Global law firm White & Case LLP has expanded its Global Mergers & Acquisitions Practice with the addition of Carlo Meert as a partner in Brussels.

The addition of Carlo will further build out our private equity capabilities in EMEA, as well as expand our wider M&A practice in Belgium, said White & Case partner John Reiss, Head of the Global Mergers & Acquisitions Practice. Carlo's arrival also supports our focus on building a practice to cover the full financial sponsor market across the region, making White & Case best placed to advise private equity firms on their outbound and inbound transactions there.

Meert advises private equity firms and corporates on cross-border transactions, particularly mergers & acquisitions and corporate finance transactions, as well as advising on general corporate matters. Meert joins White & Case from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.

Carlo has advised on some of the most significant M&A and private equity transactions in Belgium over the past 15 years and is a rising star in the Belgium market, said White & Case partner Thierry Bosly, Regional Section Head, EMEA M&A/Private Equity. As a Dutch speaker, Carlo will complement our existing capabilities in Belgium and EMEA.

Partner Oliver Brettle, a member of White & Case's global Executive Committee, said: M&A and private equity are of ongoing strategic importance to the Firm, as demonstrated by the continued growth and success of our Global Private Equity Industry Group in EMEA. Carlo's arrival follows a number of private equity lateral partner additions and promotions, including the recent addition in London of partners Ross Allardice and Tony Brown from Dechert and in Paris partner Xavier Petet from Clifford Chance, as well as the recent promotion to partner of four private equity lawyers in EMEA, including Thomas Glauden in Brussels.