Bar of Antwerp, trust is our foundation
Balie Antwerpen represents nearly 3,000 lawyers from the province of Antwerp and guards the quality, integrity and image of the legal profession. We strive for a strong and efficient Bar Association that promotes and defends the interests of our lawyers, all citizens and the rule of law every day.
Our vision
Quality and integrity:
We ensure that our lawyers deliver quality and ethically correct work by assisting them with advice, training and a strict but pragmatic disciplinary policy.
Efficient service:
We are committed to accessible, digitized services. We are always meticulously executing our legal duty to appoint pro bono lawyers and monitor their quality.
Advocacy:
We defend the interests of our lawyers and weight on the policies of the government, the magistracy and the Bar Association of Flanders.
Management and Leadership:
We aim for a professional, sustainable policy with a simplified, well-organised structure.
Communication:
We stand for a clear, proactive communication aiming for an increasing commitment and positive identification of our members with the Bar.
President of the Bar and Council
The Chief of Staff, elected annually by the members, leads the Order, defends the professional interests and represents the Order before the magistracy, government and other Orders. The Chief of Staff mediates disputes, investigates complaints and, if necessary, refers attorneys to the Disciplinary Council.
The Bar Council, the governing body of the Bar, consists of 16 elected members and is chaired by the Chief of Staff. The council decides on admission of lawyers and trainees, organizes internships and the Legal Aid Office, and establishes regulations.
Our departments
Meet our staff and council.
The council

Jo De Meester
Barrister

Nathalie Vermeersch
Deputy Chief

Eva Raepsaet

Katrien Crauwels
Pro barrister

Frédéric Thiebaut

Katrien Pacquée

Claudia Van de Velde

Alex Buelens

Avelien Van Der Veken

Stéphane Van Moorleghem

Floris Rousseau

Vera Verschueren

Marc Kips

Kjell Swartelé

Katrien Peysmans-De Rick

Sirine Ben Messaoud

Laura Van Gorp
The staff

Karen De Punt
Director

Caroline Schoonejans
Team leader Knowledge & Communications

Maarten Tys
Library Assistant

Jade Smeulders
Communications Officer

Marie Lentini
Team leader Office of Legal Assistance

Alex Deneef
Team leader a.i. & Legal Aid Office lawyer

David Apers
Team Attorney
File Manager

Team Attorney
File Manager

Team Attorney
File Manager

Team Attorney
File Manager

Team Attorney
File Manager

Kathleen Wouters
Team Justice
Receptionist

Team Lawyer
Advisor

Team Lawyer
Advisor

Team Lawyer
Advisor

Team Lawyer
Advisor

Team Lawyer
Advisor

Team Lawyer
Advisor

Team Lawyer
Advisor

Team Lawyer
Advisor

Katrien Segers

Elise Aertsen
Lawyer

Kenza De Colvenaer

Margot Vanbets

Julia Olcas
Lawyer

Lawyer

Liesbeth Van Laere

Administrative assistant

Bart Van Hoydonck

Lize Janssens
Career Officer

Stefanie Montes Garcia
Secretarial Assistant


Joyce Heyninckx
Facility employee

