KurtH

Kurt Haegeman

Partner
Baker & McKenzie CVBA/SCRL

Biography

Kurt Haegeman is the global chair of Baker McKenzie's Consumer Goods and Retail Industry Group and a partner in Baker McKenzie’s Brussels office. Kurt is also a member of the Firm's Global Cartel Task Force and European Competition Law Practice Group.

Practice Focus

Kurt has extensive experience in advising CG&R clients and clients from other industry sectors on complex multijurisdictional antitrust matters, including antitrust investigations focusing on horizontal and vertical conduct, dawn raid defense and leniency strategy. Kurt assists CG&R clients regularly in the development, roll-out and policing of Europe-wide distribution systems, and has particular expertise in advising on selective distribution and ecommerce management. Kurt has been at the forefront of Baker McKenzie's efforts to support CG&R clients in their response to the pandemic.

Representative Legal Matters

  • Represents the Brands for Europe coalition of more than 20 global brand owners in connection with the European Commission’s review of the EU Vertical Restraints Block Exemption & Guidelines, and before in the context of the EU's e-commerce sector inquiry.

  • Represents several consumer goods manufacturers in ongoing antitrust investigations into resale price maintenance, territorial and customer restraints, and online sales restrictions.

  • Represented Pioneer in the European Commission's investigation concerning resale price maintenance and territorial restrictions, securing a 50% discount in the first EU settlement in a verticals case.

  • Acted for a multinational FMCG supplier in the Belgian Competition Authority's first cartel settlement decision concerning the Belgian grocery sector.

  • Represented Mitsubishi Electric in the settlement of the European Commission's cartel investigation in the car parts sector (alternators and starters).

  • Represented an automotive parts supplier in the European Commission’s ongoing cartel investigations in the car parts sector, successfully securing the closure of the case.

  • Advised Mitsubishi Electric on the European Commission's cartel investigation involving gas-insulated switchgear, and securing on appeal before the General Court complete annulment of the fine.

  • Counseled Mitsubishi Electric on the European Commission's cartel investigation involving elevators and escalators, securing the lowest fine for the client.

Professional Honors

  • Acritas Star Lawyer 2018-2021
  • Competition & Future Leaders, Who's Who Legal 2018-2021 (Competition & Future Leaders)

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Non-Governmental Advisor (NGA) for DG Competition (European Commission) at the International Competition Network (ICN), 2019-2020

Admissions

  • Brussels~Belgium (1996)

Education

  • Cambridge University (LLM) (1996)
  • University of Ghent (Licentiate) (1995)

Languages

  • Dutch
  • English
  • French