Maarten Vanderhaeghe is a member of the New York State Bar since 2015, a member of the Brussels Bar Association (B-list) since 2017, and a Partner, head of the Regulatory & Trade law department and member of the Commercial & Corporate law department, at Pierstone Brussels.
He is fluent in Dutch, English and French with a working knowledge of Spanish and a basic knowledge of German.
Expertise:
Maarten is a skilled international lawyer with extensive experience in domestic and international corporate, regulatory, and trade law and policy matters. Throughout his career, he has advised companies, non-profit organizations, sovereign clients and trade associations in various sectors including the agricultural, automotive, chemicals, electronics, ICT, and heavy-duty laundry industries.
In terms of corporate expertise, Maarten regularly advises companies on corporate internal matters including contracts, corporate governance and housekeeping, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance. In addition, he has assisted with corporate transactional matters including document preparation and review, legal disclosure requirements, and due diligence.
As for regulatory and trade matters, Maarten has a longstanding experience in a wide range of both national and EU-level issues including, without limitation:
- Customs law and policy;
- Export controls and sanctions;
- International trade law and policies;
- Trade defence proceedings;
- Trade-related Brexit developments;
- Trade-related EU regulatory developments and compliance.
Professional experience:
- Since 2020: Partner at Pierstone, Brussels;
- 2019-2020: Counsel at Olislaegers, De Creus & Clerens (ODC), Diegem;
- 2016-2019: Associate at VVGB Avocats/Advocaten, Brussels;
- 2014-2016: Associate at EU Strategies, Brussels;
- 2008-2011: Senior EU Trade and Regulatory Analyst, White & Case, Brussels;
- 2002-2005: International Trade Analyst, White & Case, Washington, DC (US).
Education:
Maarten obtained a Juris Doctor law degree (JD), cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law in 2014. Prior to this, he also earned a Master of Arts (MA) from the Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 2007 and an MA in History, cum laude, from the Free University of Brussels (VUB) in 2001. During his studies, Maarten received a fellowship from the prestigious Belgian American Education Foundation (BAEF) for the academic year 2006-2007, took coursework at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government in 2006, and spent a semester at the IE Law School in Madrid, Spain in 2013. Furthermore, Maarten is currently enrolled in a postgraduate training in Belgian Company Law at the VIVES Business School in Brugge, Belgium.
Publications:
- “Brexit: EU “Not in Position to Consent” to UK Re-Accession to Lugano Convention”, Pierstone Newsletter, 18 August 2021 (with S. Purica)
- “European Commission Proposes Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism”, Pierstone Newsletter, 19 July 2021 (with S. Purica)
- “EU-India Summit Gives New Impetus to Trade and Investment: An Overview”, Pierstone Newsletter, 13 May 2021 (with S. Purica)
- “EU-UK Post-Brexit Agreement: Digital Trade and IP Aspects”, Pierstone Newsletter, 15 February 2021 (with A. Domken, M. Pistone and L. Somaini)
- “EU-UK Post-Brexit Agreement: Trade and Regulatory Takeaways”, Pierstone Newsletter, 14 January 2021 (with V. Querton)
- “Brexit: Important Trade Mark Considerations”, Pierstone Newsletter, 1 September 2020 (with H. Abraham and L. Somaini)
- “Belgium Sets Rules on Prohibited Unfair Terms in B2B Contracts”, Pierstone Newsletter, 14 July 2020 (with H. Abraham)
- “Belgium Prohibits Abuse of Economic Dependence in B2B Relations”, Pierstone Newsletter, 4 June 2020
- “Preparing for Brexit: Urgent Regulatory, Trade and Contractual Considerations”, ODC Newsletter EU Regulatory & Trade Law, 13 August 2019 (with M. Olislaegers)
- Chapter on European Union in The International Trade Law Review: Fourth Edition, Law Business Research Ltd, 2018 (with K. Huyghebaert and N. Kuplewatzky)
- Chapter on European Union in The International Trade Law Review: Third Edition, Law Business Research Ltd, 2017 (with J. Cornelis and F. Graafsma)
