‘We anticipate the challenges coming to start-ups and large companies’

Entrepreneurs who make an impact, that is what Anneleen prefers to dedicate herself to. She is praised not only for her legal knowledge, but especially for her strategic advice.

After all the most effective lawyer doesn’t solve problems but sees them coming. In six years, Anneleen has developed Four & Five into a law firm that is far ahead of its competitors. ‘We think ahead and identify the challenges on the horizon for start-ups and large companies alike’

She is a firm believer in long-term relationships. ‘Every successful entrepreneur started as a rookie and later grows into the corporate world or as an investor,’ Anneleen says. At Four & Five, she has already seen several entrepreneurs grow and evolve. ‘That doesn’t happen without trial and error, but we understand the life cycle of entrepreneurs. We are entrepreneurs ourselves.’

Anneleen focuses on technology and innovation. Together with her team, she advises start-ups, scale-ups and listed companies on a broad spectrum of topics, from drafting complex licensing agreements to advising boards of directors, during which she brings both her expertise in technology (IP/ICT) and corporate law (VC and PE investments and M&A) to the table.

Clients also value Anneleen for her in-depth knowledge and exceptional leadership skills. She herself says she is good at multi-tasking. ‘I can do that because I like to have clear structures in place.’ And if you don’t already know Anneleen, nonsense is not in her vocabulary. ‘I say what I think.’

What you need to know about Anneleen:

• Anneleen obtained her degree in Law at Ghent University and at Louvain-la-Neuve (magna cum laude).
• She began her career at Loyens & Loeff and set up Four & Five after becoming a partner at Ligé.
• Anneleen was Head of Legal Affairs at Clear2Pay, where she gained valuable practical experience in the technology sector.
• She is also a sought-after mentor for entrepreneurs at numerous business incubators, including Startit@KBC, Biotope (VIB), Darwin and Techtransfer (UA).
• Her tightly knit network is also valuable for the Four & Five as a whole and not least for its clients.
• Her native language is Dutch. She is fluent in French and English

‘The trick is to make complicated contracts manageable for the customer.’

Dimitri Coun is a real jack-of-all-trades who not only has a fluent pen, but is also good with numbers. This makes him a lawyer without equal.

The devil lies in the detail, as every lawyer knows. Dimitri tirelessly immerses himself in these details until all of the proverbial i’s have been dotted. He is a master in drafting watertight contracts. ‘The fewer words you need, the more likely it is that a contract will be watertight.’

His eye for detail is not the only thing that makes him a giant in his field. Dimitri is also truly excellent in translating these complex contracts into clear language for his clients. ‘Many of my clients don’t have a legal background. The trick is therefore to make complex contracts easily understandable for the client.’ Had we already mentioned that Dimitri is the most empathetic lawyer at Four Five?

An M&A lawyer must also maintain a balanced approach at the negotiating table. First and foremost, Dimitri represents the client’s interests, but a good lawyer also must not forget to adopt a pragmatic approach. ‘The trick is not to squabble over every point, but to quickly establish the playing field where you can make a difference.’

Outsiders described Dimitri as patient. ‘That’s great feedback, given that at home, I’m sometimes referred to as a ‘genuine Duracell bunny’ who is highly task focused. So it’s great that these two characteristics can co-exist side by side.’ Clients appreciate the fact that Dimitri invests a lot of time in developing and maintaining a relationship. ‘You can build a much closer relationship with a client by simply listening. Only that way can you truly understand the client’s needs.’

Dimitri also enjoys exploring the depths of transactional real estate. ‘That world has undergone rapid professionalisation, which means that even in the case of real estate transactions that take place in the form of a share deal or asset deal, a good M&A lawyer has now become indispensable.’

What you need to know about Dimitri:

• After obtaining his master’s degree in Law (KU Leuven, magna cum laude), Dimitri then specialised in Economic Studies and Corporate Law.
• Aren’t lawyers not all that good with figures? If that is what you thought, then you haven’t met Dimitri. Dimitri understands the ins and outs of valuation and ensures that those principles are correctly translated in the transaction documents.
• Before setting up Four & Five, Dimitri worked as a partner at Ligé and as a senior and director at Allen & Overy and EY.
• Dimitri demonstrates strong leadership skills and excels in training and supervising interns and members of staff and enabling them to become excellent lawyers.
• Dimitri speaks Dutch as his first language and has a very good command of written and spoken English.
• His focus at Four & Five is primarily on M&A, corporate acquisitions and transactional real estate.

‘We’re not only at our clients’ side at the important moments in their lives; we’re actually there for them every day.’

Tessa knows what a client wants, even before they realise that themselves. But doing that doesn’t mean you need to have superpowers. She’s actually extremely skilled at reading between the lines. ‘The better you know a particular client, the more successful that will be’, says Tessa. That’s why Four & Five works so hard to develop long-term relationships. ‘We’re not only at our clients’ side at the important moments in their lives; we’re actually there for them every day.’ ‘We’re not only at our clients’ side at the important moments in their lives; we’re actually there for them every day.’

Tessa feels at home in the entrepreneurial world. In that world, she advises national and international clients, varying from start-ups to established companies on corporate law and all manner of commercial contracts, including investment rounds, shareholders’ meetings and ‘corporate housekeeping’, but also international purchases and sales, distribution, franchise and general terms and conditions and all manner of cooperation and joint venture agreements.

Even M&A cases regularly find their way to Tessa’s desk, especially when they are taking place in a family context or involve an SME. ‘Those types of negotiations are often a bit more emotional’, says Tessa. The important thing is to explain each stage of the process properly and create a feeling of trust for all of the parties around the table.

Aside from this, Tessa also advises clients on real estate matters, varying from development and acquisition projects to real-estate related agreements (such as rental, concession and EPC agreements). ‘Innovation and sustainability are also posing new challenges,’ says Tessa. ‘These can include the legal consequences of installing charging points and solar panels or the arrangements you need to put in place when providing a recharging station for electric vehicles?’

Tessa is known for a multi-disciplinary approach and for her calmness, even while conducting the most difficult of negotiations. She always seeks to establish sustainable solutions that are in her client’s interests but are also acceptable to the other parties involved. ‘That is the only effective way to create added value.’

What you need to know about Tessa:

• Tessa obtained her a degree in Law from KU Leuven (cum laude).
• After obtaining a master’s degree and an additional master’s degree in Taxation Law at KU Leuven, Tessa pursued additional studies in Economic Law at the universities of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and Louvain-la-Neuve.
• Before moving to Four & Five, she worked at Loyens & Loeff and Ambos.
• She was also a founding partner of Cresco in 2014.
• Tessa is highly solution focused, pro-active and patient.
• She is also in great demand as an expert at many different business incubators such as NOA and Start it @ KBC.

‘No entrepreneur benefits from being constantly confronted with oppositions.’

Maxime has been involved with Four & Five since day one. In recent years, her passion for technology and innovative players has only grown. ‘Technology touches everything within an organization. From how you work to how you commercialize products or services.’

Maxime also has a love for language, but doesn’t use it to gloss over the matter in hand. On the contrary. ‘Finding the right words that will cause all of the pieces of the contractual puzzle to fall into place is a very satisfying feeling.’

Maxime not only helps draw up general terms and conditions for mobile apps, but also drafts and negotiates important agreements for major IT projects. She also saw the European privacy legislation (GDPR) evolve from a compulsory requirement to a strategic subject of reflection within companies.

Together with her dedicated team, Maxime also assists technology companies and innovative businesses with their legal (and commercial) challenges. She has extensive experience in commercial tech-contracts, as applied in various sectors such as artificial intelligence, consultancy, data analysis, financial services, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, software (as a service), telecommunications, utilities and so on.

Strangling contracts are not for her. “No entrepreneur or organization benefits from constantly being confronted with opposition.” Thanks to her negotiating skills, she comes up with sustainable solutions. Compromises in the positive sense of the word. “Otherwise, you’ll just waste time and money constantly negotiating.”

What you need to know about Maxime:

• Maxime obtained her master’s degree in Law at the University of Antwerp (cum laude). After that she undertook additional in-depth studies in ICT Law at KU Leuven.
• After gaining experience at EY Law and Ligé Advocaten, Maxime was one of the first lawyers at Four & Five.
• Within a short time, she became one of the key people in the firm. She has been a partner at Four & Five since 2022.
• Innovation and technology come with new legal issues and these are areas in which Maxime is only too glad to contribute ideas.

‘In recent years, I have experienced the true value of acting as a sparring partner.’

Pauline loves the multitude of clients she works with. The cases she loves to get stuck into the most are those involving companies with physical products and processes. From manufacturing businesses to logistics companies, and from traditional SMEs to big industrial movers, she adapts to different sectors without so much as a hitch.

Even so, there is one type of company that Pauline has a soft spot for. ‘I just love the dynamics at family businesses’, Pauline says. ‘You need to immerse yourself in the culture and get to grips with the emotional and generational aspects.’

In short, Pauline is an excellent sparring partner for entrepreneurs. ‘Entrepreneurs usually know exactly where they want to go, but are not entirely sure which path they need to take to get there. I like to challenge them, but the main thing I do is give them the structure they need to facilitate that journey.’ A trait that comes in handy in complex acquisition and investment cases.

Pauline always communicates clearly what parties can and should expect from each other. ‘As a lawyer, I like to know all the ins and outs of ongoing cases. I really get to the bottom of every case. Any unknown factor is a risk you can avoid.’

As a partner at Four & Five, Pauline focuses on all aspects of service. Lawyers are trained to pay attention to every last detail: every clause and every comma could make a difference. ‘You’ve got to apply that same precision to the customer experience clients get at Four & Five,’ according to Pauline. ‘From the initial phone call to any aftercare they may need: the fine detail of these interactions matters just as much as the fine detail in legal documents.

What you need to know about Pauline:

• Pauline obtained her Master of Laws at KU Leuven with a specialisation in economic law, and took a postgraduate degree in international business law at Paris-Pantheon-Assas University.
• She amassed five years of experience at Cresco Business Law before making the switch to Four & Five.
• Pauline specialises in corporate law and has a particular fondness for family businesses.
• Pauline has a keen eye for detail, not only in legal case files, but in her contact with clients too. This is something she and the marketing team are absolutely committed to.

‘A good M&A transaction always takes note of the bigger picture’

Michaël assists companies and entrepreneurs in their most strategic transactions: from buy- and sell-side M&A deals to exit strategies for founders and investors, both nationally and internationally. His approach is practical, results-oriented and always bespoke to the unique needs of each client, ensuring they receive the support they need at every step of the process.

Michaël discovered his passion for M&A transactions early in his career. ‘It combines a lot of things I love: strategy, complex issues and helping entrepreneurs at crucial moments,’ Michaël explains.

As a M&A lawyer, he builds bridges between the world of business and the legal reality, so that every transaction is not only legally sound, but also commercially profitable. In doing so, what matters most to him is that all parties feel positive about the outcome. Whether it’s lawyers or entrepreneurs he’s dealing with, he speaks their language.

A wide range of clients in different sectors value Michaël as a trusted advisor and dealmaker: from entrepreneurs preparing for their first exit and investment vehicles building on their buy-and-build portfolio to multinationals planning their fifth acquisition and SMEs looking for a dedicated legal partner. Michaël is ready to bring ideas to the table and create value every day.

One key principle for Michaël is that advisors are not central to the deal and are there to facilitate the transaction, not to play the lead role in it. The entrepreneurs and their story take centre stage.

Michaël makes a difference through his ability to cut through the noise and get to the core issue, his creative approach and his determination to successfully complete a transaction. ‘Sometimes you have to think outside the box to really make a deal work,’ Michaël adds. He likes to look for structures and solutions that may not be immediately obvious to others.

What you need to know about Michaël:

• Michaël obtained his Master of Laws at the University of Antwerp and further deepened his knowledge through an advanced master’s degree in notarial law at KU Leuven, a postgraduate degree in corporate law at VIVES Business Academy and a course in private equity and venture capital at Bocconi University.
• Before joining Four & Five, Michaël gained experience as a Corporate/M&A lawyer at an international law firm.
• He is known for his ability to break down complex transactions into terms that all parties involved can understand, and for building long-term relationships with clients.
• Michaël is a passionate athlete but also loves good food and a good glass of wine

‘Understanding each other’s position yields far more than trench warfare’

At first glance, corporate law seems technical and impersonal. Teona knows better. ‘In practice, it is all about people.’ During her law studies, she discovered her passion for corporate law, and it has only grown ever since. At the root of this lies a strong sense of justice.

What makes M&A fascinating for her is the fact that she sees both sides of the story. On one side, you have the sellers. ‘I have enormous respect for people who have built up their life’s work and decide to sell it. That is an emotional experience.’ For them, due diligence can feel overwhelming. Teona therefore ensures her language is clear and accessible, and she takes the time to listen. ‘You have to understand what keeps them awake at night. For them, this is often the first and perhaps the last time they will go through this.’ On the other hand, Teona also enjoys helping buyers view transactions from a strategic perspective. ‘Bringing those two perspectives together is an enriching experience.’

Teona likes to compare an M&A file to project management. It begins with an intention, after which an entire process must be guided through the funnel. ‘I love the peaks and the valleys. Sometimes things move along at a gentle pace, only to suddenly surge forward again at 120 per cent.’ It is precisely during such surges that she remains calm, and maintains an even closer focus on detail. She prefers to guide such processes through to absolute perfection.

Negotiating is second nature to her. ‘There is nothing I enjoy more than sitting down with the other party to find the best possible deal.’ In her view, bombarding one another with markups on proposals is a pointless exercise. Understanding each other’s position yields far more than trench warfare.

At Four & Five, Teona feels totally at home. She recognises that everyone has the same drive to excel and to be an expert in their field. Just like her mentor Dimitri, she works with meticulous precision and focus. Her choice to become counsel stems from what she loves doing most: helping the people around her grow. ‘I enjoy bringing a sense of calm to a team and allowing everyone to be themselves. That is how you bring out the best in one another.’ She views training and mentoring a group of young lawyers as her next personal challenge.

What you should know about Teona:

• Teona developed a passion for corporate law during her law studies at the University of Antwerp.
• Before joining Four & Five, Teona gained experience at a boutique law firm specialising in M&A.
• She continues to deepen her expertise in M&A and is a member of Dimitri Coun’s team.
• Teona consciously chose the role of counsel, with the aim of training and mentoring young talent.
• The more complex the file, the sharper her focus becomes. Nothing is left to chance.

“A strong vision does not arise from holding on to a single perspective, but from being open to other insights.”

Evy deliberately looks beyond the strictly legal issue. Her experience in both the legal profession and the business world has taught her to connect legal expertise with the economic, commercial, and strategic reality in which clients do business.

As Counsel, she therefore aims to be more than a legal adviser. She acts as a sparring partner, brainstorms with clients about the various possibilities, and translates complex issues into clear, workable solutions. Legal quality comes first, but always with an eye to what a client ultimately wants to achieve.

Evy assists clients, among other things, with corporate and M&A matters, commercial contracts, and technology and real estate files. Her clients are active in a wide range of sectors, including life sciences, construction, industry, real estate, financial services, and technology.

With her driven and entrepreneurial approach, Evy is a strong fit with Four & Five’s DNA: thoughtful in her advice, approachable in her style, and with a clear focus on solutions that also work in practice.

What you should know about Evy

• Evy obtained her Master of Laws from Ghent University and went on to complete an advanced master in European Union Law at Paris II
• Panthéon-Assas University. In addition, she obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• After her traineeship at Linklaters, she chose the private sector, where she helped build real estate projects and contributed to professionalisation within Club Brugge, among other things.
• She then built up extensive experience over more than ten years as a lawyer at various international law firms.
• Evy attaches great importance to personal and approachable collaboration: clients must feel heard and understood and know that they can turn to her, even with the smallest question.