Evelien Van Espen

Overview

Evelien Van Espen is a counsel in Crowell’s Brussels office and a member of the firm’s International Dispute Resolution Group. Her practice focuses on international arbitration and commercial litigation. When disputes arise in important commercial contracts, companies trust Evelien for strategic action and effective litigation. She represents clients in a variety of industries such as energy, marine infrastructure, life insurance, banking, distribution, and pharmaceuticals, both before the Belgian courts and the arbitral tribunals.

Evelien has significant experience in national and international arbitration as legal counsel as well as a secretary administered under various arbitration institutions.

During her studies, Evelien won the International Student Negotiation Competition organized by the American Bar Association Law Students Division. She also competed in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, where she was ranked best oralist. Evelien also worked as a part-time lecturer for the Centre for Methodology of Law at the Catholic University of Leuven during her initial years at the Brussels bar.

Evelien is currently a member of the International Construction Projects Committee of the IBA as well as of CEPANI.

Career & Education

Catholic University of Leuven, Bachelor of law, cum laude, 2016
Catholic University of Leuven, Masters of Law, magna cum laude, 2018
University of Chicago, LL.M., 2019
- Catholic University of Leuven, Bachelor of law, cum laude, 2016
- Catholic University of Leuven, Masters of Law, magna cum laude, 2018
- University of Chicago, LL.M., 2019
Belgium
- Belgium
Professional Activities and Memberships

Centre for Methodology of Law at the KU Leuven
Professional Activities and Memberships
- Centre for Methodology of Law at the KU Leuven
Dutch
English
French
- Dutch
- English
- French

Evelien's Insights

Event | 03.28.25

"Design Versus Performance Specifications,” 9th Biennial Conference on Construction Projects from Conception to Completion

Conflicts between mandating a specific standard to follow while making a performance specification in design-build and delegated design.

Speaking Engagement | 03.28.25
"Design Versus Performance Specifications,” 9th Biennial Conference on Construction Projects from Conception to Completion
Firm News | 9 min read | 01.02.25
Crowell & Moring Elects 12 New Partners, Promotes Four to Senior Counsel and 25 to Counsel
Press Coverage | 10.24.24
'Investors Can Also Pursue Class Actions From Now On'

View All Insights

Representative Matters

Arbitration

Represented a major Belgian pharmaceutical company in a CEPANI arbitration under Belgian law regarding a post-completion dispute in the pharmaceutical industry. The semi-virtual hearing lasted for 26 days and involved 17 witnesses, seven experts, and parties in three different time zones;
Represented a major Belgian company specialized in the fields of dredging, land reclamation, and marine infrastructure in a SIAC arbitration under UK law regarding the construction of a vessel; and
Acted as secretary in a CEPANI arbitration under Belgian law regarding various claims for breach of contract.

Commercial Litigation

Represented various Belgian distributors and principals before the Belgian courts in relation to alleged breaches of distribution agreements;
Represented an important Belgian medical laboratory in fast-track proceedings regarding claims of unfair competitive practices;
Represented an international energy company before the Belgian commercial courts regarding disputed invoices;
Represented a major Belgian life insurance company in legal proceedings regarding commission agreements involving complex investigations by court-appointed experts;
Represented a leading Belgian museum before the Belgian courts in relation to a stolen art work;
Represented multiple international life insurance companies in various legal proceedings before the Belgian (civil and criminal) courts in relation to claims of mis-selling and fraud;
Represented an important Belgian commercial landlord in proceedings against a tenant before the Belgian courts;
Represented a major Belgian bank in a highly contentious restructuring of its agency network; and
Represented a leading international clothing retailer in various disputes before the Belgian courts in relation to its commercial lease agreements.