Education

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

Admissions

  • Belgium
  • European Court

Languages

  • Dutch (Fluent)
  • English
  • French (Fluent)
  • German (Conversational)

Thomas De Meese

Partner
tdemeese@crowell.com
+32.2.282.1842

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, the activities of trade associations, etc. 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.

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

Thomas was awarded in 2015 by Global Law Experts as "TMT Sector Competition Lawyer of the Year" in Belgium. He was also recognized in the 2015 and 2016 editions of Chambers Europe in the areas of telecommunications and competition law. In addition, Thomas was recommended in the 2015 and 2016 editions of the Legal 500 EMEA for Competition and Media and Entertainment. He is praised for his "extensive knowledge," "hands-on, no-nonsense approach" and "drive for excellence." In 2017, Thomas was recognized by Leaders League as a Leading Partner in ICT. In that same year, Chambers Europe described him as “an expert in Belgian domestic competition law with particular expertise in the TMT sector. He also advises on a mixture of state aid matters, with a number of recent cases to his name.” With particular regard to the TMT sector, Chambers Europe portrays Thomas as “a well-known practitioner with extensive experience in the media and telecoms sectors” and a lawyer who is “singled out for his work in the areas of competition, technology and gambling legislation.” In 2017, Legal 500 EMEA emphasized Thomas’ privacy and data protection knowledge by calling him “an expert in TMT-related privacy issues.” In 2018, Thomas was listed in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame for IT and Telecoms.

Legal Rankings

  • Personally ranked in Chambers Europe for Competition law and for his TMT industry knowledge.
    • “an important figure in the firm's domestic competition law practice” (2020)
    • “combines ‘both legal and business knowledge with an excellent feeling for the sensitivities of our specific business’” (2019)
    • “knows telecoms work inside out” “helpful and responsive” “an ‘outstanding’ lawyer, who offers ‘excellent support’” (2018)
    • “a well-known practitioner with extensive experience in the media and telecoms sectors” “singled out for his work in the areas of competition, technology and gambling legislation (2017)
    • “sources note his ‘responsiveness and hands-on, customer-friendly approach” (2016)
    • “has ‘a very open approach, which means we feel comfortable approaching him’”a very intelligent and well-prepared lawyer” (2012)
  • Member of the Legal 500 EMEA Hall of Fame for IT and Telecoms and Leading Individual for Industry Focus: Media and Entertainment. Thomas is also recommended for Competition: Belgian LawCompetition: EU and Global and in the separate category of Dispute Resolution
    • “excellent firm, high-quality service. Very professional. Would recommend it to anybody” (2020)
    • “has vast expertise in BCA merger reviews, as well as investigations into abuses of dominance and cartels” (2020)
    • “highly regarded for his expertise in competition law” (2019)
    • “highly regarded” (2018)
    • “put[s] things in perspective” “an expert in TMT-related privacy issues” (2017)
    • “excellent preparation, response time and accurate advice” (2014)
    • “extensive knowledge” “a hands-on, no-nonsense approach and a drive for excellence” (2013)
  • Recognized by, among others, Global Law Experts and the Corporate INTL Magazine as TMT Sector Competition Lawyer of the Year.
  • Recognized by Leaders League as a Leading Partner in ICT.
  • Recognized by Who’s Who Legal for TMT.


Affiliations

Professional Activities and Memberships

  • IBA


Representative Matters

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


Insights


Speeches & Presentations



Publications

  • "Handboek Gezondheidsrecht," (2nd edition), Intersentia, Reeks Gezondheidsrecht (September 2022). Contributor: Thomas De Meese.
  • "Spanningsveld tussen de motiveringsplicht uit de wetgeving overheidsopdrachten en het mededingingsrecht," Tijdschrift voor Belgische Mededinging (February 2021). Authors: Charles-Henri de La Vallée Poussin, Thomas De Meese & Alexis Walckiers.
  • "Dealing With COVID-19 Contract Issues In The Events Industry," Law360 (May 5, 2020). Authors: Thomas De Meese, and Jan-Diederik Lindemans.
  • "Antitrust in the Digital Age," Crowell & Moring's Regulatory Forecast 2020 (February 26, 2020). Contributors: Shawn R. Johnson, Wm. Randolph Smith, Jeane A. Thomas, Andrew I. Gavil, Gail D. Zirkelbach, Alexis J. Gilman, Jason C. Murray, Lisa Kimmel, and Thomas De Meese.
  • "EU Court Clarifies the Application of the EU Legal Framework for the Electronic Communications Sector to Over-the-Top Services (C-142/18 Skype and C-193/18 Google)" European Competition and Regulatory Law Review, Vol. 3, Issue 3 (2019). Authors: Thomas De Meese and Karl Stas.
  • "Chapter 7: Belgium," International Comparative Legal Guide to: Cartels & Leniency 2019 (November 2018). Author: Thomas De Meese.
  • "Voorlopige maatregelen door de Belgische Mededingingsautoriteit: stand van zaken na 5 jaar prima facie-vaststellingen onder Boek IV van het Wetboek economisch recht," Tijdschrift voor Belgisch Handelsrecht, 2018/8 (October 2018). Co-Author: Thomas de Meese; Collaborators: Evi Mattioli, Adélaïde Nys, Laura van Kruijsdijk, and Ava Erma.
  • "Chapter 7: Belgium," International Comparative Legal Guide to: Cartels & Leniency 2018 (November 2017). Author: Thomas De Meese.
  • "Chapter 5: Belgium," The International Comparative Legal Guide to Cartels & Leniency 2017, 10th Edition, Global Legal Group (2017). Author: Thomas De Meese.
  • "The New European General Data Protection Regulation," Crowell & Moring (October 2016). Contributors: Thomas De Meese, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Maarten Stassen, and Frederik Van Remoortel.
  • "De aansprakelijkheid van nieuwswebsites na de Delfi- en Magyar-arresten van het EHRM: Much Ado About Nothing?" [The Liability of News Websites after the Delfi and Magyar Rulings of the ECHR: Much Ado About Nothing?], Computerrecht [Computer Law], 101-112 (April 2016). Co-Authors: Karel Janssens and Thomas De Meese.
  • "2015 Antitrust M&A Year in Review," Crowell & Moring LLP (January 2016). Co-Authors: Wm. Randolph Smith, Olivier N. Antoine, Sean-Paul Brankin, Dr. Salomé Cisnal de Ugarte, Thomas De Meese, Shawn R. Johnson, Lisa Kimmel, Arthur N. Lerner, Mary Anne Mason, Joseph M. Miller, Jeane A. Thomas, Ryan C. Tisch, and Michael G. Van Arsdall.
  • "Belgium: Cartels & Leniency 2016," The International Comparative Legal Guide, Global Legal Group, Ninth Edition (2016). Contributor: Thomas De Meese.
  • "De sperperiode: alea non iacta est, de pogingen van de wetgever ten spijt," The Pre-Sales Period: Alea Non Iacta Est, Despite the Legislator's Attempts], Jaarboek Handelspraktijken & Mededinging [Yearbook Commercial Practices and Competition 2014], 334-359 (December 2015). Co-Authors: Karel Janssens and Thomas De Meese.
  • Chapter 7 Belgium, "The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Cartels & Leniency 2014," published by Global Legal Group Ltd, London - www.iclg.co.uk (Winter 2014). Author: Thomas De Meese.
  • Chapter 7 Belgium, "The International Comparative legal Guide to: Cartels & Leniency 2011," published by Global Legal Group Ltd, London - www.iclg.co.uk (2011). Author: Thomas De Meese.
  • "Leniency Regimes, Jurisdictional comparisons," European Lawyer, 3th edition (2010). Author of the Belgian Chapter: Thomas De Meese.
  • "European Commission Accepts Commitments from Rambus in 'Patent Ambush' Case," Journal of European Competition Law & Practice (May 2010). Author: Thomas De Meese.
  • "Chapter 5 Belgium," The International Comparative legal Guide to: Cartels & Leniency 2009, published by Global Legal Group Ltd, London – www.iclg.co.uk (2009). Author: Thomas De Meese.
  • "De Europeesrechtelijke beoordeling van nationale gokwetgevingen," [Case law annotation regarding the conformity of the Belgian gambling legislation with EU law after the Customer Service Agency decision of the Antwerp Court of First Instance], TBH (2008). Co-Authors: Christoph De Preter and Thomas De Meese.
  • "Leniency Regimes, Jurisdictional comparisons," European Lawyer, 2nd edition (2007). Author of the Belgian Chapter: Thomas De Meese.
  • "Het aansprakelijkheidsregime voor ISP's en andere tussenpersonen in de wet elektronische handel: onbekend en onbemind…" [Case law annotation regarding ISP liability after the Seniorennet decision of the Antwerp Court of First Instance], TBH (2007). Co-Authors: Christoph De Preter and Thomas De Meese.
  • "IT and Information Highways," De Ondernemer (2006). Author: Thomas De Meese.
  • "The ruling dated January 9, 2002 by the Belgian Cour d'Arbitrage," Revue belge de Droit Commercial (2002). Author: Thomas De Meese.
  • "The ruling dated October 25, 2001 by the Belgian Supreme Court in Iverlek v. Radio Public," Revue belge de Droit Commercial (2002). Author: Thomas De Meese.
  • "Commercial Communications," Febelmi (May 2001). Author: Thomas De Meese.
  • Adverteren op Internet (February 1999). Author: Thomas De Meese.
  • Annuaire Pratiques du Commerce & Concurrence (1997-1999). Member of Editorial Board: Thomas De Meese.
  • "Dwanglicenties en Mededingingsrecht: Magill, a Story of Hope, Fear and Disappointment," IRDI (1996). Author: Thomas De Meese.
  • "Quelques Considérations Concernant la Notion de Dominance Collective," Jaarboek Handelspraktijken & Mededinging (1996). Author: Thomas De Meese.
  • "Intellectual Property Rights of Europe," John Wiley & Sons, London (1995). Co-Author of Belgian Chapter: Thomas De Meese.


Client Alerts & Newsletters



Press Coverage



Firm News & Announcements

March 20, 2023 Chambers Ranks Six Crowell Lawyers and Four Practice Groups in 2023 Europe Guide
December 22, 2022 Global Competition Review Recognizes Crowell & Moring’s Antitrust & Competition Group in "GCR 100 2023"
April 13, 2022 Legal 500 EMEA Ranks Crowell & Moring in 11 Practice Areas and Recognizes Seven Lawyers
March 18, 2022 Chambers Ranks Five Crowell Lawyers and Four Practice Groups in 2022 Europe Guide
April 16, 2021 Legal 500 EMEA Ranks Crowell & Moring in 11 Practice Areas and Recognizes Seven Lawyers
March 24, 2021 Chambers Ranks Seven Lawyers and Four Practice Groups in 2021 Europe Guide
April 27, 2020 Legal 500 EMEA Recommends Crowell & Moring in 11 Practice Areas and Recognizes 13 Lawyers
April 9, 2020 Chambers Ranks Seven Lawyers and Four Practice Groups in 2020 Europe Guide
April 16, 2019 Legal 500 EMEA Recommends Crowell & Moring in 11 Practice Areas and Recognizes 14 Lawyers
March 21, 2019 Chambers Ranks 7 Crowell & Moring Lawyers and 6 Practice Groups in 2019 Europe Edition
February 22, 2019 Crowell & Moring's Antitrust Group Listed as "Highly Recommended" in Global Competition Review's 19th Annual "GCR 100"
April 25, 2018 Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa Recommends Crowell & Moring in 11 Practice Areas and Recognizes Three Individuals
March 13, 2018 Chambers Ranks Six Lawyers and Six Practice Groups Among Best in 2018 Europe Guide
May 11, 2017 Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa Recommends Crowell & Moring in 12 Practice Areas and Names Three Lawyers to Leading Individuals List
April 26, 2017 Thomas De Meese Named Co-Managing Partner of Crowell & Moring’s Brussels Office, Joining Kristof Roox
April 24, 2017 Chambers Ranks Five Lawyers and Six Practice Groups Among Best in Belgium in 2017 Europe Guide
May 5, 2016 Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa Recommends Crowell & Moring in 11 Practice Areas and Names Three Lawyers to Elite List
May 1, 2016 Chambers Europe Ranks Six Crowell & Moring Attorneys and Four Leading Practice Areas Among Best in Belgium
May 5, 2015 Chambers Ranks 12 Attorneys and Eight Groups in 2015 Global, Europe, and U.K. Guides
April 8, 2015 Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa Recommends Crowell & Moring in Seven Practice Areas and Names Four Lawyers to Elite List
July 1, 2014 25 Crowell & Moring Lawyers Recognized by The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers 2014
April 24, 2014 Chambers Europe Recognizes Five Crowell & Moring Attorneys and Four Practice Areas As Best In Class
April 10, 2014 Legal 500 EMEA Recommends Crowell & Moring in Six Practice Areas and Names Three Attorneys to Elite List
May 1, 2013 Chambers Europe Recognizes Six Crowell & Moring Attorneys and Five Practice Areas as Best in Class
April 1, 2013 Legal 500 EMEA Recommends Crowell & Moring in Seven Practice Areas and Names Three Attorneys to Elite List
May 11, 2012 Chambers Europe 2012 Ranks Five Crowell & Moring Attorneys and Five Practice Areas as Best in Class
April 6, 2012 Legal 500 EMEA Recommends Crowell & Moring in Six Practice Areas and Names Two Attorneys to Elite Leading Lawyers List
March 26, 2012 Chambers Global 2012 Ranks Six Crowell & Moring Attorneys and Four Practice Groups
May 20, 2011 Chambers Europe 2011 Ranks Four Crowell & Moring Attorneys and Three Practice Areas as Best in Class
March 21, 2011 Chambers Global Ranks Five Crowell & Moring Partners and Three Practice Groups
May 21, 2010 Chambers Europe Ranks Four Crowell & Moring Attorneys And Four Practice Areas As Among Best In Class
May 1, 2010 Ten Crowell & Moring Lawyers and Nine Practice Areas Ranked in PLC Which Lawyer?
April 23, 2009 Chambers Europe Ranks Two Crowell & Moring Attorneys And Three Practice Areas As Among Best In Class
April 1, 2009 Legal 500 EMEA Recommends Crowell & Moring In Seven Practice Areas
January 1, 2009 Chambers Global Ranks Two Crowell & Moring Attorneys And Four Practice Areas As Among Best In Class
October 24, 2008 Crowell & Moring Client Scarlet Obtains a First Positive Decision in Sabam vs. SA Scarlet Extended
March 27, 2008 Eight Crowell & Moring Lawyers Ranked In PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook
May 2, 2007 Legal 500 EMEA Recommends Crowell & Moring in Seven Practice Areas
April 12, 2007 Seven Crowell & Moring Attorneys Ranked in PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook
March 24, 2005 PLC Which lawyer? Yearbook Recommends Crowell & Moring in Intellectual Property, Life Sciences Intellectual Property and Telecommunications