Pitch Best Young M&A Lawyer 2020: Jos Somers, NautaDutilh
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What are the specialties of this talent?
Jos works on both public and private M&A transactions. Thanks to his involvement in large deals such as the acquisition of BinckBank by Saxobank or the takeover of Grubhub by Just Eat Takeaway.com, he has a good idea of what a complex deal entails. In an environment where the pressure is high, Jos is able to maintain focus and perspective and to see and weigh the various interests at stake. In order to broaden his horizons outside work, Jos is currently completing in-depth M&A course at the Vrije Universiteit. ‘In my daily work, things often have to be done very quickly. This programme allows me to delve deeper into the background, which helps me in my advice to clients,' says Jos. He has worked on the following deals, amongst others: Assisted Sanofi on the public offer for all shares of Kiadis Pharma N.V. Assisted BinckBank in the public offer by Saxo Bank Assisted NIBC Bank in several transactions Assisted Grubhub in the merger with Just Eat Takeaway.com Assisted Mimecast in the acquisition of DMARC Analyzer. Assisted Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln on its acquisition of the European shipping business of the Imperial Group.
How does the talent distinguish itself from its peers?
Jos is the person everyone wants to have on their team because the teams he belongs to not only perform better but also have a good atmosphere. He has a keen eye for personal relationships and looks for common interests. He is a star when it comes to building personal relationships with his peers, both within the firm and with clients and co-counsel, which leads to smoother deals. "The processes Jos is working on are very complex. They often involve several teams of different departments. Thanks to his positive attitude and way of communicating, Jos is able to achieve quick and good results. Even when the pressure is high and the stakes are significant", according to one senior partner.
What impact does the talent have within the organization?
Jos is a member of NautaDutilh’s Young Professionals Board, a body within the organisation that advises the board from the perspective of the next generation. "I get the opportunity to talk about things that I would otherwise not be involved in at my level. We not only have a seat at the table, but also a voice when it comes to the strategic decisions. In addition to my work, I get the opportunity to look at the ways in which we organise our company and to ask for more attention to subjects such as sustainability and diversity", says Jos.
What impact does the talent have outside the organization?
In addition to his work, Jos is very sporty and uses the power of sport to strengthen personal ties. At NautaDutilh, he plays in the firm's soccer team and uses his contacts there to actively network. For example, shortly after a deal with an investment bank, he organised a match between the football teams of both companies. This type of informal initiative outside working hours helps to strengthen business ties.
To what extent does the talent makes the difference to clients?
'Deals really run better when Jos is working on them', a client reports. Due to the time and effort he invests in relationships with his peers, processes run more smoothly. He takes the time to get to know people and is always willing to go the extra mile. Thanks to his good contacts with the other parties involved in a transaction, he can get business done quickly, which takes a lot of work out of the hands of the partners.
Why does the talent deserves this nomination?
Jos has developed into an all-round M&A lawyer in a short period of time. He learns quickly and excels in hectic and complex environments. Because of his keen eye for common interests, his ability to build strong relationships with both his colleagues and his clients and his willingness to always go the extra mile he performs exceptionally at all levels of the deal.
