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Juliette, Gitte and Astrid take the oath
๐๐๐ซ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ง๐: ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐จ๐ซ ๐ฅ๐๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐๐ค๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐จ๐๐ญ๐ก!
We are happy to share that our three new junior lawyers, Juliette Powis, Gitte Wauters and Astrid Jamaer, officially took their oath at the Brussels Bar. ๐
Juliette, Gitte and Astrid joined our firm last week, following summer internships and roles as research assistants at our firm. They will strengthen our teams, respectively in competition & EU, commercial and corporate.
We want to congratulate them on this significant milestone in their legal careers and wish them every success as they embark on this exciting new journey!
#lawstudents #lawfirm #lawyers #newhires #welcome #contrastvibes #contrasttalent



contrast walks for a cleaner future
Last weekend, a group of motivated colleagues at ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ took on the A.S. Adventure Walk, covering an impressive 20 kilometres through Brussels.
By participating, our team proudly contributed to River Cleanup, an organisation committed to removing plastic pollution from rivers and waterways across the globe.
A heartfelt thank you to all colleagues who took part and helped turn steps into impact.
Learn more about River Cleanup and how you can help via their website ๐ www.river-cleanup.org
#ESG #sustainability #sustainableentrepreneurshipย #RiverCleanup #wellbeingatwork #VCDO #contrastcares
ECJ judgment in RFC Seraing case: why parties can't escape EU law via arbitration
As reported earlier (see our LinkedIn post: https://lnkd.in/eCe-BHqR), in a preliminary ruling of 1 August 2025, the EU Court of Justice ruled that arbitral awards, such as those issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), cannot automatically be considered binding in EU Member States when EU public policy is at stake.
In their recent contribution in De Juristenkrant of 24 september 2025, our dispute resolution counsel Benjamin Magnus and associate Marie-Julie Kormoss discuss the ECJ judgment. They explore the broader implications for (sports) arbitration and explain how the judgment confirms the role of national courts as gatekeepers of fair dispute resolution.
๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐จ?
๐ Read the full article (in Dutch) below or on our website: https://lnkd.in/ewMKMjgZ
๐ You can read the ECJ judgment here: https://lnkd.in/eEHgzA-i
๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ? Feel free to contact Benjamin, Marie-Julie, or your usual contact person at ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ.
#ECJ #DisputeResolution #Arbitration #SportsLaw #CAS #CompetitionLaw #contrastpublications


Join contrast at the following student events
๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ง ๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐? ๐๐จ๐จ๐ค ๐ง๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ!
At ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ, we offer a variety of internships tailored for law students:
โข Internships during winter, spring or summer (1 month),
โข Weekly internships as research assistant (1 or 2 days per week),
โข Bar internships as junior lawyer in one of our practice areas.
You can count on us for enriching internships with interesting cases, a strong team spirit, and personalised guidance and training.
๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ค๐ง๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ? Mark these dates in your agenda and come meet us at the following events:
โข ๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ โ Networking event with ELSA Gent (Cellarium - Sint-Pietersabdij)
โข ๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ โ UGent Job fair with Vlaams Rechtsgenootschap Gent (VRG) (ICC)
โข ๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ โ UA Jobdays with ELSA Antwerpen (Handelsbeurs)
โข ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ โ KU Leuven campus interviews
โข ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ โ VUB Job fair with ELSA Brussel (Usquare VUB)
โข ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ โ KU Leuven Job fair with Vlaams Rechtsgenootschap (VRG) (Brabanthal)
โข ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ โ UA campus interviews
โข ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ โ Networking event with ELSA Leuven (Faculty Club Leuven)
Already interested in meeting us? Send us your CV today via our website.
Our team looks forward to meeting you!
#lawstudents #lawfirm #jobfairs #legalinternship #meetcontrast #contraststudentcorner #fitforpurpose
In the Picture - Arbitration: final destination or simple stopover?
๐๐ฆ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ ... ๐ญ
One of your business partners claims that your company is abusing its dominant position and threatens to go to court to stop that abuse and claim damages. An amicable solution proves impossible to reach.
To avoid a protracted legal battle before the courts, you propose that the dispute be settled through arbitration. The other party agrees, the arbitration proceedings run smoothly and the outcome is positive: the arbitrators reject the alleged abuse of a dominant position.
You are relieved until you receive a message from your solicitor a few weeks later. Apparently, the other party does not accept the ruling and is still going to court. You frown. Is this possible? Wasn't arbitration final?
๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ค๐ง๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐? Read our latest #inthepicture โArbitration: final destination or simple stopover? โ here, or contact our dispute resolution counsel Benjamin Magnus or associate Marie-Julie Kormoss.
#disputeresolution #arbitration #competitionlaw #sportslaw #CourtOfJusticeEU #CASArbitration #FIFARegulation


World Cleanup Day at contrast
In honour ofย World Cleanup Dayย on 20 September, our team contributed to a cleaner and greener neighbourhood by collecting litterย in the streets surrounding our office. Equipped with litter pickers and bin bags, we removed bottles, plastic wrappers, and other waste from public spaces.
Atย ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ, we believe that small actions can lead to meaningful change. This initiative is one of the ways we aim to support a more sustainable and responsible environment.
A big thank you to everyone who took part, and to theย City of Zaventemย for kindly providing the materials that made this possible.
Want to know how you can make an impact in your own neighbourhood? Visit the website ofย Mooimakersย ๐ https://lnkd.in/gUJQ-eqw
#sustainability #VCDO #ESG #worldcleanupday #communityimpact #duurzaamondernemen #contrastcares
Team spirit, sea breeze, and a whole lot of laughter
Last Friday, we swapped our desks for the Belgian coast and headed to De Haan for our annual team building weekend.
We kicked off the day with a guided go-car tour, discovering the rich history and hidden gems of the coastal town. The afternoon brought out our competitive side with fun team games on the beach, followed by an adrenaline-filled rafting session. We ended the evening with a beachside barbecue, enjoying a stunning sunset to end the day.
We at ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ are grateful for moments like these to bring us closer together, recharge our spirits, and remind us why teamwork matters.
A big thank you to the ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ vibes team for organising this weekend getaway!
#Team #TeamBuilding #LawFirm #TeamSpirit #FunAtWork #LawFirmLife #thecontrastisclear #contrastvibes
contrast vibesParalegal Day 2025
Our colleagues Ine Schockaert, corporate counsel, and Marthe Wouters, corporate paralegal, will be speaking again at this yearโs Paralegal Day on ๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐. The Paralegal Day is an annual, full-day congress designed specifically for paralegals and legal support professionals with the possibility to follow inspiring keynotes and network with other professionals in the field. We have been a returning speaker at the event for a number of years now, and are always proud to contribute!
In their session, Ine and Marthe will guide participants through the complexities of corporate housekeeping, offering useful and practical tools to manage company administration more efficiently.
Sounds interesting? Check out the website of NCOI Learning for more information.
See you there!
#paralegal #corporatelaw #continuouslearning #keynote #corporatehousekeeping #meetcontrast


Smashing health goals @ contrast!
At ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ, wellbeing isnโt just a buzzword. Weโre committed to fostering a healthy and active workplace.
One way we do that? Our monthly summer ping pong tournaments!
Augustโs edition brought together associates, interns, employees, and partners for some friendly competition and a whole lot of fun. Beyond the rallies and smashes, itโs about movement, connection, and creating space for wellbeing at work.
Our winners of last month areโฆ
๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐จ๐ง: Hendrik Verbruggen
๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ: Hendrik Verbruggen & Daniel Murray
Thanks to everyone who participated and helped keep our office energy high. One more tournament to go in September. Letโs keep the momentum going!
#wellbeingatwork #lawfirmlife #sport #VCDO #thecontrastisclear #contrastcares

A warm welcome to our September interns!
September 1st marks a fresh start for many! Today, weโre glad to welcome four talented students to the ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ team.
Robine, Matthias, Amelie and Rodrigue will be joining our competition, corporate and commercial teams as summer interns. They will dive into interesting legal work, experience exciting projects and learn from our lawyers.
We wish them a great start and lots of good luck!
Also interested in experiencing a legal internship at ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ? Visit our website to learn more about student internships and career opportunities in 2026.
#internship #legalinternship #lawstudent #careergrowth #learningopportunities #studentcorner #contrastlaw #thecontrastisclear