Isabelle is a core member of the Belgian tax team and specialises in Belgian and international tax law.
Her practice is strongly transaction driven, with a particular focus on the structuring of investment funds, private equity deals, corporate reorganisations & restructurings, financial transactions, real estate transactions and management & employee incentive plans. Another important pillar of Isabelle’s practice is tax risk management and representing clients in Belgian and European tax investigations and litigation.
Isabelle works for clients in a wide range of sectors, including private equity, private debt, energy, chemicals & utilities, infrastructure, consumer & retail and FIG.
Expertise
Industries
Experience
Representative matters
Ackermans & van Haaren, the founding Maas family, and management, on the disposal of, and partial re-investment in, the Manuchar group, a leading Antwerp-headquartered distributor of chemical products in emerging markets, to private equity firm Lone Star Funds.
CFE and DEME on the tax aspects of a partial demerger (spin-off) resulting in the separate listing of DEME, a world leader in dredging, land reclamation, marine infrastructure, offshore energy and environmental remediation.
Incofin Investment Management on the structuring and setting up of a European feeder fund for its USD 77m Indian master fund, Incofin India Progress Fund.
Uniper and E.ON in legal proceedings in Belgium, claiming damages from the Belgian State due to the incorrect implementation of the European Energy Tax Directive.
Pro bono
Isabelle regularly publishes articles on tax topics and is an active member of the tax and legal committee of the Belgian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (BVA).
Relevant experience include advising:
Ackermans & van Haaren, the founding Maas family, and management, on the disposal of, and partial re-investment in, the Manuchar group, a leading Antwerp-headquartered distributor of chemical products in emerging markets, to private equity firm Lone Star Funds.
CFE and DEME on the tax aspects of a partial demerger (spin-off) resulting in the separate listing of DEME, a world leader in dredging, land reclamation, marine infrastructure, offshore energy and environmental remediation.
Incofin Investment Management on the structuring and setting up of a European feeder fund for its USD 77m Indian master fund, Incofin India Progress Fund.
Published Work
- Panis I., Baete R. (2022) “Oost west, thuis best: de kwalificatie van werkzaamheden verricht in of vanuit de woning als een vaste inrichting”, Tijdschrift voor Fiscaal Recht, T.F.R. 2022/14, Brussels
- Delfosse G. and Panis I. (2019), “Aspects fiscaux du nouveau code des sociétés et des Associations”, Revue générale de fiscalité et de comptabilité pratique, 6/2019, pp. 18-45, Mechelen
- Panis I. (2018), Kapitaalverminderingen voortaan gedeeltelijk belastbaar”, Fiscoloog, 1552, p.2, Roeselare
- Panis I. (2016), “Gemeenschappelijke heffingsgrondslag: deze keer wel succesvol?”, Fiscoloog Internationaal, 396, p. 1, Roeselare
Speaking Engagements
- Guest Speaker, ELTIF 2.0, BEAMA Webinar, 28/03/2023
- Speaker, Private Equity Tax Trends 2022, BVA T&LC Workshop, 22/06/2022
Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations
- Tax & Legal Committee Member, Belgian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (BVA)
- Member, International Fiscal Association (IFA) Belgium
- Member, Belgian Association of Tax Lawyers (BATL)
Recognition
“Isabelle is responsive, sharp and very convincing. She's able to find the arguments that are advantageous for all of us. She provides clear-cut answers and proposes a way forward.”
Chambers Europe, 2023
“Isabelle Panis is very responsive and clear in her answers. She is super pragmatic, able to think along with customers and a really enjoyable lawyer to work with.”
Chambers Europe, 2022
Awards
- Rising Star for Tax and Belgium, IFLR
- Rising Stars Awards Europe, 2020
Qualifications
Admissions
Admitted to the Brussels bar as lawyer (advocaat), 2010
Admitted to the Brussels bar as lawyer-trainee (advocaat-stagiair), 2007
Academic
Master in European Tax Law, ESSF-ICHEC Brussels, 2009
LLM (Law & Economics), University of Bologna, University of Hamburg, Erasmus University Rotterdam and University of California, Berkeley, 2007
Master in Law, University of Leuven (KUL), 2006
Bachelor in Law, University of Namur (FUNDP), 2003
Languages
Dutch, English, French
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.