David Leys
Editors Insights
Welcome to The Fortune Leader’s special edi on
spotligh ng Europe’s Most Influen al People in Legal Services to Watch in 2025 a feature dedicated to the excep onal legal minds driving change across the con nent. These visionary professionals are not only experts in areas like interna onal trade, data privacy, intellectual property, and corporate law, but also pioneers shaping the future of jus ce, governance, and global business. Through innova on, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to legal integrity, they are redefining how law is prac ced in an increasingly complex world.
This edi on honors their achievements, explores their journeys, and highlights their contribu ons to making legal services more adap ve, ethical, and globally aligned. As law con nues to evolve alongside technology and interna onal rela ons, these individuals are se ng the standard for the next genera on of legal leadership.
This edi on proudly places David Leys on the cover as a dynamic a orney whose career spans con nents, courtrooms, and cu ng-edge regulatory arenas. With exper se in interna onal trade, GDPR, intellectual property, and corporate law, David stands as a beacon of legal innova on and strategic leadership. His work bridges legal precision with global insight, making him a key player in guiding clients through complex, fast-evolving legal landscapes.
As the legal sector undergoes transforma ve change driven by digitaliza on, shi ing policies, and global integra on leaders like David exemplify what it means to be futureready. Through prac ce, research, mentorship, and thought leadership, he is not only solving today’s challenges but ac vely shaping the frameworks of tomorrow
We invite our readers to discover the stories behind Europe’s top legal influencers. Their strength, foresight, and dedica on are paving the way for a legal system that is more agile, ethical, and globally a uned.
Editor-in-Chief
EDITORIAL TEAM
Editor-in-chief
Sco Edward
Sales & Marke ng Manager
Lily Hayler
Business Development Manager
Lauren Green, Millie Butler, Rosie Jonas
Business Development Execu ve
Victoria Ma hews, Ashley Tucker
Art and Design Director
Paul Brown
Research Analyst
Robert Smith
David Leys 10 Cover Story
David Leys
MeetDavidLeys,aglobalattorneywhoisa
memberoftheBrusselsBar,specializingin internationaltrade,dataprivacy(GDPR), intellectualproperty,antitrustandcompetitionaswellas corporateandcommercialcontracts.Davidpursuedhis legaleducationattheUniversitécatholiquedeLouvain,the CollegeofEurope,andColumbiaLawSchool,wherehe enhancedhisknowledgeofinternationalregulationsand cross-borderlegalframeworks.
TheProfessionalJourney
Davidreceivedtrainingatprestigiousinternationalfirms SidleyAustinandMcGuireWoods,whereheprovided counseltoFortuneGlobalfivehundredcompanies, governmentalbodies,andassociationsonissuesthat includedtraderemedies,customsdisputes,andcompliance withEUregulations.
Subsequently,Davidbroadenedhisexpertisetoencompass dataprivacyandcybersecurity,servingasanexternalData ProtectionOfficer(DPO)andofferingstrategicadviceon intricateGDPRimplementation,cross-borderdatatransfers, andthegovernanceofdigitalrisks.
Davidemphasizedthathisbackgroundinlitigationis equallyrobust,havingrepresentedclientsincourtmore than300timesacrossvarioustrialandappellatecourtsin Belgium,specificallyincommercial,intellectualproperty, andcontractualissues.Thispracticalcourtroomexperience shapeshislegalstrategyandprovidesclientswitha competitiveadvantageinnegotiation,enforcement,orrisk management.
Atpresent,Davidintegrateshislegalpracticewith academicresearchandinstruction.Asadoctoralresearcher attheUniversitécatholiquedeLouvain,Davidconcentrates ontheregulationofdigitalcommerceandemerging technologiessuchas3Dprinting.Hefrequentlycontributes tointernationaljournalsandguidestheupcoming generationoflegalprofessionals.
“Having visited 123 countries across all seven continents, I bring a deeply global mindset to my work,” added David. “My extensive exposure to diverse legal cultures and business environments has sharpened my ability to negotiate across jurisdictions, manage cultural nuances, and deliver strategic legal advice with both precision and diplomacy.”
AreaofSpecialization
Davidfocusesonfiveprimarydomains:internationaltrade,
dataprivacyandcybersecurity(GDPR),antitrustand competition,intellectualproperty,andcorporateand commercialcontracts,asthesedomainsconstitutethe foundationofcross-bordercommerceandinnovation. Acrossallthesefields,whatmotivatesDavidistheability totranslatelegalcomplexityintopracticalsolutionsandto giveclientsnotonlypeaceofmind,butastrategicedge.
ProfessionalAchievements
OneofDavid'smostnotableprofessionalaccomplishments hasbeenprovidingcounselandrepresentationtohighprofileclients,whichincludeFortuneGlobal500 companies,publicinstitutions,andinnovativeentrepreneurs acrossvariousjurisdictions,allwhileestablishingapractice thatmergeslegalaccuracywithstrategicinsight.
Asignificantachievementwashisparticipationina complicatedEUmergercontrolcaseforaFortune500 energycorporation,wherehemanagedlegalduediligence andcompetitionsubmissionsacrossmultiplenations.This projectnecessitatedthealignmentoflegal,regulatory,and commercialprioritiesunderconsiderabletimeconstraints, showcasinghiscapabilitytomaneuverthroughEU competitionlaw,internalgovernance,andgeopolitical sensitivitiesatthehighestechelon.
GoingwiththeTrend
Davidemphasizesthatremainingattheforefrontof changinglegalframeworksiscrucialtohiswork, particularlywhenprovidingcounseltoclientsthroughout theEU,theU.S.,andinternationalorganizations.David addressesthischallengebyemployingablendofstrategic monitoring,ongoingeducation,anddirectinvolvementwith regulatoryadvancements.
AddressingtheLegalIndustryChallenges
DavidstatedthatthelegalsectorinEuropeisexperiencing significantchanges,influencedbyrapidregulatory developments,digitalinnovations,andgeopolitical instability.Threespecificchallengesareparticularly noteworthy:
DuetotheoverlappinglayersofEUlaw,national legislation,andsector-specificframeworks,legal professionalsencountergrowingchallengesinproviding clearandharmonizedguidance,particularlyincross-border situations.Davidtacklesthisissuebycultivatingextensive verticalexpertiseinareassuchastrade,dataprotection,and intellectualproperty,whilealsoconvertingintricatelegal
structuresintopracticaladvicecustomizedforeachclient's sectorandjurisdiction.
Europeisattheforefrontofestablishingglobalregulatory standardsindataprivacy,artificialintelligence, cybersecurity,andplatformgovernance.However,clients frequentlyfinditchallengingtobalanceinnovationwith compliance.David'spracticeisdedicatedtoclosingthisgap bycreatingcontractsthatcomplywithGDPR,providing guidanceoncross-borderdatatransfers,andanalyzing evolvingregulationssuchastheEUDigitalMarketsAct, theAIAct,andtheDataActwithafuture-oriented perspective.
Businessesareencounteringheightenedlitigationrisks, rangingfromintellectualpropertyenforcementtoconsumer protectionandpublicprocurementconflicts.Thecourtsare inundated,andclientsareseekingquicker,morestrategic methodsfordisputeresolution.Davidaddressesthisby integratingextensivelitigationexpertise,whichincludes courtappearancesinBelgium,withpre-litigationrisk evaluationandalternativedisputeresolutionstrategies, enablingclientstoresolveissueseffectivelyandina commerciallyviablemanner.
IncorporatingTechnology
InnovationandtechnologyarenotperipheraltoDavid's legalpracticetheyareintegraltohowDaviddelivervalue, anticipaterisk,andstayaheadofthecurve.
Initially,heincorporateslegaltechnologytoolsinto everydayoperationstoimproveefficiencyandaccuracy. Rangingfromcontractlifecyclemanagementsystemsto AI-poweredcompliancecheckersandlegalanalytics platforms,Davidemploystechnologytofacilitatedocument drafting,trackregulatoryupdatesinrealtime,anddetect potentialissuesearlyinintricatecontractsortenders.
Secondly,heofferslegaladviceregardingtechnology
DavidguidesclientsonGDPRadherenceconcerningAI, algorithmicprocessing,cloudservices,andinternational digitalcommerce.Additionally,Davidplaysarolein shapinglegalperspectivesonnewtechnologies,including theeffectsof3Dprintingontradelawandthegovernance ofdatatransferswithintheEU–U.S.framework,through scholarlyresearchandlegalanalysis.
Thirdly,headoptsadigitallyproficient,client-oriented approach.Whetherheisadvisingastartuponlicensing strategies,reviewingaSaaScontract,ornegotiating intellectualpropertyclausesinatechnologymergerand acquisitiondeal,Davidcommunicatesinthelanguageof
innovation.Hisclientsareengagedinrapidlyevolving industriesrangingfromentertainmenttoenergytodigital platforms,andtheyexpectlegalcounselthatcomprehends theirbusinessmodelsandanticipateschangesin regulations.
SupportingFutureLegalProfessionals
MentorshipandleadershiparefundamentaltoDavid's approachtopracticinglaw,teambuilding,andcontributing tothelegalprofession.Heregardstheseelementsnotas optional,butasvitalresponsibilities,particularlyinalegal environmentthatrequiresnotonlytechnicalexpertisebut alsosoundjudgment,adaptability,andintegrity.
Asapractitioner,heexemplifiedleadership:demonstrating strategicthinking,maintainingclarityinhigh-pressure situations,andcommittingtoexcellenceineveryfilehe manages,whetherforastartup,agovernmententity,ora Fortune500client.However,effectiveleadershipalso entailsbeingapproachable.Daviddedicatestimeto elucidatenotonlywhattasksmustbeaccomplishedbut alsotherationalebehindthem,whilecultivatingalearning atmospherethatenablesyoungerprofessionalstodevelop withconfidenceandintellectualrigor
TheFutureofLegalServices
ThefutureoflegalservicesinEuropewillbeshapedby integration,innovation,andpurpose.Theworldisentering anerawherelegaladvicemusttranscendtraditional boundariesgeographical,disciplinary,andinstitutionaland evolveintoatrulystrategicservicethatenablesclientsto navigatecomplexity,harnesschange,andbuildtrust.
Davidbelieveslegalserviceswillbecomeincreasingly tech-augmented,policy-aware,andimpact-driven. Europeanlawisnolongerlimitedtothecourtroomorthe boardroom,itisbecomingcentraltoquestionsofdigital sovereignty,sustainabletransition,andcross-border governance.Lawyerswillneedtocombineregulatory expertisewithgeopoliticalfluency,technologicalliteracy, andethicalawareness.
Throughinterdisciplinarypractice,scholarlyresearch,and legalthoughtleadership,Davidseekstoarticulatethe characteristicsofanext-generationEuropeanlawyer: multilingual,adeptincross-bordermatters,digitally proficient,andknowledgeableinpolicy.Davidaspiresto createconnectionsbetweenlawandtechnology,theprivate andpublicsectors,aswellasbetweenlegalcertaintyand commercialinnovation.
CybersecurityLaws: ProtectingYourBusiness FromLegalRisks
Inthemoderndigitallandscape,organizations
encounteranescalatingarrayofcybersecurity threats,includingdatabreachesandcyberattacks. Withtheprotectionofsensitivecustomerdataand valuableintellectualpropertyatrisk,itisessentialfor companiestotakeproactivemeasurestosecuretheir systemsandinformation.Additionally,beyondthe technicalhurdles,thereareconsiderablelegal implicationsthatbusinessesneedtoconsider.As cybercrimeadvances,theestablishmentofcybersecurity regulationshasbecomevitalforassistingcompaniesin managingrisksandpreventingexpensivelegal repercussions.
Cybersecuritylegislationdiffersfromonenationto another;however,numerouscountrieshaveimplemented stringentregulationsaimedatsafeguardingboth businessesandtheirclientsfromdatabreachesandcyber threats.IntheUnitedStates,theGeneralDataProtection Regulation(GDPR),establishedbytheEuropeanUnion, exemplifiesathoroughcybersecurityframework.The GDPRmandatesthatcompaniesareresponsiblefor protectingpersonalinformationandobligatesthemto informcustomerswithin72hoursofanydatabreach. Failuretocomplywiththeseregulationsmayleadto substantialpenalties,reachingashighasfourpercentof acompany’stotalglobalannualrevenue.
IntheUnitedStates,variousregulationsoversee cybersecurity,suchastheHealthInsurancePortability andAccountabilityAct(HIPAA)applicabletohealthcare organizationsandtheGramm-Leach-BlileyAct(GLBA) relevanttofinancialentities.Theselawsestablishclear standardsfordataprotectionandenforcepenaltiesfor
failuretocomply.Additionally,theCaliforniaConsumer PrivacyAct(CCPA)hasestablishednewrightsfor consumersregardingtheirdata,grantingindividuals greaterauthorityovertheirpersonalinformationand mandatingthatbusinessesmaintaintransparencyintheir datahandlingpractices.
Organizationsneedtorecognizethepossiblelegal consequencesofinsufficientdataprotection.Shoulda companybedeemednegligentinitscybersecurity measuresandadatabreachtakesplace,itmaybesubject tolawsuitsfromimpactedcustomersorexternalparties. Forinstance,businessesthatdonotemployproper encryptiontechniquesorfailtoperformregularsecurity assessmentscouldbeheldaccountableforthebreach, leadingtolegaldisputesandharmtotheirreputation.
Tosafeguardagainsttheserisks,organizationsoughtto implementacomprehensivecybersecuritystrategy.This strategyshouldencompassthedevelopmentofexplicit dataprotectionpolicies,educatingemployeesonsecurity bestpractices,andconsistentlyassessingadherenceto relevantregulations.Furthermore,businessesmaywant toexploretheoptionofacquiringcyberinsurance,which canassistinoffsettingexpensesrelatedtolegalfees, penalties,anddamagemitigationfollowingasecurity breach.
Insummary,cybersecuritylegislationplaysacrucialrole insafeguardingbusinessesagainstthelegalriskslinked todatabreachesandcyberthreats.Byremainingaware ofapplicableregulationsandadoptingproactivesecurity strategies,companiescanmitigatetheirexposuretolegal repercussionsandupholdcustomertrust.
Asanentrepreneur,contractsplayacrucialrolein businessoperations.Whetheryouareforminga partnership,employingstaff,orobtainingfinancing,the legalagreementsyouestablishcanhavelong-lasting effectsonyourenterprise.Familiaritywiththe fundamentalsofcontractlawisvitalforsafeguarding yourinterests,preventingexpensivelegalconflicts,and facilitatingseamlessbusinessprocesses.Belowarethe essentialcomponentsofcontractlawthatevery entrepreneuroughttounderstand.
WhatisaContract?
Acontractconstitutesalegallyenforceableagreement amongtwoormoreparties,establishingreciprocal obligations.Itissubjecttolegalenforcement,which allowsonepartytopursuelegalremediesiftheother failstomeettheirobligations.Whilecontractscanbe eitherwrittenorverbal,writtenagreementsaregenerally favoredduetotheirclarityandthesimplicitytheyoffer inenforcement.
EssentialElementsofaContract
Foracontracttobevalid,itmustcontainthefollowing essentialelements:
Offer:Aclearandunequivocaloffermustbepresented byoneparty.
Acceptance:Theotherpartyisrequiredtoacceptthe offerwithoutanyconditions.
Consideration:Thereshouldbeanexchangeofvaluable items,whichmayincludemoney,services,orgoods.
IntentiontoCreateLegalRelations:Bothpartiesmust havetheintentionfortheagreementtoproducelegal effects.
Capacity:Bothpartiesarerequiredtopossessthelegal capacitytoengageinacontract,whichentailsbeingof soundmindandoflegalage.
Writtenvs.OralContracts
Althoughoralcontractsholdvalidity,writtencontracts
aretypicallymoreenforceableandofferclearer documentationoftheagreed-uponterms.Awritten contractaidsinavoidingmisunderstandingsandserves asaformalrecordoftheagreement.Furthermore,it guaranteesthatbothpartieshaveaclearunderstanding oftheirresponsibilities,deadlines,andexpectations.
BreachofContract
Abreachtakesplacewhenonepartydoesnotmeettheir contractualobligations.Typicalcausesofabreach includefailuretomakepayments,inabilitytoprovide services,ornotadheringtodeadlines.Whenabreach occurs,thepartynotatfaultmaypursuecompensation ordemandspecificperformance,dependingonthe circumstances.
TerminationClauses
Aterminationclausespecifiesthecircumstancesunder whichacontractmaybelegallydissolved.Itisadvisable forentrepreneurstoincorporatethisclauseintotheir contractstoestablishadefinitiveexitstrategyshouldthe situationnotproceedasplanned.
NegotiationandModification
Contractsarenotimmutable.Itisessentialfor entrepreneurstotaketheinitiativeinnegotiatingcontract termstoensuretheyalignwiththeirrequirements. Furthermore,shouldcircumstancesevolve,bothparties havetheoptiontoamendthecontract;however,any changesmustbedocumentedinwritingtoholdlegal validity.
Graspingthefundamentalsofcontractlawisessential forallentrepreneurs.Itguaranteesthatbusiness transactionsarelegallyvalidandprovidesaframework foreffectivelymanaginganydisputesthatmayoccur.By creatingwell-definedcontracts,entrepreneurscan safeguardtheirenterprises,reducepotentialrisks,and fosterrobustprofessionalrelationships.
“Law is not just a rulebook — it’s the backbone of trust in business and society”