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Karel Bourgeois

Partner
Partner
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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 exhibits strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a client-centric approach.

— Chambers Global, 2025

Karel's Insights

Client Alert | 10 min read | 07.15.25

Fueling The Future: Understanding The EU’s Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF)

On June 25, 2025, the European Commission adopted a new framework that simplifies EU State aid rules to make it easier for Member States to support the development of clean energy, industrial decarbonization and clean technology. This Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) will be in place until December 31, 2030 and replaces the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF), which was introduced in March 2023 to address the economic impact of the war in Ukraine and reduce the EU’s dependence on imported fossil fuels....

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Recognition

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

Karel's Insights

Client Alert | 10 min read | 07.15.25

Fueling The Future: Understanding The EU’s Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF)

On June 25, 2025, the European Commission adopted a new framework that simplifies EU State aid rules to make it easier for Member States to support the development of clean energy, industrial decarbonization and clean technology. This Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) will be in place until December 31, 2030 and replaces the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF), which was introduced in March 2023 to address the economic impact of the war in Ukraine and reduce the EU’s dependence on imported fossil fuels....

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Insights

Client Alert | 10 min read | 07.15.25

Fueling The Future: Understanding The EU’s Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF)

Webinar | 05.13.25

Sustainability and Competition Law—The Transatlantic Divide

Speaking Engagement | 05.13.25

"Sustainability and Competition Law—The Transatlantic Divide," Crowell & Moring Webinar.

Client Alert | 11 min read | 05.13.25

The Belgian Competition Authority Steps Up Its Merger Control and Cartel Enforcement Activities

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Practices

Industries

Karel's Insights

Client Alert | 10 min read | 07.15.25

Fueling The Future: Understanding The EU’s Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF)

On June 25, 2025, the European Commission adopted a new framework that simplifies EU State aid rules to make it easier for Member States to support the development of clean energy, industrial decarbonization and clean technology. This Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) will be in place until December 31, 2030 and replaces the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF), which was introduced in March 2023 to address the economic impact of the war in Ukraine and reduce the EU’s dependence on imported fossil fuels....

View All Insights