Harold Vanden Berghe

Harold Vanden Berghe is a versatile corporate lawyer, advising clients on international and domestic M&A and capital markets transactions, fund structuring and equity-based compensation plans.

Leveraging his extensive experience in advising on large M&A and capital markets transactions. Previously, Harold was a Senior Associate at Baker McKenzie, where he focused on M&A and private, series financing and capital markets.

Harold holds an LLM from the London School of Economics and a Master's degree (magna cum Laude) in Law from KU Leuven. He has been recognized as a "Key Lawyer" in the Legal 500 for Commercial, Corporate, and M&A in 2021 and 2022, underscoring his professional reputation and accomplishments in the field.

Harold is praised by clients by being "reliable, responsive and able to provide on the spot very good insights and advice on a large range of corporate matters” and “a very effective negotiator who knows how to navigate through a sensitive situation".

Known for his strategic mindset and determination, he also enjoys playing padel and mountaineering, having summited several peaks of over 7000m.

Professional background

Apr. 2025 - Present 

Avocat associé / Advocaat-vennoot, PwC Legal Belgium

Jun. 2020 - Apr. 2025

Senior Associate, Baker McKenzie
Secondment to KBC Securities in 2023

Sep. 2018 - Present

Assistant Lecturer in Corporate Law, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

Sep. 2015 - Jun. 2020

Associate in Brussels and Paris office, Freshfields

2014 - 2016 

Research Assistant in Financial Regulations, London School of Economics (LSE)

Academic Experience

• University of Leuven / Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) – Postgraduate in Corporate Finance (Summa cum Laude with congratulations of the examination board) (2017 – 2018) 

• London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) – LL.M. – Additional Advanced Corporate Finance Track in the Finance Department (high Merit) (2014 – 2015) 

• University of Leuven / Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) – Master of Laws – Electives in Financial and European Law (Magna cum Laude – Top 5%) (2012 – 2014) 

• Leiden University / Universiteit Leiden – Erasmus Exchange Program – Courses in Finance and European Law (GPA: 9,1/10 – Top 1%) (Fall Term 2013) 

• University of Cambridge – ELM program with seminars in Company and Trust Law (USL scholarship awarded - Selwyn scholar) (Summer Term 2012) 

• Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain – Campus Saint-Louis) – Bachelor of Science in Business Engineering (cum Laude – Top 10%) (2009 – 2012) 

• Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain – Campus Saint-Louis) – Bachelor of Laws (cum Laude – Top 10%) (2008 – 2011)