About
Mischaël Modrikamen
Modrikamen's style is characterized by strategic innovation and tenacity. He excels at federating small investors into unified fronts, amplifying their voices against giants. His out-of-the-box thinking—such as using activist funds, public campaigns, and novel legal theories—has disrupted status quos.
He fearlessly challenges authorities with bold actions, like suspending multibillion-euro deals or toppling governments through litigation, often turning underdog cases into landmark victories that advance justice and shareholder rights.
He is considered as one of the most eloquent and effective Belgian litigators in Court as well as a pragmatic negotiator.
INTRODUCTION
Mischaël Modrikamen was born on February 22, 1966, in Charleroi, Belgium, to a family marked by resilience and Jewish heritage. His father, Marcel Modrikamen, was a member of the Belgian Resistance during World War II, arrested by the Gestapo in 1942 and later surviving a targeted gun attack in 1991, after discovering frauds as chairman of social security's institutions.
Growing up in the working-class neighborhoods of Charleroi, Modrikamen attended local schools before pursuing law at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), where he graduated magna cum laude in 1989.
This strong academic foundation set the stage for a dynamic career in law, politics, and advocacy.
LEGAL CAREER
Modrikamen's legal journey began with international exposure as a trainee at the U.S. firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, followed by pupillage at the prestigious Belgian firm Stibbe.
In 1993, at just 27 years old, he boldly founded his own law firm in Brussels, which rapidly grew into a leading force in corporate and finance litigation. Specializing in shareholder rights and investor protection, he became renowned for taking on powerful corporations, banks, and institutions, often representing minority stakeholders in complex, high-stakes disputes.
His approach emphasized innovative strategies, federating small investors into collective actions, thinking outside the box to uncover legal precedents, and challenging authorities with audacious moves that reshaped Belgian and European corporate law.
Prior to his entry into politics in 2009, Modrikamen garnered extensive press coverage as a high-profile lawyer, frequently featured in major Belgian and international media outlets for his aggressive litigation style and successes against financial giants.
This media spotlight intensified during the 2008 Fortis Bank crisis, where his role in defending shareholders amid the global financial meltdown made headlines, positioning him as a vocal critic of institutional failures and a champion of investor rights.
MAJOR CASES UNTIL 2009
Modrikamen's early cases established him as a formidable litigator, frequently securing multimillion-euro recoveries and setting legal benchmarks:
Confederation Life Eurobond Issue
Representing aggrieved bondholders after the Canadian insurer's collapse, Modrikamen orchestrated a class-action-style suit against major banks like CGER. By federating hundreds of investors and leveraging novel arguments on prospectus liability, he recovered over €200 million, influencing EU-wide standards for financial disclosures and investor protections.
Suez-Tractebel and BNP Paribas-Cobepa Hostile Takeovers
In these contentious mergers, Modrikamen exposed deep-seated conflicts of interest among board members and advisors. Acting for minority shareholders, he used out-of-the-box tactics like public exposés and interim injunctions to halt unfair dealings, forcing more equitable terms and highlighting governance flaws in Belgian conglomerates.
KB-CERA Bank Merger
Defending cooperative shareholders in the merger of KB and CERA, Modrikamen challenged the undervaluation of shares. Through meticulous forensic accounting and bold court challenges, he secured a landmark €3 billion award, demonstrating his skill in uniting dispersed investors and pushing for transparency in financial restructurings.
WWII-Looted Assets for the Belgian Jewish Community
Modrikamen negotiated with the Belgian government and banks on behalf of Jewish institutions. His persistent advocacy, including federating community groups and presenting historical evidence, resulted in €110 million in compensation, a significant victory for historical justice.
Total and Petrofina Squeeze-Outs
Representing minority shareholders squeezed out during oil giant mergers, Modrikamen obtained court injunctions, reinforcing minority rights under Belgian law.
Creation of an Independent Electricity Grid ELIA
Involved in the €5 billion liberalization of Belgium's energy sector, he advised the Belgian Government on restructuring Electrabel's grid assets, ensuring competitive access and investor safeguards through creative regulatory challenges.
SN Brussels Airlines Formation
Post the bankruptcy of Sabena, Modrikamen provided strategic counsel on forming the new airline, navigating creditor claims and asset transfers to launch operations successfully.
National Bank of Belgium Gold Reserve Expropriation
He contested the government's seizure of gold reserves, arguing constitutional violations and rallying public support.
Suez-Electrabel Takeover Bid
Through the activist Knight Vincke fund, Modrikamen pressured Suez to launch a full takeover bid for Electrabel, using shareholder activism to force compliance with market rules and benefit investors.
Echo Newspaper Competition Case
Overturning for the first time before Belgian courts a regulatory decision allowing a media merger, in order to preserve press diversity.
Fortis Bank Dismantling
Amid the global financial crisis, Modrikamen represented 2,000+ Fortis shareholders, federating them into a powerful bloc. His bold actions—suspending the bank's sale to BNP Paribas, securing court rulings that froze transactions, and exposing governance failures—led to the Belgian government's resignation. This preserved insurance assets for Ageas (Fortis's successor) and earned international acclaim for his defense of investor rights.
In 2010, Modrikamen scaled back his firm to focus personally on politics but continued selective legal work through 2013, including the Luc Trullemans libel suit against RTL Belgium, where he won symbolic damages defending free speech on immigration issues.
RETURN TO FULL ACTIVE LAWYERING (POST-2019)
After stepping away from politics in 2019, Modrikamen revitalized his legal practice, emphasizing corporate restructurings, investor recoveries, and civil liberties in high-profile, cross-border matters.
As one of Belgium's leading barristers, he has handled cases involving financial crises in emerging sectors like cryptocurrency, while continuing legacy disputes from his earlier career. Since his return, he has maintained a more discrete media profile voluntarily, focusing on selective cases rather than seeking widespread publicity. Key cases include:
Ageas Settlement
Extending his Fortis legacy, Modrikamen negotiated an amicable resolution with Ageas for shareholder claims stemming from the 2008 crisis, securing partial settlements while pursuing ongoing litigation against BNP Paribas for related damages, reinforcing his reputation for long-term investor advocacy.
COVID-19 Restrictions Challenges
Representing medical personnel and others impacted by Belgium's pandemic measures, Modrikamen filed claims and lobbied Parliament focusing on civil liberties violations, such as vaccine mandatory requirements. He successfully won appeals on behalf of Doctors facing disciplinary measures.
Bit4You and CoinLoan Restructurings
In the insolvency of Belgian crypto exchange Bit4You (tied to Estonian partner CoinLoan), Modrikamen federated international depositors, including those with significant investments. For Bit4You, he pushed for judicial reorganization over bankruptcy securing a February 2025 court-approved plan enabling €20–30 million in reimbursements. For CoinLoan, which collapsed with €140 million missing, he joined the creditors' committee, advocated against hasty liquidation, and supported asset recovery efforts amid fraud investigations into founders, demonstrating his expertise in navigating complex, tech-driven insolvencies.
Your Nature Restructuring
Acting for Péronnes Invest (controlled by Prince de Ligne family), Modrikamen advises the company in the restructuring of the €125 million eco-resort in Antoing, Belgium.
As of January 2026, Modrikamen continues selective legal work solidifying his status as a top-tier litigator and advisor in Belgium.
VENTURE INTO POLITICS
Modrikamen's foray into politics in 2009 showcased his visionary leadership and commitment to principled causes. Founding the Parti Populaire (PP), he built a dynamic populist movement advocating justice, responsibility, accountability and economic reforms as well as robust policies on immigration and security.
Positioning the party as a fresh voice against establishment complacency, he effectively addressed concerns about cultural integration and democratic threats, resonating with voters seeking bold change.
Key achievements include:
2010 Federal Elections: Securing over 4% in Brussels and Wallonia in the snap election, electing an MP, and earning a royal consultation, highlighting the PP's rapid rise.
2014 Elections: Achieving 6% in European voting and nearly 5% regionally, electing two MPs and influencing national discourse despite coalition exclusions.
2015: Alliance for Direct Democracy in Europe (ADDE) – As vice-president, he fostered a Eurosceptic coalition with parties like UKIP, promoting direct democracy and successfully navigating EU funding challenges through court victories by 2018.
2016-2018: Global Influence – His early endorsement of Donald Trump in early 2016, accurate election prediction, and speeches at venues like the Heritage Foundation amplified conservative voices on economic liberalization, sound tax policies, deficit control, immigration and counterterrorism. He was described as a key European player by Politico in 2018.
Launching "The Movement" with Steve Bannon in 2017 united European nationalists, sparking vital dialogues on sovereignty and inspiring anti-globalist sentiments, even amid external scrutiny. Modrikamen's proximity to figures like Nigel Farage—leader of Reform UK and a leading contender for the next UK Prime Minister—has been a hallmark of his international network.
Modrikamen's role in these efforts was featured in the 2019 documentary film The Brink, directed by Alison Klayman, which chronicles Bannon's post-White House mission to promote nationalism and includes Modrikamen as a key partner in European and worldwide populist initiatives.
Though the PP wound down after 2019, Modrikamen's legacy endures through his enduring advocacy. His bold media presence has made him a fixture in international coverage, appearing on multiple newspaper and magazine covers, from profiles in USA Today and The Guardian to features in European outlets highlighting his role in populist surges.
PUBLISHING AND MEDIA - LE PEUPLE
In 2013, Modrikamen innovatively relaunched Le Peuple and became its Editor, transforming the historic 1885 newspaper into a vibrant online platform for conservative perspectives.
Overcoming legal hurdles, it quickly gained traction with millions of views, serving as a key outlet for populist ideas and enhancing public debate.
Modrikamen has also contributed to literature on his legal battles. He co-authored the book Fortis jusqu'au bout (published in Dutch as Fortis tot de laatste snik), detailing his experiences and strategies in the Fortis Bank case, providing an insider's perspective on the financial crisis and shareholder activism.
Several other books have referenced his actions, underscoring his impact on Belgian corporate law and politics.
PRIVATE LIFE
Married to Yasmine Dehaene (a former lawyer and PP General Secretary) since 1997, Modrikamen shares a close partnership with her in both professional and family life. They have three children. He is an abstract painter in his leisure time.
“Never Never Never Give up”
— Winston Churchill
Contact
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