Bird & Bird appoints Tax disputes specialist Olivier Bertin as partner in Brussels

Olivier joins Bird & Bird from his role at Daldewolf, where he co-headed the legal tax team. Bringing over 30 years of experience to the firm, Olivier specialises in tax litigation working closely with leading Belgian businesses across the media, tech, life sciences and not-for-profit sectors. He also advises on other areas of tax law, including restructurings, tax planning, due diligence, advance tax rulings, local taxes, stock option plans and international employment matters. Olivier is also a tax litigation professor at Belgian universities UCLouvain and ULiège.

Bird & Bird’s renowned Tax team in Brussels, led by Brent Springael specialising in research & development (R&D) and innovation tax work, will be further reinforced by the arrival of two new associates, including Julien Colson and Inesse Akalay, and anticipates additional recruits. Alongside Brent, Olivier will take the lead on the growing number of tax disputes and enable the team to advise clients on disputes as well as consultancy matters.

Anne Federle and Benoit van Asbroeck, co-heads of Bird & Bird’s Brussels office, say: “We are very excited to welcome Olivier to the Brussels office at Bird & Bird. As a seasoned tax litigator, Olivier is a strong addition to our team and will further build our tax practice alongside tax partner Brent Springael. Welcome to the team Olivier!”

Andy Brown, head of the Tax practice at Bird & Bird says: “As the Belgian tax market becomes more and more complex, Olivier’s arrival at the firm will not only be key to help us advise our clients on tax disputes but also R&D, innovation and technology-focused incentives. His excellent reputation in tax litigation will diversify and expand our tax practice in Brussels.”

Olivier says: “I’m very much looking forward to working with the tax team to provide a comprehensive tax offering for our clients operating in Belgium. The prospect of working for an international firm with a global reach was what first attracted me to Bird & Bird, and I’m excited to play a key role in the tax team’s expansion and strategic direction in Brussels.”