Mr. de Bruycker is a seasoned, award-winning legal expert and attorney-at-law from Germany, renowned for his comprehensive mastery of German and international law. With multi-decade experience that includes extensive M&A transactions and varied legal roles within the food industry, he integrates a business-centric approach and legal acumen to adeptly engage with owner-operators and large corporations, particularly in cross-border environments.
International Legal Leadership
During his 17-year tenure at McDonald’s across Germany, South Korea, and the global legal department, Mr. de Bruycker led the International Legal Governance & Transactions Team and handled over one hundred M&A transactions, from small asset to large multi-unit share deals with a transactional volume of hundreds of millions of dollars. He spearheaded strategic initiatives that strengthened the franchise giant’s legal and operational bases, implementing high-impact contracts and cost-saving measures for both McDonald’s and its franchisees.
As Senior Legal Counsel at Lactalis, the world’s leading dairy company, Mr. de Bruycker is establishing the legal function for the German market from scratch, driving efficiencies and fostering a trusted partnership in an operation consisting of twelve different companies and generating €1.2 billion.
Legal Expertise and Strategic Guidance
Mr. de Bruycker’s leadership across multiple jurisdictions has been instrumental in the areas of:
Franchise law
Competition and IP law
Marketing and corporate law
Commercial and IT law
Data privacy
His strategic guidance, expertise in contract and environmental law, and litigation have been pivotal in maintaining corporate integrity and operational success.
Mr. de Bruycker’s commitment to building a culture of trust and delivering strategic legal insights has earned him numerous accolades, including:
General Counsel Leadership Circle membership
A coveted spot on The Legal 500 General Counsel Powerlist (Germany)
Several awards for his South Korean legal team by Asia Legal Business
The McDonald’s International President’s Award
A law graduate from the University of Passau, his profound legal and strategic business acumen, combined with a philosophy of trust-based leadership, marks him as an invaluable asset on an international scale.