Master’s in Criminology, Ghent University, 2011 (with distinction)
Master’s in Law, Ghent University, 2017 (with great distinction)
Trainee Lawyer at Advantius, 2017–2020
Associate Lawyer at Advantius, 2020–2024
Certified in 'Cassation in Criminal Matters', 2021
Established own law office in 2025
This is reflected in:
You can rely on Stéphane Heusequin for matters including:
Read more about the legal areas in which Stéphane Heusequin is active.
Lawyers should evolve with the times. Stéphane Heusequin aims to be a modern lawyer for the 21st century, accessible to all generations. This means:
About me
Not once did it cross my mind as a child or high school student to become a lawyer.
I was fascinated by people, society, philosophy, and science. Studying law? That sounded like endlessly memorizing encyclopedias full of rules, only to end up in a dull job.
No, that didn’t seem like something for me. Instead, I chose Criminological Sciences—a multidisciplinary field that studies human behavior and crime in all its aspects. What I would do with it later? No idea. But it was interesting, and that was what mattered most.
I began my university studies in Criminological Sciences at Ghent University in 2007.
It was during these studies that I first came into contact with the world of (criminal) law.
And as it turned out—I loved it. Law was so much more than just memorizing rules. I discovered that it wasn’t just about 'knowing' the law (no one truly knows 'the law'), but about mastering it through logical, analytical, and critical thinking. That was surprisingly enjoyable.
Even better—I turned out to be good at it.
However, it was not until my third year of Criminological Sciences that I truly caught the legal bug. I had the opportunity to complete a three-month internship at the Court of First Instance in Bruges.
That wasn’t actually a deliberate choice. Initially, I had applied for internships with the Federal Judicial Police, but unfortunately, all positions were already taken.
Somewhat disappointed, I braced myself for what I expected to be a long, dull internship at "the court"...
Life is a series of coincidences. I have no idea where I would be today if I had gotten the internship I originally wanted.
In the spring of 2010, I began my internship at the court.
It was during this internship that I first saw "the law" in action.
I observed how parties, lawyers, and judges interacted during hearings. I gained insight into legal case files and court rulings. I even had the opportunity to attend a case before the Court of Assizes from start to finish.
A new world opened up to me. The world of justice.
That was when I truly realized the impact a lawyer or magistrate can have on the lives of individuals. That was when I understood the vast difference between studying law and practicing it.
That was when I knew: this is the path I want to pursue. This is where I can make a difference. My degree in Criminological Sciences would not be the final destination.
After graduating with distinction in Criminological Sciences in 2011, I decided to continue my studies in Law.
Unfortunately, my ambition was met with an obstacle I hadn’t anticipated: study fatigue. After six years of studying, I was completely drained.
I decided to recharge and take a gap year. I would work for a while and then do something that had been on my bucket list for a long time: take a solo world trip.
In January 2014, the time came, and I set off with my backpack for New Zealand (on a plane, of course). The plan was to stay there for three months, then head to Southeast Asia, and finally return to Belgium by the summer. I would then resume my studies in September.
Things turned out differently.
"Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans."
What was meant to be one gap year eventually turned into two. Three months in New Zealand turned into nine. Southeast Asia was swapped for Nepal and India, with a multi-week trek to Everest Base Camp as the literal highlight of my trip (5,364 meters high, to be precise).
I returned to Belgium at the end of 2014 with an empty wallet and a backpack full of unforgettable experiences.
I resumed my law studies in September 2015, with some self-doubt: would I still be able to do it, to be a "student"? Going from a trek in the Himalayas to slogging through a 687-page Handbook of Belgian Social Security Law wasn’t exactly easy.
The doubt proved to be unfounded, as I surprisingly needed very little time to rediscover my fascination with the law. In 2017, I graduated with great distinction, earning my Master’s in Law.
As the cherry on top, I received the highest honor for my master’s thesis on anti-discrimination law. With my thesis, I also made it into the top 5 for the Flemish Thesis Award.
For a moment, I considered continuing in academia and pursuing a PhD, but my desire to practice law was too strong.
I traded the world of theory for the world of practice. That same year, in October 2017, I began my career at the bar as a junior lawyer at Advantius, under the guidance of Mr. Dimitri Vantomme in Kortrijk.
Advantius and I turned out to be a great match. It wasn’t a "suit-and-tie" office, but a law office by and for people, with a diversity of cases and clients I never could have imagined.
My first few months as a trainee lawyer were overwhelming. The transition from the academic world to practice was massive. Time pressure, responsibility, unexpected turns, real people in difficult situations relying on you... I wasn’t prepared for what came my way, but no one ever is. Sink or swim.
I was never a great swimmer, but drowning isn’t something that happens to me. Kicking and struggling, I kept my head above water, and gradually, the uncertainty from the beginning gave way to a sense of fulfillment I had never felt before. I still remember the rush I felt the first time I managed to get someone out of prison.
That was when I knew I had made the right choice.
After completing my three-year traineeship, I stayed on at Advantius for another four years as a full-time associate lawyer. During that time, my interests and focus shifted from criminal law to more technical areas such as civil law and corporate law. I realized that my analytical mind and attention to detail were better suited to these fields.
Although I truly enjoyed working at Advantius, after seven years, it started to itch too much. I wanted to set my own priorities, implement my own vision, and do things my own way.
In January 2025, I decided to take the leap and founded my own law office.
I brought with me the rich experience I had gained during my studies, travels, and professional career at Advantius.
At the same time, I wanted to innovate. It was my ambition to create a fresh, modern law office for the 21st century. This means: modern communication, clear language, transparency, and accessibility.
The goal is still the same as it was seven years ago.
Helping people. Making a difference.
And enjoying myself while doing it.
As a lawyer, I strive for a just resolution of your problem.
I will defend your personal interests to the fullest, provided they do not conflict with higher norms or values.
Cases that I find ethically indefensible, I refuse.
I prefer to offer honest advice rather than wasting your time and money on unnecessary legal proceedings.
A lawsuit is just a tool, not a goal in itself. If possible, I always aim to resolve issues through mediation.
A specific outcome can never be guaranteed, but I will give you an honest assessment of the chances of success and risks involved.
Reason is the guide of the law.
Emotions are important and deserve recognition, but they are often not a good foundation for solving legal problems.
I always try to approach your problem as objectively and rationally as possible, but in a human way.
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