Graduated as a Master of Laws and Criminology at the Brussels University VUB, in July 1975.

Since September 1975, he practises the legal profession in Antwerp, first as a trainee, later as a staff member of Me M. Imler.

In 1986, he and Me Imler, founded the lawyers association M. Imler – J. De Man.

He gave the opening speech at the solemn opening session of the Flemish Conference at the Bar of Antwerp, on 20 October 1984, and was President of that same Flemish Conference of the Bar of Antwerp in the year 89/90.

Since 1989, he is acting justice of the peace in the 1st district of Antwerp.

Since many years, he is one of the teachers in criminal law in the trainee courses at the Antwerp Bar and regularly participates in the jury when evaluating the pleading exercices of trainees at the Antwerp Bar.

He has been defending numerous family law and insurance cases for many years.

He has a distinct preference for the practice of criminal law in all its aspects. He is one of the three top-class criminal lawyers in Flanders and both accused and victims can count on his full dedication.

Finally, since 1989, he is also one of the regular lawyers of the Belgian Federal Public Service Home Affairs.