1. Home
  2. |Professionals
  3. |Karel Bourgeois

Karel Bourgeois

Partner
Partner
a2JvdXJnZW9pc0Bjcm93ZWxsLmNvbQ==
VCardLinkedIn
VCardLinkedIn

Areas of Focus

Overview

Clients turn to Karel Bourgeois to manage their competition risks, and they value his pragmatic approach and commercial understanding. Karel’s practice focuses on EU and Belgian competition law, foreign direct investment screening, and the regulation of state aid and subsidies.

Karel steers clients through merger control, cartel, and abuse proceedings before the European Commission, the Belgian Competition Authority, and other global regulators. Clients also seek his advice on how to realize their projects in compliance with antitrust and competition law.

With his extensive knowledge of state aid, Karel helps clients navigate state aid proceedings before the EC and advises them on strategic state aid and foreign subsidies issues. He regularly represents clients in national and EU courts in competition and state aid cases.

He represents clients in a range of industries, with significant experience in the telecommunications, media, energy, and health care sectors.

Karel is a regular speaker at competition law conferences and is the author of the standard book on Belgian merger control.

Career & Education

    • University of Antwerp, L.B., magna cum laude, 2000
    • Catholic University of Leuven, M.L., magna cum laude, 2003
    • University of Chicago Law School, LL.M., 2004
    • University of Antwerp, L.B., magna cum laude, 2000
    • Catholic University of Leuven, M.L., magna cum laude, 2003
    • University of Chicago Law School, LL.M., 2004

    • Belgium
    • European Court
    • Belgium
    • European Court

    • Dutch
    • English
    • French
    • German
    • Dutch
    • English
    • French
    • German
Karel Bourgeois is top lawyer in every aspect. He is technical, well organised and business-savvy.

— Chambers Global, 2026

Karel's Insights

Webinar | 11.16.26

Lifecycle of a Deal – Handling the Competition and FDI Aspects of M&A Transactions

Every deal has a lifecycle — and at each stage, competition law and foreign direct investment (FDI) rules have the potential to change the outcome. Knowing where the risks lie, and how to manage them, can make all the difference. Join us for a practical session in which we will guide you through the full lifecycle of a deal from a competition and FDI perspective.

View All Insights

Recognition

  • Chambers Europe: Belgium, Competition: Domestic, Band 4, 2026
  • Chambers Global – Belgium, Competition/European Law: State Aid, Band 3, 2024–present

Karel's Insights

Webinar | 11.16.26

Lifecycle of a Deal – Handling the Competition and FDI Aspects of M&A Transactions

Every deal has a lifecycle — and at each stage, competition law and foreign direct investment (FDI) rules have the potential to change the outcome. Knowing where the risks lie, and how to manage them, can make all the difference. Join us for a practical session in which we will guide you through the full lifecycle of a deal from a competition and FDI perspective.

View All Insights

Insights

Webinar | 11.16.26

Lifecycle of a Deal – Handling the Competition and FDI Aspects of M&A Transactions

Webinar | 09.03.26

Maximizing Opportunities in the EU Defense, Security and Aerospace Markets

Speaking Engagement | 09.03.26

"Maximizing Opportunities in the EU Defense, Security and Aerospace Markets," Crowell & Moring Webinar.

Client Alert | 4 min read | 05.11.26

New Temporary State Aid Framework Throws A Lifeline To Sectors Hit By The Middle East Crisis

View All Insights