As of January 1, 2026, Julie Wouters will become a partner at Astrea. She specializes in commercial law and intellectual property (IP), with a particular affinity for the fashion and lifestyle sectors. “Julie is a valuable addition to Astrea’s partnership,” says Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven, partner at Astrea.
Julie joined Astrea in 2015 as a summer associate. “I was given the opportunity early on to work on substantive matters and take on responsibility,” she recalls. Her mentor at the time, partner Filip Desmedt, immediately recognized her potential. “Julie felt right at home in the firm from the very beginning,” he says. “She thought strategically, took initiative, and consistently searched for the best solution for the client. Her promotion to partner is therefore a very logical step.”
Legal specialization
Over the years, Julie progressed from associate to senior associate and now partner, increasingly focusing on building her own client base and developing long-term client relationships. Today, her legal work centers on commercial law and intellectual property, advising clients across various sectors. Her strong connection with the fashion and lifestyle industries is rooted in her background.
“These sectors involve specific legal challenges, such as distribution structures, e-commerce, IP protection, and sustainability, and represent a valuable addition to the existing expertise within Astrea’s Commercial Law Department,” notes Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven.
As a partner, Julie aims to further develop a visible and specialized IP team that works closely with Astrea’s other departments. “My ambition is to firmly anchor intellectual property as a fully fledged practice area within the firm, with a strong focus on expertise, consistency, and quality,” she explains.
Looking ahead
Broader societal developments will also have a significant impact on companies operating in the fashion and lifestyle sectors in the years ahead. “European sustainability regulations, such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the fight against greenwashing, and the transition toward circular business models will undoubtedly have a major impact,” Julie notes.
In addition, digitalization continues to raise new questions around digital fashion, AI-generated designs, and NFTs. Privacy, consumer protection, and e-commerce remain key areas of focus as well. “All of this makes these sectors particularly dynamic and ensures that there will definitely be legal challenges in the years to come,” Julie adds.
“Becoming a partner at the same firm where I took my first steps as a student, feels like a wonderful confirmation of a long-term journey we have built together,” Julie concludes.