David Haex elected Osborne Clarke's new Managing Partner in Belgium

Osborne Clarke Belgium has appointed David Haex as its new Brussels-based managing partner with effect from 1 January 2021.

David Haex is currently head of Osborne Clarke’s Corporate team in Belgium and will take over from Thierry Viérin at the end of his term, after almost eight years in the role.

David has been with Osborne Clarke since the build-out of the Belgian office in 2013. He advises on all types of corporate transactional matters and is an expert in public and private mergers and acquisitions. He has particular experience in the Technology, Media and Communications and in the Life Sciences and Healthcare sectors. He grew his team from a solo practice to a team of nine corporate specialists, including a second partner. He is already a member of the Executive Committee of the firm.

David commented: "I am excited to lead the Brussels office in the next phase of Osborne Clarke’s development as we work towards our 2025 vision of becoming the "go to" advisor for fast-growth sector clients. Our success so far is the best evidence that we've been focussing on exactly the right clients and sectors since the launch of our Belgian office. I am grateful for the support that we received from our clients and colleagues so far, and I look forward to discovering with them the growing impact that this forward-looking team will have in the Belgian market and beyond."

Osborne Clarke recently launched its three-dimensional international client strategy that combines legal expertise, sector understanding and transformational insight. The strategy responds to the macroeconomic factors that are shaping business over the next five years such as digital transformation, the transition to a net zero future and adapting the ever-evolving urban dynamics of how we live, work and travel.

David spearheaded a Belgian campaign to support the 3D strategy looking at the digitalisation of legal processes, which supports clients with digital tools to help them manage their legal workflow of electronic documents, contracts, HR documents and corporate housekeeping.

Osborne Clarke's 3D strategy is underpinned by its commitment to promoting a collaborative and inclusive culture and David will oversee the Brussels office's initiatives to support diversity going forward. Osborne Clarke was one of the founding firms in the Legal Diversity & Inclusion Alliance and its lawyers have been active in Belgian and pan-European initiatives to make the legal profession stronger by ensuring it is increasingly inclusive.

Thierry Viérin is one of the founding partners of Osborne Clarke in Belgium, having established the Brussels office in 2013. Under Thierry's leadership, the office grew from a team of ten people to a team of over forty. Thierry developed a strong culture within the firm and oversaw recruiting legal specialists for Osborne Clarke's key international sectors and service lines. Thierry will continue to head the Employment team after ending his tenure as managing partner.

Thierry commented: "I have been fortunate to lead a great business for many years and to help Osborne Clarke establish its practice in the heart of Europe. David is the right person to take it over and come with new ideas. We have a number projects in development around our 3D strategy and David is the perfect match to take this to the next level."