M&A Awards 2026: Philip Lückmann (Best Young M&A Lawyer 2026)

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What are the specialties of this talent? 
Philip is an established lead associate on complex M&A transactions, advising private equity investors, strategic buyers and sellers on cross-border acquisitions, carve-outs and buy-and-build transactions. His master's degrees in financial economics (Erasmus University Rotterdam) and corporate law (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) give him a strong understanding of both the legal mechanics of a transaction and its commercial rationale. 

He is particularly skilled at identifying the issues that genuinely affect value, risk allocation and closing certainty, and translating them into clear, practical advice. His thorough yet pragmatic approach helps keep the legal work aligned with the client’s objectives and the pace of the deal. His recent experience spans consumer products, travel, technology and AI infrastructure, including Unilever’s sale of Zwitsal, BizAway’s acquisition of Uniglobe Travel Holland and Trane Technologies’ acquisition of LiquidStack. 

How does the talent distinguish itself from its peers? 
Philip combines strong technical skills with the judgement to separate deal-critical issues from secondary points and explain complex matters in concise, practical terms. This enables clients, partners and deal teams to make informed decisions quickly, even under time pressure. He pairs this judgement with ownership, calm authority and strong interpersonal skills. On transactions such as Main Capital’s acquisition of IQ Messenger and Fellowmind's acquisition of Xperity Group, he has helped bring together legal, commercial and stakeholder considerations while maintaining momentum. 

At 11, Philip drafted his first agreement: a handwritten deal with his mother setting out the balance between homework and gaming, signed by both parties. An early sign of the M&A lawyer to come. Philip also brings a distinctly international perspective. Born in Curaçao, he speaks Dutch, English, Papiamentu, Spanish and French fluently and, at the age of 18, spent a year in China studying Mandarin. 

That curiosity about languages and cultures shows in his work. He adapts his communication style easily across cultural and business settings, which helps clients navigate cross-border transactions and align stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. In international M&A, where understanding different perspectives and ways of working often matters as much as technical legal expertise, this is a real asset. To broaden this experience further, he is on two consecutive secondments: six months in Baker McKenzie's London office, followed by his current posting in Madrid. 

What impact does the talent have within the organization? 
Philip is regularly relied on to independently lead high-profile transaction workstreams and to coordinate cross-border teams on complex matters. He provides structure, keeps teams focused on the points that matter and acts as a commercially minded sounding board for partners and colleagues. His contribution extends beyond the quality of his own work: he helps the wider team perform effectively under pressure. 

He also invests in the next generation. He shares his knowledge, gives clear guidance and creates opportunities for responsibility, so junior lawyers build confidence and deal experience. Because he is approachable, they find it easy to ask questions, while his high standards encourage them to take ownership of their work. He holds himself to those same standards. In 2025 he completed the Grotius specialisation course in Mergers & Acquisitions alongside his professional legal training, and he has since brought what he learned into the team's daily work. 

What impact does the talent have outside the organization? 
Philip’s impact outside the firm is most visible in the trust he builds with clients and other parties to a transaction. Clients value his responsiveness and sound judgement, but also his genuine interest in understanding their business and the commercial rationale behind a deal. That allows him to engage confidently with financial sponsors, business leaders and counterparties, and to contribute beyond the purely legal aspects. 

Philip also contributes to the wider legal community through the International Children's Rights Moot Court Competition, organised together with Leiden Law School. This competition brought together over 110 law students with a keen interest in children's rights, helping to develop the next generation of legal talent and raise awareness of children's rights worldwide. As a volunteer coach and reviewer, he guided students in preparing their cases and assessed their written submissions. 

Philip's determination extends beyond his professional life within the organisation and is reflected in his commitment to the wider community. In 2024, he completed the Rotterdam Marathon and raised more than EUR 5,000 for KWF, the Dutch Cancer Society. This was a deeply personal cause, as his mother was ill at the time; she passed away the following year. He has also remained actively involved in community and charitable initiatives, organising annual friends-and-family tennis tournaments and acting as auctioneer at fundraising events featuring his late mother's glass artwork. The experience reflects the resilience and determination that clients and colleagues also recognise in his professional life. 

To what extent does the talent make a difference when working with clients? 
Clients value Philip for his ability to bring clarity and momentum to complex transactions. He quickly identifies which issues require attention and which should not be allowed to distract from the wider commercial objective. That judgement helps clients focus their time and negotiating position where they can have the greatest impact. 

Philip also stays fully engaged. He anticipates what will be needed next, communicates proactively and remains closely involved when pressure increases. Whether advising on a carve-out such as the sale of Zwitsal or on a private equity transaction, he combines precision with pace and a clear focus on getting the transaction to the best possible outcome for the client. 

His experience across sectors, from Meili’s acquisition of ACPS Group in the automotive sector to IT-driven transactions involving IQ Messenger and Xperity Group, demonstrates how quickly he can understand different business models and adapt his advice to the priorities of the client and the transaction. 

Philip’s recent track record reflects both the breadth of his sector experience and the variety of transactions on which he is relied on to take a leading role, including: 

- Advising Unilever on the carve-out and sale of Zwitsal in the consumer care sector 

- Advising BizAway on the acquisition of Uniglobe Travel Holland in the travel sector 

- Advising Trane Technologies on the acquisition of LiquidStack, an AI infrastructure business 

- Advising Meili on the acquisition of ACPS Group in the automotive sector 

- Advising Main Capital on the acquisition of IQ Messenger in the technology sector 

- Advising Fellowmind Netherlands Holding B.V. on the acquisition of Xperity Group in the technology sector 

Why does the talent deserves this nomination? 
Philip has established himself as a trusted adviser and a key driver of significant M&A transactions. Alongside technical excellence and commercial judgement, he brings qualities that are harder to teach: composure, curiosity and the confidence to take responsibility. He takes the lead, yet remains a team player who invests in the people around him, from coaching junior lawyers to his work for the International Children's Rights Moot Court Competition. 

His international outlook, shaped by a multilingual upbringing in Curaçao and strengthened by secondments in London and Madrid, makes him a natural fit for complex cross-border work. Partners give him the lead on complex matters, clients value his advice and junior lawyers learn from his example. Philip already operates at a level well beyond his years, which makes him a compelling candidate for Best Young M&A Lawyer 2026. 

Any references or recommendations from clients or (colleagues)? 
Koen Bos, Transactional partner at Baker McKenzie Amsterdam: 

“Philip is remarkably mature and calm under pressure. He does not allow himself to get carried away by the intensity of a transaction but remains composed and focused on what needs to be done. That is a quality I particularly value in him as an M&A lawyer.” 

Emily Craske, General Counsel, Treasury and Corporate and Transactions at Unilever: "Philip remained calm, professional and positive at all times on a particularly challenging deal. He persisted in negotiations on an IP point which was of particular importance to us, and his determination and commercial judgement helped secure an outcome that delivered real value to the transaction." 

Roderick Beudeker, Employment Law counsel at Baker McKenzie Amsterdam: "Philip is one of the most collaborative M&A lawyers I have worked with. He takes a genuine interest in other disciplines and quickly grasps how employment issues affect a deal. He asks the right questions early and makes sure specialist input becomes part of the overall transaction strategy." 

Arnau Anglerill Diaz, Chief Business Development Officer (incl. M&A) Servicios Compartidos at Proclinic Group: "Throughout our negotiations Philip has proven to be a trusted and valuable advisor: diligent, perceptive, and with a clear sense of what matters in a deal. He understands the client's priorities quickly and protects them without slowing the process down." 

Rebecca Kuijpers-Zimmerman, Corporate M&A partner at Baker McKenzie Amsterdam: 

“Philip combines drive and dedication with maturity, composure and a strong sense of ownership. He is a great team player, has the confidence to engage in difficult discussions with the other side and remains focused on achieving the best possible outcome for the client. I can confidently entrust him with a matter, which says a great deal about the level at which he already operates.” 

Kohei Takahashi, Chief Legal Officer at Daiwa House Europe: "Philip never hesitates to provide candid advice, even when it may be difficult to hear. His responsiveness, integrity, professionalism and sound judgement have earned our utmost trust and confidence. In negotiations, he pairs commercial pragmatism with remarkable tenacity, remaining firmly focused on achieving his clients' objectives even under considerable pressure. These qualities have been instrumental in the successful completion of numerous complex transactions." 

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