Unlocking exceptional opportunities

Offering unparalleled legal solutions for clients around the world.

Protecting strategic interests

Providing bespoke legal and public affairs services for clients across the globe.

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Acquis is a European law firm offering bespoke legal and public affairs services to European and International clients

We offer comprehensive solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. Led by experienced partners, our international team of lawyers and public affairs specialists is equipped to navigate the complexities of European and International law ensuring effective representation and advocacy.

At ACQUIS, we recognize the importance of integrating legal and public affairs strategies to achieve optimal outcomes. Whether you require expert legal counsel, court representation, government relations expertise, policy advocacy, or stakeholder engagement, we have the knowledge and skills to guide you through the intricate workings of European and International law in order to help you make informed decisions.

Our DNA is engraved with a client-focused approach and a commitment to excellence, We are dedicated to providing innovative solutions that drive success in an ever-evolving legal and regulatory landscape.

Meet our Partners

Valerijus Ostrovskis​

managing Partner

Yuri Shumilov​

Partner

William Julié​

Partner

Michael De Boeck

Partner

Miguel Ángel Caramello-Alvarez​

Partner

Bogdan Evtimov

Partner

News & Client Alerts

Valerijus Ostrovskis

Managing Partner

Valerijus Ostrovskis is the managing partner and head of the sanctions and export control practice of Acquis EU Law & Policy. He has extensive experience advising clients – leading multinational companies and foreign governments – on UN sanctions, EU sanctions and export control rules, as well as various other aspects of EU trade law and policy. He has advised European and international companies from a wide range of sectors on compliance with EU sanctions against Russia, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somali and other jurisdictions, and assisted clients in designing and implementing compliance sanctions and export control compliance programmes. Valerijus is recognised by clients and peers for his in-depth knowledge of sanctions and export control rules and his practical, clear, and business-oriented advice regarding the application of these rules to specific transactions and activities in a wide range of sectors.

Valerijus also regularly represents clients in cases involving complex  legal questions of EU law before the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Commission. He also advises and represents clients from a wide range of sectors, including technology, transport, tobacco, banking and finance and manufacturing, chemicals and fertilizers – in EU legislative and policy-making processes. He has designed designs and contributed to new models of corporate and foreign government representation in Brussels, including the setting up and management of various business councils and industry associations and federations, amongst other things. 

Valerijus holds an LL.M degree in Law and Economics from the University of Rotterdam and the University of Bologna, and a Masters of Law degree from the Vilnius University.

He is a qualified lawyer and member of the Lithuanian Bar Association and the of Brussels Bar (E-list).

He is fluent in English, Russian, Lithuanian, Spanish, Italian and French.

Publications

Yuri Shumilov

Partner

Yuri holds the position of Partner at ACQUIS, operating from the firm’s Brussels office.

With an extensive legal background, he is a recognized lawyer and solicitor in England & Wales. He holds membership in the Irish Bar and is an associated member of the Brussels Bar (B-list).

His career trajectory includes a notable 15-year tenure with a leading international law firm within the ‘magic circle’ in Moscow and London, further complemented by his role as General Counsel for a prominent Russian investment group. Yuri’s professional prowess is particularly distinguished in international mergers and acquisitions (M&A), cross-border financings, and navigating the complexities of sanctions.

At ACQUIS, Yuri focuses on sanctions litigations, and provides seasoned guidance on compliance-related issues to a diverse client base.

Yuri is multilingual, demonstrating proficiency in English, French, Russian, and Albanian, along with an intermediate command of Dutch.

 

Publications

William Julié

Partner

William is a Franco-British lawyer, specialized in international litigation.

He has developed a strong expertise in cross-border criminal matters, in particular extradition procedures and removal of INTERPOL notices, alongside an extended knowledge in financial crimes, asset recovery as well as human rights and compliance. 

He has acted for his clients before numerous local, European and international courts and institutions, such as the European Court of Human Rights, the Court of Justice of the European Union, as well as United Nations Committees and Working Groups.

During the past few years, William also specialized in sanctions work, whether within the United Nations or European Union frameworks or at the domestic level as part of autonomous sanctions regimes. His expertise covers all areas where sanctions may potentially impact a matter, such as: 

  • Evaluating how sanctions regimes may impact economic operations and advising on potential risk mitigation measures;
  • Supporting with license applications to competent authorities; 
  • Assisting with sanctions due diligence;
  • Advising in view of potential litigation to get delisted. 

In the past year, William has represented several clients before the Tribunal of the Court of Justice of the European Union to obtain the delisting of both natural persons and legal entities. 

William holds Master’s Degree in criminal law and criminal justice policy from the University Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne.

He is an attorney at the Paris and Brussels bars.

He is fluent in French and English.

Publications

Michael De Boeck

Partner

Michael specializes in EU trade law and dispute resolution. 

He has broad experience in litigation and arbitration by advising and representing clients in disputes relating to various sectors including commercial distribution, construction, banking and finance and customs-disputes in domestic courts and arbitral procedures. He recently advised clients in CEPANI and ICC arbitrations. Michael also has experience in international investment arbitration in the EMEA region on behalf of an investor. He remains academically active as a lecturer (university docent) at The Hague University of Applied Sciences where he teaches courses on EU Business Law and EU Law & Institutions.

Before joining Acquis, he was a partner at a premier Belgian independent law firm, a doctor-assistant in the law faculty of the College of Europe in Bruges and a Research Fellow at the Max Plank Institute in Luxembourg.

He holds a dual PhD from Ghent and Luxembourg University (2020), a Master of Laws from Ghent University (2013 – magna cum laude) and an LLM from Vanderbilt University (2014 – Dean’s List honors).

Michael is a dual-qualified lawyer at the Bar of Antwerp and New York.

He is fluent in Dutch, French and English.

michael.deboeck@acquislp.eu

Brussels office

Rue du Trône 98, 1050 Brussels

Publications

Miguel Ángel Caramello-Alvarez

Partner

Miguel is a regulatory and competition lawyer with more than a decade-long legal and public affairs experience in Brussels. He advises clients on EU and international rail transport law, competition law and state aid, foreign direct investments, foreign subsidies, public procurement, market access, and public policy. He provides regulatory and competition representation before the European Commission and other national and international authorities.

Drawing on his extensive experience in the rail sector, he offers representation to railway companies on state aid, infringement, and public procurement procedures at both EU and national levels. Miguel’s comprehensive knowledge of the EU rail regulatory framework enables him to provide sound legal guidance to railway operators and rail infrastructure managers on an extensive range of rail related matters. His expertise spans, among others, public service obligations, public service contracts, market access and essential functions. Miguel’s profound understanding of the rail sector has been recognized by Legal 500. His experience as chief legal officer for the main trade association representing railway and infrastructure companies across the European Union sets him apart.

Miguel provides strategic counsel to clients regarding foreign direct investment national screening mechanisms. He coordinates and manages complex multi-jurisdictional foreign investments notifications.

He holds a Masters in Advanced European Studies from the European College of Parma, as well as a Law Degree from the University of Navarra.

Miguel is admitted to the Bar in Brussels and in Pamplona.

He is fluent in Spanish, English, Italian and French.

Publications

Bogdan Evtimov

Partner

Bogdan is a first-class EU lawyer and litigator, having been a partner and director in top-10 global law firms and legal service providers. He is a recognised trade and antitrust/competition lawyer. He has particular experience in the energy sector with energy policy and energy regulation.

Highly experienced across various industries and cross-border trade regulation and policy, sanctions and export controls, abuse of dominance and merger control proceedings, EU Courts litigation, WTO matters, international treaties and new rules on foreign subsidies and foreign investments, Bogdan has been the backbone of successful legal teams in Brussels since 2001. Lately he has been involved in cross-Atlantic and cross-Channel work.

Bogdan is admitted to the bar in Sofia, Bulgaria and Brussels.

He is fluent in English, French, Russian and Bulgarian.

Publications