Jafar Alhashime

Company: NautaDutilh N.V.
Job Description: Lawyer, Associate
Age: 30
Years of working experience in M&A: < 8 years

Bio
Jafar holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in Corporate Law from Radboud University, graduating cum laude in 2019, after earning her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) there in 2016. Currently, Jafar works as a lawyer at NautaDutilh in Amsterdam, a position he has held since May 2022. Alongside this role, he has been a member of the editorial staff for Corporate Law Jurisprudence (RO) at Wolters Kluwer since 2020 and serves on the Platform for Inclusion and Diversity for the Dutch Bar Association. His previous experience includes working as a Junior Associate in Litigation & Regulatory at DLA Piper and serving as a Board Member for Stichting Justitia

What are the specialties of this talent?
Jafar is a skilled transaction lawyer advising corporate clients and financial investors on high-end domestic and cross-border M&A deals. He is a valued associate in our Corporate/M&A practice, bringing significant expertise in closely related fields such as financial law and corporate litigation. Drawing from his experience as a corporate litigation attorney and his regular contributions to academic journals on Dutch case law, he has developed – and continues to refine – a deep understanding of how Dutch courts view transactional matters. This wide-ranging expertise equips him to offer precise and strategic legal advice on transactions, contractual issues, and corporate governance that consistently meets and surpasses client expectations.

How does the talent distinguish itself from its peers?
Jafar stands out due to his dedication, teamwork, and skill in problem-solving and negotiation. He adeptly pinpoints key legal issues and communicates his insights and queries clearly. Combining deep legal knowledge with analytical skills and practical abilities like communication, time management, and multitasking, Jafar seamlessly collaborates with clients and coordinates different work streams, earning the appreciation of clients and colleagues.

“What impresses me is his attention to our clients’ needs, blending solid legal advice with the business-oriented pragmatism that clients value. Jafar is also a great team player, often bringing humor to the team with a good joke or two.”   Willem Bijveld, Corporate/M&A Partner at NautaDutilh.

What impact does the talent have within the organization?
Having grown up in a culturally diverse family, Jafar connects well with people from different cultural backgrounds. He recognises the importance of collaboration in managing M&A transactions and provides personal support to colleagues. He also mentors junior associates by offering constructive feedback and practical advice.

At our firm, Jafar is involved in pro bono work, community activities like children’s educational programs, and social events. Committed to strengthening diversity and inclusion, he furthermore serves on ND Growth, our task force for promoting inclusivity, equality and respect for all cultures. This includes organising events like iftar dinners during Ramadan and cultural-themed movie screenings to promote awareness and dialogue within the organisation.

“Jafar is a dedicated M&A lawyer, known for his excellent legal skills, impressive track record, and practical approach. He builds strong relationships with colleagues and clients, and is flexible, responsible, and always willing to help. Despite a busy practice, he significantly contributes to I&D, which is highly valued at our firm.”  Petra Zijp, Capital Markets Partner and Inclusion Partner at NautaDutilh.

What impact does the talent have outside the organization?
Jafar’s impact reaches beyond our organisation. Recently, he co-organised the 2024 M&A in the Financial Sector seminar. This event brought together key industry players to discuss emerging trends and the dynamics of transactions in the financial sector. In addition to assisting Dutch and international clients, he is an editorial member of the academic journal Rechtspraak Ondernemingsrecht. Here, he publishes commentaries on Dutch case law covering topics such as shareholder rights, shareholder disputes and directors’ liability. Additionally, he publishes legal articles and commentaries in other academic journals, continuously enhancing his legal expertise.

Besides his professional work, Jafar champions diversity and inclusion within the legal profession through his involvement in the Dutch Bar Association’s Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. He also supports social initiatives like the Forward Incubator programme, which helps aspiring newcomers establish businesses in the Netherlands. For instance, he has guided Syrian refugees Tamim and Rahaf Al Lymoni in setting up their business, Daffee, which focuses on sustainable coffee alternatives.

“Jafar’s guidance was instrumental in launching our first venture in the Netherlands. His practical advice and insightful input helped us to achieve our goals, making the collaboration both fruitful and enjoyable.”  Rahaf Al Lymoni, founder and CEO of Daffee

To what extent does the talent makes the difference to clients?
Jafar combines legal expertise, business acumen, technical proficiency, meticulousness, and a robust work ethic to strive for optimal results for our clients. His analytical capabilities enable him to address complex issues effectively while maintaining a comprehensive perspective. Known for his responsiveness and proactivity, Jafar anticipates future considerations and engages clients in the process. He has a deep understanding of his clients’ changing needs, expertly guiding them through M&A intricacies. His approachable demeanour and clear communication keep clients well-informed and grounded, fostering trust and offering tailored support.

Why does the talent deserves this nomination?
Within our organisation, Jafar is focused on client outcomes, multidisciplinary teamwork, and diversity and inclusion. Externally, he engages in editorial work, advocates for diversity in law, and co-organises sector events. His comprehensive approach, forward-thinking mindset, and responsiveness provide clients with top-notch expertise and support, making him a standout talent.

The transactions that Jafar has recently worked on or is currently working on exemplify his excellence as an M&A lawyer:

• Advising a.s.r. on the EUR 510 million sale of Knab to BAWAG Group AG
• Advising a.s.r. on its EUR 4.9 billion business combination with Aegon Nederland
• Advising CDC, CDPE, and SFPIM on block trades of Euronext shares with Euroclear
• Advising ABN AMRO on the acquisition of BUX
• Advising Robeco on the sale of its online distribution platform for investment services to Van Lanschot Kempen
• Advising Tencent on the capital raise of Lilium for up to USD 250 million
• Advising FairPhone on its EUR 49 million investment round
• Advising Waard Leven on the acquisition of the insurance portfolio of bankrupt Conservatrix
• Advising Hunter Douglas in connection with the EUR 4.73 billion acquisition of a majority stake by 3G Capital
• Advising Hunter Douglas in connection with the EUR 385 million public offer for its shares by Bergson Holdings

Any references or recommendations from clients or (colleagues)?
“I worked with Jafar on two major projects: the acquisition of Aegon Nederland and the sale of Knab. He represented NautaDutilh impressively, being approachable, decisive, and always on point – which is remarkable given the complex and challenging nature of financial sector deals. Pragmatic, analytical, and highly responsive, he offers clear advice and stays calm under pressure, all the while adding to the combined team spirit of colleagues and advisors involved.”

“Working with Jafar is both inspirational and pleasant. Through our collaboration on various deals like the Knab/a.s.r. transaction, I have admired his attention to detail, adeptness in handling intricate legal matters and his ability to evaluate consequences for informed decision-making. He is also very approachable and readily assists colleagues with clarifications and examples.”  Twan Hamers, associate Corporate M&A at NautaDutilh

”Jafar has excellent legal skills and an analytical brain. Combined with his dedication and service mentality, this makes him an outstanding M&A lawyer. As an associate, he leads in workstreams of large and complex M&A transactions. Jafar is responsible for bringing together the input from all workstreams and experts throughout the firm and ensuring that this gets translated into comprehensive and pragmatic advice to our clients and tailored provisions in the contractual documentation, and he does this extremely well. Jafar keeps his head cool, even in the most stressful situations and always employs the right tone of voice.” Lieke van der Velden, Corporate M&A Partner and Managing Partner at NautaDutilh