Simmons raids Linklaters for five-lawyer Brussels real estate team

Simmons & Simmons has hired Linklaters real estate partner Yves Moreau and four associates in Brussels, expanding its Belgian transactional practice.

Moreau previously served as Linklaters’ global head of real estate between 2011 and 2017 and led its Belgian real estate practice.

His work includes advising AG Insurance on the €100 million sale of its entire stake in AG RE Office Invest II, the company owning Brussels’ City Center building.

He joins alongside managing associate Laura Vervier and associates Ségolène Michel, Caroline Bontinck and Noor Spapen.

Building in Brussels

The appointment makes Moreau Simmons’ fourth lateral partner hire in Brussels in 2026, following employment lawyer Stefan Nerinckx, tax partner Laurent Voisot and corporate partner Koen Vanhaerents who joined from Backer McKenzie in July to lead Simmons' corporate practice.

Simmons said Moreau's team would complement its existing corporate, finance and tax practices, strengthening its ability to advise on cross-border property transactions.

Eric Blomme, the firm’s Belgium country head, described Moreau’s arrival as “another important step in the growth of our Belgian offering”.

Moreau said Simmons had “clear ambitions for the growth of its European real estate practice”, pointing to the firm’s international network and strength across corporate, finance and tax.

Simmons opened its Brussels office in 1962, becoming the first City law firm to do so. The office now has 10 partners.

Another Magic Circle catch

The move is another example of Simmons recruiting from the Magic Circle. In January, it added former Slaughter and May derivatives head Oliver Wicker to its London structured finance and derivatives practice, securing a rare lateral hire from the firm’s partnership.

Seoul partner

For Linklaters, Moreau’s departure comes alongside the loss of its former Seoul managing partner Joo Hee Lee to Milbank.

Lee has joined the US firm’s global project, energy and infrastructure finance group in Seoul. And comes as part of a rebuild for Milbank following Seoul managing partner David Cho and special counsel Min Kim's departure to Dechert earlier this year

Her departure leaves Daniel Kwon as Linklaters’ only remaining partner based in Korea, according to the firm’s website. The capital markets specialist was appointed national managing partner for Seoul with effect from 1 November.