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Thomas De Meese

Partner
Partner
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Areas of Focus

Overview

Thomas De Meese serves as co-managing partner of the firm's Brussels office and has been a member of the Brussels bar since 1993. He focuses on competition and unfair competition, telecommunications, media and technology law, and gambling regulatory matters. Thomas' experience includes day-to-day counselling on distribution issues, technology licensing, patent pools, joint bidding, standard setting, dominance issues, and the activities of trade associations. He has developed and implemented pan-European antitrust compliance and training programs for multinational companies. He represents parties in competition investigations and merger proceedings with both the Belgian Competition Authority and the EC Commission. Thomas regularly litigates competition cases before national courts.

Thomas assists clients on e-commerce and Internet-related issues such as ISP-liability, data protection, online services, distance selling, and e-advertisement. He regularly drafts and negotiates complex telecommunication agreements such as MVNO deals or interconnection agreements. He is involved in complex litigation in the media and telecommunications sector. He regularly represents one of the main players in the field of internet, telephony, and interactive digital TV in Flanders in contentious and non-contentious matters.

Thomas has inter alia successfully represented gambling software vendors and online and land-based bookmakers in litigation against government-owned incumbent operators.

He frequently speaks at professional and academic conferences and has published several articles on e-commerce, commercial communications, and competition law.

Career & Education

    • College of Europe (Bruges), M.A., magna cum laude, advanced european studies
    • University of Antwerp, J.D., magna cum laude
    • College of Europe (Bruges), M.A., magna cum laude, advanced european studies
    • University of Antwerp, J.D., magna cum laude

    • Belgium
    • European Court
    • Belgium
    • European Court

  • Professional Activities and Memberships

    • IBA

    Professional Activities and Memberships

    • IBA

    • Dutch
    • English
    • French
    • German
    • Dutch
    • English
    • French
    • German
His ability to provide strong, to-the-point advice and his in-depth knowledge of our business have been instrumental in guiding us through complex legal matters.

— Chambers Europe, 2025

Thomas's Insights

Firm News | 2 min read | 03.27.26

Crowell Recognized Among Top Firms in Legal 500 EMEA 2026

Brussels – March 27, 2026: The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) 2026 edition has recognized 13 practice areas and nine lawyers in Crowell & Moring’s Brussels office....

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Representative Matters

  • Represented a broadcaster in appeals against a decision by the BCA to clear the acquisition of another broadcaster by a competitor.
  • Represented a cable operator in the EU merger proceedings regarding the creation of a video streaming platform.
  • Represented a retailer in several investigations by national competition authorities.
  • Represented a manufacturer as a defendant in an infringement investigation by the European Commission.
  • Represented complainants in follow-on damages litigation.
  • Represented a cable operator in various appeals against decisions of the telecommunications regulator.
  • Represented online and land-based bookmakers in litigation against government-owned incumbent operators.

Thomas's Insights

Firm News | 2 min read | 03.27.26

Crowell Recognized Among Top Firms in Legal 500 EMEA 2026

Brussels – March 27, 2026: The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) 2026 edition has recognized 13 practice areas and nine lawyers in Crowell & Moring’s Brussels office....

View All Insights

Recognition

  • Chambers Europe: Belgium, Competition: Domestic, Band 1, 2009–present 
  • Chambers Europe: Belgium, TMT: Telecommunications, Spotlight Table, 2017–present
  • Legal 500 EMEA: Belgium, Competition Belgian Law, Leading Partner, 2020–present
  • Legal 500 EMEA: Belgium, Industry Focus: IT & Telecoms, Hall of Fame, 2016–present
  • Legal 500 EMEA: Belgium, Industry Focus: Media & Entertainment, Hall of Fame, 2016–present
  • Awarded in 2015 by Global Law Experts as “TMT Sector Competition Lawyer of the Year” in Belgium
  • Recognized in 2017 by Leaders League as a Leading Partner in ICT
  • Recognized by Who’s Who Legal for TMT

Thomas's Insights

Firm News | 2 min read | 03.27.26

Crowell Recognized Among Top Firms in Legal 500 EMEA 2026

Brussels – March 27, 2026: The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) 2026 edition has recognized 13 practice areas and nine lawyers in Crowell & Moring’s Brussels office....

View All Insights

Insights

Firm News | 2 min read | 03.27.26

Crowell Recognized Among Top Firms in Legal 500 EMEA 2026

Firm News | 2 min read | 03.24.26

Chambers Ranks Crowell & Moring Lawyers and Practices in 2026 Europe Guide

Client Alert | 9 min read | 03.18.26

The Belgian Competition Authority's 2026 Priorities: What In-House Counsel Need to Know

Firm News | 2 min read | 12.02.25

Global Competition Review Recognizes Crowell & Moring’s Antitrust and Competition Group in 2026 “GCR 100”

View All Insights