Thomas Declerck
Image of Thomas Declerck

Thomas Declerck

Partner

Thomas’ practice focuses on white-collar crime and investigations, as well as commercial litigation in highly regulated sectors.

Heading up our Belgian white-collar team, Thomas has represented a broad range of high-profile corporates, senior individuals, and financial institutions on corporate and financial crime matters, including fraud, bribery and corruption, environmental pollution, social fraud and workplace misconduct, market abuse, breaches of financial regulation, money laundering and international sanctions.

In addition to his extensive experience at trial and in settlement negotiations with prosecutors, Thomas regularly assists clients in conducting internal investigations (often at the crossroads with criminal or regulatory investigations) and in implementing effective compliance programs.

Thomas also has a broad commercial litigation practice, with a particular focus on cybersecurity and the telecom and technology, financial services and life sciences sectors.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • A global wealth solutions provider in highly publicised criminal proceedings surrounding the bankruptcy of Optima, a Belgian financial planner and bank.
  • A multinational construction group as a defendant in criminal trial involving claims of public bribery and forgery in the context of a multimillion dollar project in a foreign jurisdiction.
  • Liberty Global against claims by FourWorld Capital following Liberty Global’s acquisition offer for Telenet.
  • A bank in relation to a CEO fraud involving deepfake technology causing major financial losses.
  • Premier league football club KV Mechelen in disciplinary, criminal and civil proceedings in Belgium and Switzerland relating to allegations of match fixing, bribery and money laundering.
  • The former risk officer of Fortis Bank in criminal and civil proceedings initiated in the wake of the sub-prime crisis and Fortis’ take-over of ABN Amro in 2007-2008.

Pro bono

  • Thomas provides pro bono advice to a range of not-for-profit organizations focused on supporting children and families at risk and transparency and accountability projects.

Recognition

Thomas Declerck's deep understanding of complex legal matters, combined with his strategic thinking and meticulous attention to detail, consistently leads to outstanding results.
Chambers Europe, 2025
Thomas Declerck's knowledge and pragmatism make him a very strong and trustworthy lawyer.
Chambers Europe, 2025

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted to the Brussels Bar, Belgium, 2011
Admitted to the Bar of the State of New York, USA, 2012

Academic

Master of Laws, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) - Summa cum laude, 2010
LLM in International Legal Studies, New York University (NYU) - BAEF Francqui Foundation Fellow, Honorary Fulbright Scholar and Dean’s Graduate Award, 2011 
Certificate Undergraduate Legal Studies (Erasmus Programme), King's College London, 2009 
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.