M&A Awards 2026: Hugo Eijsvogel (Best Young M&A Lawyer 2026)

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What are the specialties of this talent? 
In eight years at A&O Shearman, Hugo has built a private equity and infrastructure practice. He is increasingly focusing on the defining challenge of our generation: the energy transition. He advises private equity investors, infrastructure investors and corporates on predominantly cross-border M&A. 

His key energy transition experience includes advising: (i) Return on its EUR 300 million investment by APG to accelerate the expansion of its pan-European battery energy storage platform; (ii) on the acquisition of a nuclear power plant; and (iii) Alliander on a multibillion-euro investment package enabling the expansion of the Dutch energy grid up to 2040. 

Other key transactions include advising: (i) Wendel and IK on the EUR 2.1 billion sale of Stahl, a global provider of sustainable specialty coatings; (ii) APG, Ardian and PGGM on the USD 1.7 billion sale of LBC Tank Terminals, a storage solutions provider in Europe and the US; (iii) Bridgepoint on its acquisition of mission-critical IT provider Schuberg Philis; and (iv) SHV on its disposals of Makro Argentina and Makro Colombia. 

Admitted in both the Netherlands and New York and having practiced for a full year in A&O Shearman's New York office (2023–2024), Hugo brings value to cross-border mandates with a US nexus, such as the LBC disposal with US assets and SHV’s New York law-governed disposals in South America. 

How does the talent distinguish itself from its peers? 
What sets Hugo apart is the combination of his drive, his international background and his commitment to AI. 

Hugo has followed an unconventional path. As a teenager, he ice skated competitively at national level until a serious medical condition brought his sporting ambitions to a halt. He was unable to attend school for a year, had to stop intensive sport and had to step down from pre-university education to an adjusted program. Once the condition stabilized, he resolved to make the most of life. 

That experience shaped him profoundly and has fueled his drive ever since. He obtained his propaedeutic diploma in business, economics and law cum laude and was named best student of the year, allowing him to return to university-level education. He went on to study at universities in Utrecht, Amsterdam, London and New York, completing several honors programs and receiving the George Colin Award for graduating top of his corporate LLM class at New York University School of Law. After passing the New York State Bar Exam, he became one of the few M&A lawyers admitted in both the Netherlands and New York. 

Hugo invests significant time in innovation. Early in his career he worked on projects to automate documentation and streamline due diligence. Since 2022, he has been involved in the pilots of AI tools (such as Harvey, Harvey Vaults and A&O Shearman’s own generative AI platform ContractMatrix), as well as their rollout in the Amsterdam and New York offices and the licensing of ContractMatrix to clients. 

What impact does the talent have within the organization? 
Hugo's approach to leadership reflects the philosophy that has shaped his own career: make the most of life and help others do the same. 

He combines high standards with a supportive and inclusive leadership style. Hugo creates stability and structure within deal teams. Even when leading complex workstreams, he remains approachable and available, ensuring junior colleagues receive the guidance and support they need. His ability to maintain oversight, remain calm under pressure and foster collaboration has made him a trusted mentor. 

Hugo is also actively involved in training and mentoring associates and sharing knowledge across the Corporate M&A practice. Senior colleagues highlight his energy, commitment to continuous development and ability to motivate those around him. 

He challenges colleagues to become AI-native, helping them consider how AI tools can be incorporated into M&A work to improve quality and efficiency and create more time to focus on the issues that matter most to clients. 

Since his sporting ambitions came to a halt as a teenager, Hugo now makes time for sporting events, which help him stay balanced alongside a demanding M&A practice. He recently ran the Sydney marathon together with his girlfriend, has completed the New York marathon and multiple Ironman 70.3 races (including in Hawaii) with friends and has skated the Elfstedentocht route with his family. He actively encourages his team to stay healthy and balanced. 

What impact does the talent have outside the organization? 
Beyond the organization and his client service, Hugo makes an impact by contributing to the energy transition the development of M&A law and the future of legal services. 

Hugo has worked on matters that are key to the energy transition, from battery storage (which helps balance renewable energy supply and demand and alleviate grid congestion) to grid expansion and nuclear energy. Knowing that this work contributes to society gives him a sense of purpose that he shares with his team and clients, and makes this a field he loves to work in. 

His interest in the law extends beyond transactions. His 2023 article on negotiating, drafting and litigating closing conditions in M&A agreements drew on Dutch and Delaware case law. It was among the year’s most widely read corporate M&A law articles and has become mandatory reading in legal education (for example, at the Law Firm School). 

Hugo's commitment to AI (described under questions 7 and 8) is helping shape how M&A lawyers will work in the future. 

To what extent does the talent make a difference when working with clients? 
The clearest evidence of Hugo’s value to clients is that they have asked for him by name since the early stages of his career. In the past year he has also brought in multiple M&A mandates himself. 

A senior legal counsel at an infrastructure investor describes Hugo as standing out for: “His consistent focus on high-quality client service and delivery, his professionalism and his positive attitude. He balances well responsiveness and pragmatism with thoughtful and robust execution. Our strong relationship with A&O Shearman in Amsterdam was established during an M&A transaction in which Hugo played a key role; we continued working with the firm on account of that experience, requesting that Hugo forms part of subsequent deal teams.” 

The M&A Director of an international energy services company described him as “superb navigating us through the endless issues.” 

This feedback shows what clients value in Hugo: sound legal judgment, commercial pragmatism, responsiveness, positive energy and the ability to remain sharp when transactions become difficult. 

Why does the talent deserves this nomination? 
The challenges Hugo overcame in his youth gave him the drive to make the most of life. His private equity and infrastructure experience, energy transition focus and international background give him a distinctive market position. Clients regard him as a trusted adviser and colleagues as a mentor. Through his work on energy transition transactions and commitment to AI, he is contributing to both the future of the energy sector and the future of legal services. 

He is not just a promising young M&A lawyer; he is already making an impact for his clients, colleagues and the community, and inspiring those around him to be the best version of themselves. That is why Hugo deserves to be named Best Young M&A Lawyer of the Netherlands 2026. 

Any references or recommendations from clients or (colleagues)? 
Clients: see answers above. 

Junior associate M&A: “You take the time to explain things [...] and take my opinion seriously. As a result, I not only feel taken seriously, but I am also challenged to think for myself and form my own viewpoint, instead of automatically adopting the opinion of more experienced colleagues. You take responsibility as the most senior person on a deal, which means I never feel lost. [...] You never leave people to fend for themselves and always maintain an overview and calm, even during busy periods. [...] Your positive feedback keeps me motivated and makes me enjoy working on matters." 

Partner M&A: "You are continuously working with a lot of energy to improve and broaden yourself in your work. You also convey that energy well to the rest of the team. And clients clearly pick up on it as well. It’s great to see. It’s also admirable that you still find time for academic activities, such as writing articles and giving trainings.” 

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