Yvette Verleisdonk, Partner
I have a specific interest and passion for social enterprises and impact investments. In addition, I have extensive knowledge about and experience with innovatif impact finance (including social impact bonds, blended finance and impact linked loans) and innovative governance structures (such as steward ownership). I have also been advising Belgian and international companies in connection to financings, restructurings, governance, M&A and investments for more than 30 years.
Since 2015, I developed the (social) entrepreneurship and impact investing practice at Curia. I am now pursuing this at Aurion.
Before joining Curia in 2015, I was during twenty years a partner in an international law firm, where I led the finance practice and worked successively in the offices in New York, Rotterdam and Brussels. During this period I first specialised in M&A, private equity and corporate law, then in finance and (solvent and insolvent) restructurings. In my current practice I also advise companies in these areas.
I am a director in several Belgian and international organizations.
In addition, I am co-author of a book on legal due diligence in M&A transactions, author of a book on the liability of the EEC for valid legislative acts and co-author of a book on women-friendly HR policies.
I am a regular speaker at seminars, including on social impact bonds.
Jointly with other female partners of international law firms, I set up Women in Law and Leadership (WILL) in 2007, a program that aims to support the careers of women in law firms.
In 1986, I obtained a Master's degree in French language and literature from the Catholic University of Nijmegen, the Netherlands; in 1989, I obtained a Master's degree in law from the University of Leiden, the Netherlands (cum laude) and in 1993 a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Business and Trade Law from Fordham University, New York (magna cum laude). I am a member of the Brussels Bar (as of 2000) and a former member of the Rotterdam (1996 - 2015) and New York (1994 - 2015) bars.
Aurion's non-profit and social profit team is ranked in the highest category (top tier) of the Legal 500 in the category ‘not-for-profit Belgium’ (2022). Legal 500 EMEA (2022) lists me as 'Leading Individual' in the category not-for-profit (which includes social profit) Belgium with following comments from clients:
“Yvette Verleisdonk is a very dedicated professional with a passion for the social sector and impact investing. She is very responsive, punctual, available and willing to go the extra mile. It has been a pleasure working with her, both because of the service and the gentle approach.”
“I have never worked with a lawyer who is as professional as Yvette Verleisdonk. Yvette combines outstanding legal skills, very extensive experience and is very dedicated. She can be very detailed, if need be, but also always has the broader picture in mind, and keeps reflecting on better ways to solve the issues at hand. Furthermore, she listens well to the issues, delivers in the time promised, and she is very nice to work with.”
“The team is super responsive, always follows up, communicates clearly the next steps and delivers in agreed timeframe.”