in Global Sea Resources (GSR) creating a joint venture with Transocean for deep sea mining (through a contribution of assets and liabilities and cash into GSR);
  • Assisted Renewi on several innovative joint venture projects;
  • Assisted Belfius Bank, a leading Belgian bank, on the sale of its IT division to IBM, the creation of a private portfolio management joint venture with Candriam and its investment in Skipr;
  • Advised KBC Group on the sale of Centea and Fidea, the acquisition of UBB, the set-up of We.Trade (a blockchain application co-developed by a consortium of European Banks), the creation of Payconiq (a joint venture between the 5 leading Belgian banks) and the investment in Joyn (together with ING Bank);
  • Assisted 777 partners a US private equity fund on its investment in various soccer clubs in Belgium, France and Denmark (Standard liege…);
  • Assisted Torqx Capital Partners on the acquisitions of Descroes, Fumico and Ocean Nutrition and the divestment of Intreso;
  • Assisted ForFarmers N.V. on the sale of 100% of its shares in ForFarmers Belgium BV to Arvesta;
  • Advised Miko Group on the sale of its global plastics division to Paccor;
  • Advised the shareholders of Imperbel NV on the sale of the Derbigum group, a Belgian manufacturer specialised in sustainable waterproof roofing for flat roofs, to Kingspan, a global leader in advanced insulation and innovative building solutions.
Languages
  • Dutch
  • English
  • French
Education
  • KU Leuven, Postgraduate Degree in Corporate Finance, Magna Cum Laude, 2011
  • Université Paris 1 - Panthéon - La Sorbonne - LL.M. de droit européen et de droit français, 2005
  • Ghent University, Master in Laws, Magna Cum Laude, 2004

Awards

Michael Heene has been ranked as a next generation partner since 2020 in The Legal 500 for Corporate, M&A and Commercial in Private Equity and he is a ranked Fintech lawyer.
 
  • "Michael Heene proved very competent in combining legal, strategic and tactical aspects of the transaction and its negotiation process. I was impressed by the cooperative, non-confrontational approach taken by Michael with the firm representing the buying Party, which enabled us to avoid deadlocks while protecting our core interests." Legal 500, 2023.
  • "Working with a seasoned advisor like Michael Heene is a great pleasure. Great understanding of our business and creative mind. His advice has helped us to take our company to the next level." Legal 500, 2022.
  • "Michaël Heene: smart, agile approach and super communication skills to convince counterparties and build trust among the principals. Big active contributor in deal closing with international principals in a difficult environment." Legal 500, 2021.
  • "Michael Heene is an outstanding lawyer that operates with a rare deal-making attitude. He represents his clients well and with his can-do mentality he quickly gains the trust of all parties involved." Legal 500, 2020.

Seminars

Regular speaker at Wolters Kluwer M&D Seminars on M&A, joint ventures and general company law.

Prior Experience

  • Partner at DLA Piper UK LLP, head of Corporate team in Belgium and co-head of the Financial Services M&A group at DLA Piper International, 2019 - present
  • From Associate to Managing Associate in a magic circle firm, 2005 - 2019

Additional qualifications

Assistant Professor in Company Law 2014 - Present

Memberships And Affiliations

Member of the Antwerp bar 2008

My latest insights

Event

Looking ahead: the horizon for Fintech investing, collaboration and M&A

11 June 2024 .1 minute read

Event

Exclusive client event at the Museum of Natural Science

6 June 2024 .2 minute read

Podcast

AI and the Legal Sector

10 January 2024 .1 minute read

View All

Connect

Phone

+32 32872844
(Work, Antwerp)
+32 476643408
(Work, Brussels)
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