Emmanuel Plasschaert, partner and head of Crowell & Moring’s Corporate, Commercial, and Employment practices in Brussels, will become president (“bâtonnier”) of the Brussels Bar (FR) on September 1, 2022. Plasschaert previously served a two-year term as the Bar’s vice-president.
“The primary responsibility of the Bar’s leadership is to efficiently ensure compliance with the Bar’s rules and duties, as well as safeguarding the core values for which lawyers stand,” said Plasschaert. “Most importantly, this enables our members to defend and protect the fundamental rights of their clients. I will devote all of my strengths, skills, experience, and energy to this mission and to serving the Brussels Bar.”
Plasschaert advises clients on individual and collective labor law, international employment, HR data protection and privacy issues, and corporate transactions and restructurings. He is also a seasoned litigator. For more than 25 years, Plasschaert has represented Belgian and multinational companies, as well as individuals, before the Belgian courts in commercial and complex litigation, including seizures and cross-border litigation issues. He was one of the first to represent a client in class action proceedings in Belgium. Plasschaert has been a member of the Brussels Bar since 1993.
“As colleagues of Emmanuel, we are proud that he is taking on the role of president,” said Kristof Roox, co-managing partner of Crowell’s Brussels office. “We have worked alongside Emmanuel for more than 25 years and value his knowledge, empathy, and collaboration, both within the firm and with clients. His demonstrated leadership qualities and commitment are a great asset to the Brussels Bar. Emmanuel will continue to serve his clients as he steps into this new role.”
The French Brussels Bar (Barreau de Bruxelles) is the first French bar in Belgium and has approximately 5,000 lawyers as members. It is also the third largest French bar in the world, behind the Paris and Montreal bars.
