Niek De Pauw specialises in domestic and international M&A transactions, equity capital markets and listed company advisory work.
Niek has broad experience in public and private acquisitions, disposals, restructurings, joint ventures, and private equity transactions. His expertise also covers securities offerings, including IPOs, rights issues and other capital market operations. He regularly advises listed companies on a wide range of corporate governance issues.
- Advised Antin Infrastructure and its portfolio company Eurofiber on its joint venture agreement with Proximus for the roll-out of a fiber network in the Walloon Region, Belgium.
- Advised Fosun on the sale of its stake in Ageas to BNP Paribas Cardif.
- Advised Asterion on its acquisition of two large scale CHP projects, Arbio and Biofer.
- Advised World of Talents and its management on the sale of the company to CVC (alongside Baltisse and management).
- Advised Tikehau Capital on its investment in Biobest.
- Advised Azelis and its shareholder EQT on Azelis' €1.8bn IPO on Euronext Brussels, the largest Belgian IPO since 2007.
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, Brussels
- +3225335072
- Email me
- Speaks Dutch, English and French
- Practice area M&A corporate
Career & qualifications
- University of Ghent (licentiaat rechten) 2002
- New York University School of Law (LL.M.) 2003
- Admitted as an advocaat in Belgium 2003
- Joined Clifford Chance 2003
- Partner since 2016
Professional bodies
- Member of the Brussels Bar
Awards and citations
- "Niek De Pauw is a very down to earth lawyer who comes up with solid solutions. He is really knowledgeable and always accessible.
"Chambers Europe, Belgium, Corporate M&A, 2025 - "Niek De Pauw is very good at thinking with us in order to be creative and facilitate finding solutions. He is always helpful and reachable.
"Chambers Europe, Belgium, Corporate M&A, 2025 - "I appreciate Niek De Pauw's ability to think along with me. He is pragmatic, optimistic and recognises my needs as a client.
"Chambers Europe, Belgium, Corporate M&A, 2025 - "Niek De Pauw knows the business well and combines his expertise in M&A with a business mindset.
"Chambers Europe, Belgium, Corporate M&A, 2025 - "Niek De Pauw has been super good at what we do in capital markets. He is a strong deliberator and is pretty agile.
"Chambers Europe, Belgium, Capital Markets, 2025 - He is highlighted by an interviewee for his "no-nonsense and client-oriented" approach, in addition to his "technical knowledge."
Chambers Europe, Belgium, Corporate M&A, 2020 - "Excellent support. Constructive and out-of-the-box thinking."
IFLR1000 2017, M&A - "He has good technical skills, and is calm, composed and pleasant to work with."
Chambers Global 2018, Corporate / M&A
- "He has a very strong technical legal background coupled with great client skills."
Legal 500 2010, Corporate / M&A