He has advised a wide range of listed and privately held corporate, private equity and financial companies on Belgian and cross-border M&A transactions, including restructuring, private M&A, capital markets (IPOs, secondary offerings and take-over bids), private equity and venture capital placements, real estate transactions, privatisations, mergers, joint ventures and reorganisations.
Michel’s experience covers a broad range of sectors, including energy, media, financial services, telecom, IT, retail, real estate, life sciences, aviation and biotech.
Before joining VBB, Michel worked in the Brussels and London offices of two international firms. He was also a blue book trainee at the European Commission, DG Competition.
He regularly lectures and writes on M&A matters.
Client, Chambers Global 2026, Corporate/M&A“Michel Bonne has outstanding commercial awareness and is super sharp and detailed. He always focuses on the business needs besides just offering pure legal advice.
Gedeon Richter, the largest Hungarian life sciences company, on its strategic EUR 175m distressed acquisition of Estetra and Neuralis from bankrupt Mithra Pharmaceuticals, the first pre-pack procedure for a listed company in Belgium.
Betsson, the leading Swedish betting company, with the successful EUR 120 million acquisition of the betFIRST group, one of the leading Belgian sports betting and gaming operators, through an auction process.
Bidfood on a buy-and-build strategy of large Belgian-based wholesalers of food products for restaurants and large kitchens, spanning over a decade and making it the largest food products wholesaler in Belgium.
Lakeland Dairies, an Irish global exporter of dairy products, in relation to the acquisition of European butterfat business De Brandt, structured through an asset deal and including a complex carve-out structure.
Aera Payment & Identification, a Norwegian online payment services company, on its acquisition of Digiteal, a Belgian authorised payment institution and a third-party payment service provider.
Shipit, a Belgian leading waterway transportation company, on the auction process set up by HES International for the acquisition of a majority stake in Somef, one of the key inland terminal operators in the Walloon Region.
Professional
Admitted to Brussels Bar, 2001
Academic
Universities of Brussels (KUB) and Leuven, Master of Corporate Law, 2004
University of Madrid, Master of European Law, 1999
Universities of Leuven, Copenhagen and Namur, Bachelor and Master of Laws, 1993-1998
Michel is recommended by all leading directories. Clients describe him as “very quick, very precise and very effective”. “He is a high-profile M&A lawyer who produces high-quality work. He is well regarded in both the legal and business community and is good at finding solutions and making people come together“.
They also say: “He’s very smart, he goes directly to the main point, he’s very direct and he’s a good negotiator”. “He gave us fresh perspectives, highlighted cultural differences, and had presence and poise when dealing with the other side“. He is “very sharp, calm and pleasant, and has an excellent team“. He is a “frontrunner” in the market whose “expertise is unrivalled“. He is “user-friendly” and “incredibly smart“. “Michel Bonne’s expertise is exceptional. He approached the entire process with a strategic mindset, aiming to understand the driving forces and objectives of the various stakeholders…”
Chambers Global and Chambers Europe for Corporate/M&A
Chambers Europe – ‘Leaders In Their Field’ (Corporate/M&A)
PLC for Corporate/M&A
Legal 500 for Corporate/M&A
IFLR1000 for M&A
Lexology Index M&A
