M&A Awards 2026: Dolyne Munyampeta (Best Young M&A Lawyer 2026)

What are the specialties of this talent? 
Dolyne thrives in complex transactional environments and has distinguished herself through the quality of her work, her sharp judgment and her contribution to deal teams, earning the trust of colleagues, partners and clients alike. Put Dolyne in a deal room and the complexity does not rattle her; it's where she's at her best. In four and a half years at Clifford Chance, she has already built a private M&A practice that speaks for itself: deal work for, amongst others, Rivean Capital, Triton, KKR, 3i and dsm-firmenich, spanning cross-border and domestic acquisitions, private sales and platform build-ups for sponsors and corporates alike. Her core strength is private M&A end to end with a particular talent for complex, multijurisdictional separations, such as her role advising dsm-firmenich on the divestment of its Animal Nutrition & Health business to CVC Capital Partners, where she ran point on corporate, employment, tax and IP issues in parallel across multiple jurisdictions. Partners trust her with the deals that matter and colleagues truly value having her on the team, not only because she brings strong legal knowledge, but also because she knows how to cut through complexity and focus on the key issues that will actually determine the success of a transaction. Read more about Dolyne's experience and deal track-record here: https://www.cliffordchance.com... 

How does the talent distinguish itself from its peers? 
What makes Dolyne stand out is how she responds when a deal stops going to plan. Where others might pause and wait for direction, Dolyne is already mapping out the options and identifying a path forward. For example, on dsm-firmenich's divestment of its Animal Nutrition & Health business to CVC Capital Partners, one of the most operationally and structurally complex divestments in the market this year, the carve-out workstream came under increasing pressure as the transaction progressed, requiring the coordination of multiple jurisdictions, stakeholders and interdependent workstreams. As challenges arose and priorities evolved, Dolyne broke the critical path down by jurisdiction, took personal ownership and set up regular check-ins so the wider team could have clear visibility over progress and emerging issues. She translated what had become a workstream under real strain into specific, bounded tasks that junior lawyers could own and deliver on, which kept the team moving and kept the deal on track for signing. Her natural ability to create clarity and momentum in critical and demanding situations is exactly why partners and clients consistently seek her out for their most complex matters. 

What impact does the talent have within the organization? 
Within the firm, that same instinct and energy shows up in how Dolyne works, beyond what she delivers. She sets the tone on a deal team: colleagues describe her as the person who keeps morale up during the long stretches before signing and makes trainee lawyers and junior lawyers feel genuinely invested in the outcome rather than just processing tasks. This has a direct impact on how the team operates and on the quality of advice we deliver for our clients: a motivated team catches more issues, works faster under pressure and stays sharp when a deal runs long. In doing so, she models the qualities we seek within our teams: a collaborative spirit, intellectual curiosity, a strong commitment to learning, and the willingness to take ownership as responsibilities and challenges grow. 

What impact does the talent have outside the organization? 
Beyond Clifford Chance, Dolyne has spent years investing in people whose path into the profession looks nothing like the traditional one. She represents the firm in our partnership with IMC Weekend School and organises an annual visit to our office for students aged 10-14, helping them explore different career paths, broaden their perspectives and gain first-hand insights during a day at the Amsterdam Court. Dolyne is also active in REACH, the firm's network for advancing race equality and celebrating heritage, and she coaches students with a migration background through a programme from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam aimed at helping them find their footing in the job market. These activities sit alongside her transactional practice and demonstrate Dolyne's sustained, personal commitment to opening doors for others, rooted in her own experience of the barriers that can stand in the way of accessing opportunities and professional networks. This commitment has been demonstrated consistently over a number of years rather than as a one-off initiative. 

To what extent does the talent make a difference when working with clients? 
Clients notice the same qualities that make Dolyne valuable within the office. She is responsive, pragmatic and focused on the issues that matter to our clients. She helps them navigate complex transactions effectively and with confidence, always ensuring that complexity remains manageable rather than becoming a burden for the client. Clients she has advised have expressed their appreciation for working with her and their interest in having her staffed again on future matters. This is a strong reflection of the relationships and trust she builds, and of the value she brings beyond the immediate transaction. 

Why does the talent deserves this nomination? 
Dolyne deserves this nomination because she has already established herself as a trusted M&A lawyer on some of the most intricate transactions on the market, combining technical excellence, responsiveness and composure under pressure to bring clarity to complex challenges. Over four and a half years as an M&A lawyer, she has grown into an invaluable team player with the qualities that colleagues and clients look for, without having lost any of the drive and passion that got her there. She combines technical range with sound judgment, allowing her to identify key issues and to bring transactions across the finish line. She brings the kind of presence and energy on a deal team that makes colleagues and clients want to work with her again. Equally important is the impact she has within and outside of the office, through her collaborative nature, and her longstanding commitment to helping others succeed. That rare combination of qualities is why we believe Dolyne deserves to be recognised as Best Young M&A Lawyer this year. 

Any references or recommendations from clients or (colleagues)? 
Stephanie Horowitz, partner at Clifford Chance, comments: "Dolyne is a highly talented M&A lawyer who combines strong technical skills with sound commercial judgment. She quickly understands what is required and can be relied upon to take ownership of matters with limited supervision. Beyond her legal skills, Dolyne is an absolute pleasure to work with. Dolyne is proactive, thoughtful, very energetic, and consistently willing to go the extra mile to help the team and our clients. Her positive attitude and collaborative approach make her a valued member of any transaction team. Clients appreciate her practical advice and trust her judgment and to get things done. She has a calm and mature way of dealing with complex issues and is able to build confidence with clients and colleagues alike. She consistently delivers outstanding results and embodies all the qualities of a future leader in the M&A profession. For these reasons, I believe Dolyne is a very deserving candidate for Young M&A Lawyer of the Year."