Fieldfisher Strengthens Brussels Regulatory Practice with Two Experienced Partner Hires
12th January 2026
European law firm Fieldfisher has further strengthened its regulatory offering in the Brussels office with the arrival of Hendrik Viaene as Partner in Competition and Bobby Arash as Partner in the EU Regulatory team, both effective 5 January 2026. This strategic investment deepens the firm’s ability to advise clients on complex regulatory and competition matters across the EU single market.
Hendrik Viaene focuses his practice on European Union and Belgian competition law, regulated markets and regulatory law. Throughout his career he has built his reputation advising on state aid, cartels, licensing agreements, global merger control and filings, M&A negotiations, abuse of dominance, distribution agreements, the Foreign Subsidies Regulation and Belgian FDI control. He represents governments and companies before the European Commission, the European Court of Justice, national competition authorities and courts, and has guided clients through first and second phase merger clearances across multiple jurisdictions. He has a wealth of experience in a range of sectors, including energy, chemicals, financial services and technology.
Hendrik joins the firm from McDermott Emery and Schulte.
Bobby Arash brings more than two decades of experience spanning the European Commission, Swedish authorities and industry, with a track record advising on EU and national regimes affecting chemicals, biocides, agrochemicals, cosmetics, medical devices, food, ICT and defence. He is particularly known for science based regulatory work (EU law, environmental, EHS and data protection).
In addition to EU wide mandates, Bobby maintains an active Swedish practice, drawing on his experience within Swedish public authorities and across Sweden’s industrial sectors to help manufacturers and innovators navigate product and environmental regulation, market access and supply chain compliance.
Bobby joins the firm from Swedish law firm Ramberg Advokater.
Jean-Francois Germain, Managing Partner, Fieldfisher Belgium commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Bobby and Hendrik to Fieldfisher. These hires reflect a deliberate investment in our Brussels regulatory platform, strengthening our core capabilities in EU Regulatory and Competition. Bobby’s science led regulatory expertise and Hendrik’s competition credentials will enhance the way we support clients facing complex, cross border challenges as we continue to expand our team to meet client demand and anticipate future regulatory challenges.”
Hendrik Viaene added: “I am delighted to bring my competition practice to the firm's Brussels office. Competition and regulatory issues increasingly interlock. By combining Fieldfisher’s EU Regulatory strength with a robust Competition offering, we can deliver integrated strategies that help clients compete and grow confidently across the single market.”
Bobby Arash concluded: “With its focus on the life sciences sector, Fieldfisher is perfectly positioned to translate complex science and evolving EU rules into practical, defensible compliance. I’m excited to work across our European network and leverage my Swedish regulatory experience to help innovators derisk supply chains, secure market access, and accelerate responsible product development under today’s environmental and product safety frameworks.”
Fieldfisher's Brussels office is renowned for its extensive and experienced EU Regulatory practice, offering expert advice to clients on chemicals, life sciences, trade, competition and related public law issues.
The appointment of two new partners will significantly bolster the firm's local capabilities and the overall strength of Fieldfisher's international Regulatory and Competition practice. This practice already boasts an impressive team of over 150 lawyers spread across the firm's European offices and beyond.
By working together across borders, this team is fully equipped to provide integrated advice to clients, helping them navigate complex regulatory frameworks and competition challenges on a global scale. This collaborative approach ensures that Fieldfisher can deliver the best possible outcomes for clients, no matter where they are located.
For more information, please read the press release.
