White collar and investigations partner Isabelle De Smedt joins Dentons Litigation practice

Brussels-Global law firm Dentons has strengthened its Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Compliance and Investigations practices in Belgium with the recruitment of partner Isabelle De Smedt. She joined the Brussels office on July 13, 2026.

A member of the Brussels Bar since 2008, Isabelle De Smedt has nearly two decades of experience advising multinational companies on white-collar defense, international investigations, sanctions, and export control. She began her career as a corporate and M&A lawyer before transitioning into regulatory compliance and investigations, and her M&A background continues to inform her approach to compliance due diligence and transactional risk today. She leads cross-border internal investigations and risk assessments, advises clients on anti-corruption frameworks such as the FCPA and UK Bribery Act, and helps them navigate the evolving EU and international sanctions landscape. She works extensively with clients in the life sciences and healthcare industries across the US, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Prior to joining Dentons, she was a partner at K&L Gates.

Isabelle De Smedt said, "Investigations and regulatory compliance do not stop at national borders. Whether the issues involve corruption, sanctions, export controls or other regulatory risks, clients require coordinated advice across multiple jurisdictions. Dentons' exceptional global reach and seamless collaboration across offices worldwide were key factors in my decision to join the firm. I look forward to working with colleagues across the globe to help clients navigate increasingly complex cross-border investigations and regulatory challenges."

Edward Borovikov, Belgium Co-managing Partner at Dentons, commented, "Isabelle's arrival will reinforce our Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice in Belgium as well as our pan-European white collar, compliance and investigations capabilities. Her deep expertise in anti-corruption, sanctions, and cross-border investigations will enhance our ability to support clients in navigating increasingly complex regulatory environments."

Tom Geudens, Belgium Co-managing Partner at Dentons, added, "Her arrival is part of our successful ongoing strategy to grow our Brussels office and strengthen capabilities in key practice areas. In addition to strengthening our Litigation and Compliance and Investigations teams, her background in M&A will create natural synergies with our transactional practices."

Dentons' global Litigation and Disputes Resolution practice brings together more than 1300 lawyers worldwide, including 10 in Belgium. Other significant hires to the team include partner Joris De Vos, who joined in 2025 to lead the Litigation practice in Brussels.

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