Rik Galle

Rik Galle is a lawyer specialised in corporate and association law, with nearly thirty years of experience advising companies, shareholders, directors and statutory auditors on complex legal and strategic matters.

At De Groote – De Man Advocaten, Rik focuses on advising Belgian and international companies and associations on general corporate and association law, corporate governance, restructurings, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and the implementation of the most suitable corporate structures. In addition, he assists shareholders, directors, statutory auditors and companies in corporate disputes and disciplinary proceedings.

Before joining De Groote – De Man in 2026, Rik spent more than 25 years working as a lawyer and Director Corporate M&A at Deloitte Legal. Prior to that, he started his career at Tournicourt & Vanistendael.

His practical experience combines in-depth legal expertise with a pragmatic and solution-oriented approach. Together with his clients, he seeks the most efficient strategy to achieve the intended objectives. His attentive listening skills, extensive experience and clear strategic vision make him a valued sparring partner for entrepreneurs, directors and companies.

Rik summarises his approach as follows:
“Good advice starts with listening. Only once I understand where the client wants to go can I map out the right legal path.”

Alongside his legal practice, Rik is actively involved in academia and professional education. Since 2015, he has been teaching “Mergers and Demergers” at Vives Continue as part of the postgraduate programme in corporate law. Since 2023, he has also taught “Legal Aspects of Non-Profit Organisations” at Ghent University within the FEB Academy of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration. Before that, he provided training for many years through Teleseminars.be, M&D Seminars (NCOI Learning), KVABB and KennisAteliers, including topics such as directors’ liability, mergers and demergers, prospectus regulation, dissolution and liquidation of companies, and corporate governance.

Outside the legal profession, Rik has a strong interest in history, particularly the First and Second World Wars. He is a member of several historical associations, including the “Vrienden van het Airborne Museum Hartenstein”, the Western Front Association Belgium, Stichting Auschwitz – Auschwitz in Gedachtenis, and Helden van het Verzet. Or, as he likes to put it himself: should you ever consider building a bunker, he may already be able to give you a few tips.

Publications:

LAGA, H., en GALLE, R., “Het administratiekantoor : Nieuwe rechtsfiguur voor het beheer van uw patrimonium”, in KONINKLIJKE FEDERATIE VAN BELGISCHE NOTARISSEN (ed.), Statutenwijziging doorgelicht (Verslagboek Notariële Vormingsdagen), Brugge, Uitgeverij Die Keure, 1999, p. 223 t.e.m. p. 266.

GALLE, R., “De hoofdelijke aansprakelijkheid van vennoten voor de belastingschulden in een onregelmatig opgerichte vennootschap onder firma”, noot onder Rb. TONGEREN, 10 juni 1998, T.F.R., 1999, p. 226 t.e.m. p. 228.

GALLE, R., “De aftrek als beroepskosten van minderwaarden op aandelen die geboekt worden naar aanleiding van het faillissement van een onderneming”, noot onder BRUSSEL, 19 februari 1999, T.F.R., 1999, p. 637 t.e.m. p. 641.

GALLE, R., “Aansprakelijkheid van de vereffenaar / Bevoegdheid van de Ontvanger”, noot onder BRUSSEL, 21 mei 1999, T.F.R., 2000, p. 590 t.e.m. p. 596.

GALLE, R., “Bijzondere vraagstukken : de uitgifte van obligaties door de VZW”, in D. BRULOOT and K. MARESCEAU (eds.), De obligatielening, Antwerpen, Intersentia, 2017, 499-510.