Casper Henschen

Company: Baker McKenzie
Job Description: Associate Corporate M&A
Age: 34
Years of working experience in M&A: 7

What are the specialties of this talent?
Casper specializes in corporate law, advising on national and international acquisitions and joint ventures for corporate clients, family-owned businesses, and financial sponsors. Since joining Baker McKenzie Amsterdam in 2019, he has rapidly established himself as one of our most experienced associates in private M&A. Casper has advised on a broad spectrum of transactions for corporate clients and financial sponsors. He is recognised for his ability to build strong client relationships, lead cross-border workstreams, and provide pragmatic, business-focused legal advice. 

How does the talent distinguish itself from its peers?
Casper demonstrates exceptional social skills and positive energy, making him a pleasure to work with. He is straightforward in his communication. His legal expertise, natural authority, and ability to read people help him manage complex processes effectively. He employs a proactive approach in developing and sustaining both internal and external professional networks. His varied interests and ongoing commitment to learning, including completing the Grotius specialization course in Mergers and Acquisitions, highlight his focus on professional growth in the M&A field and contributing value to clients. 

In May, Casper coordinated the Young M&A event at Baker McKenzie Amsterdam, guided by his perspective that today’s peers may become tomorrow’s leaders. His authenticity, friendliness, and people-oriented approach make him a trusted advisor and respected colleague. Casper’s genuine interest in people ensures that he can engage with individuals across all levels of an organisation, from CEOs to junior team members. Everyone is heard, and there is a place for everyone. Casper’s fun and engaging personality, combined with his legal and social intellect, make him a standout professional who is both effective and inspiring enjoyable to work with. His continuous drive to learn and improve ensures that he remains at the forefront of his field. 

What impact does the talent have within the organization?
Casper contributes to the organization by building strong relationships and driving collaboration. His involvement in the US-NL collaboration team, which advises US clients entering the European market and vice versa, as well as the student intern committee, demonstrates his commitment to the firm’s culture and development. Casper’s leadership qualities are further demonstrated through his organization of the Baker McKenzie Fluency Cup, an international football and tag-rugby tournament in Amsterdam, reflecting his dedication to diversity, inclusion, and cohesive team dynamics. 

He also serves as a mentor to student interns and delivers targeted training for junior associates, both in Amsterdam and Brussels. By maintaining an open-door approach for junior staff and interns, Casper actively encourages knowledge sharing and ongoing professional development. His increasing seniority is evident in his capability to independently oversee complex transactions and manage client relationships with proficiency.

What impact does the talent have outside the organization?
Casper demonstrates significant influence outside the organization through his work with various clients, where he is frequently recognized as the go-to person for complicated (often cross-border) transactions. His leadership in organizing legal workshops for clients has both strengthened client relationships and provided valuable training opportunities for their teams. Casper’s expertise in Technology & ICT deals, areas expected to grow in size and volume in the coming years, along with his keen interest in the commercial rationale behind strategic transactions, buy-and-build strategies for financial sponsors, and initiatives with start-ups and scale-ups, further contribute to his growing influence in the broader business community. Additionally, Casper has made a meaningful contribution to the Legal Atlas for Street Children, a global project focusing on legal mapping and advocacy tools to protect vulnerable youth.

To what extent does the talent make a difference when working with clients?
Casper notably contributes to client outcomes by delivering pragmatic and comprehensive advice. His prompt and effective responses to client requirements, coupled with robust relationship-building skills, ensure top-notch service. Through proactive communication, whether in meetings, by phone or via emails, Casper helps clients feel supported and informed throughout the transaction process. His broad expertise enables him to address a wide range of client needs, making him a highly valuable advisor. Furthermore, Casper excels in differentiating between primary and secondary issues, ensuring that clients’ most pressing concerns are strategically prioritized during negotiations. 

Christian Reineby, Vice President and Divisional General Counsel at Husqvarna Group: 

“I was very happy and impressed with the work Casper performed for us on this transaction, I really felt that he operated with a level of maturity above his seniority and that he provided very clear and commercial advice, especially considering the tricky aspects in this project.” 

Harald van Hoorn, Group Director Legal, Royal De Heus: “Built on a sound foundation of legal knowledge, Casper combines an energetic and enthusiastic approach with a firm dedication to reaching the best deal result for us as a client. Not many lawyers match his ability to identify himself with his clients, speaking their language and being truly interested in what ‘makes them tick’. This makes Casper stand out and a pleasure to work with.” 

He has been a key deal team member in numerous recent Baker McKenzie transactions, including: 

• Advising Royal De Heus on its acquisition of CJ Feed & Care’s operations in Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea, Cambodia and the Philippines
• Advising Van Merksteijn Steel Group on the merger with Südwest Beteiligungen 
• Advising the partners of NLO on the sale of NLO to Ipsilon 
• Advising Mytheresa on the acquisition of YOOX Net-a-Porter from Richemont 
• Advising Podimo on the acquisition of Tonny Media 
• Advising Keysight Technologies on the acquisition of Riscure 

This selection of deals highlights Casper’s versatility and expertise across different sectors and jurisdictions