Best law firms

Brussels Office Since:

Firm Description

With a presence in over 40 countries across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, DLA Piper is one of the world’s leading global law firms. We combine deep local insight with a fully integrated international platform to support clients across jurisdictions, sectors and regulatory environments.

A core pillar of the firm’s offering is its Regulatory, Trade & Government Affairs practice – with teams based in Brussels, London and Washington DC – which brings together legal, regulatory and public policy expertise to help clients navigate complex and evolving legislative and geopolitical landscapes at both EU and global level.

The firm advises multinational corporations, financial institutions, governments and public bodies, including more than half of the Fortune 250 and nearly half of the FTSE 350 or their subsidiaries. Through our global network, we provide seamless, cross-border advice to help clients manage risk, respond to regulatory change and pursue strategic opportunities worldwide.

Owner Structure

Limited Liability Partnership.

International Structure

DLA Piper’s global footprint spans more than 40 countries across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, enabling us to support clients on complex legal and regulatory challenges across multiple jurisdictions.

Our integrated international platform brings together legal, regulatory and policy expertise, allowing us to provide coordinated, cross-border advice in an increasingly interconnected and fast-evolving global environment.

Our Brussels Regulatory, Trade & Government Affairs practice works closely with colleagues across our key international hubs, including Washington DC and London, and draws on our wider network of country-specific experts to support engagement at national level where required. This integrated approach enables us to guide clients through geopolitical developments, evolving trade dynamics and regulatory divergence affecting cross-border operations, while ensuring consistent, high-quality service worldwide.

Key Strengths

The DLA Piper Regulatory, Trade & Government Affairs team combines deep legal expertise with high-level policy insight to support clients navigating complex EU and global regulatory environments. We advise at the intersection of law, policy and business, helping clients understand, anticipate and shape regulatory developments affecting their operations.

Our practice is consistently ranked Band 1 (Chambers Regulatory: Government & Public Affairs) and operates as a fully integrated global team, with a strong EU centre of gravity and close coordination across our international network. We are particularly recognised for our ability to combine technical legal analysis with a practical understanding of how legislative and regulatory processes operate in practice.

Our team brings together highly regarded regulatory lawyers and experienced policy professionals, including former officials from EU institutions and national governments. This combination enables us to provide legally robust advice that is grounded in a clear understanding of institutional dynamics and decision-making processes.

• We offer:
  EU regulatory and policy advice: clear, actionable guidance on complex EU and cross-border regulatory frameworks, with a strong focus on translating legal requirements into practical business solutions
• Integrated legal and policy support: advice that combines legal analysis with an understanding of legislative processes, enabling clients to navigate and engage effectively with regulatory developments
• Sector-focused regulatory expertise: particular strengths across ESG and sustainability, sanctions and export control, digital and technology, life sciences and consumer products, reflecting key areas of EU regulatory activity
• Trade and geopolitical risk: strategic advice on EU and global trade, sanctions and foreign investment screening regimes in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment
• Regulatory enforcement and investigations: support on regulatory risk, enforcement exposure and response strategies, including in high-stakes and cross-border matters
• Market access and regulatory approvals: guidance on EU market entry, product compliance and supply chain risk, including in highly regulated sectors
  • Policy insight and anticipation: early analysis of legislative and policy developments, helping clients anticipate change and position themselves effectively

Number of Public Affairs Consultants

Key Clients

Client currently listed: Anthropic, Equinix, GVS, Unilever, Coca Cola, ArgenX, ESAB

Thought Leadership

The team contributes to numerous informal Brussels groups and is extremely active in a number of projects that aid the plight of asylum seekers from Afghanistan and more recently from Ukraine. We also work in supply chain protection and contribute to industry leadership in the EU.

Testimonials and why clients like to work with us

“Richard has a rare ability to understand our business needs as well as the policy influencing our company – that’s why we use him.”

“DLA Piper have been much more than a law firm to us. They are trusted advisors that cut through the clutter and see what is needed.”