Marjolein Coppes

Company: Stibbe
Job Description: Associate – Mergers and Acquisitions
Age: 31
Years of working experience in M&A: 6

Bio
Marjolein Coppes is an experienced lawyer specializing in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and is currently working as an Associate at Stibbe in Amsterdam, where she has been active since November 2021. Prior to her current role, Marjolein worked as a Junior Associate in Corporate M&A and in the field of Competition and Regulated Markets.

Marjolein has an impressive academic background. She obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Transnational Legal Studies from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, graduating cum laude in 2016. Before that, she completed her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) at the same university in 2018. Her studies at Amsterdam University College, where she also graduated cum laude with a degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences focused on Law and International Relations, provided her with a strong foundation for her legal career.

Additionally, Marjolein has completed a postgraduate specialization in Mergers and Acquisitions at the Grotius Academy and finished the MBA Highlights Programme at INSEAD in 2023. Her previous experiences include positions as a legal assistant at Stibbe and De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, as well as a role as a Junior Consultant at Goldsworthy, Stolk & Associates, where she was involved in developing strategic simulations for the Dutch Ministry of Defense.

What are the specialties of this talent?
Marjolein is an outstanding M&A lawyer with a profound understanding of the law. She expertly navigates the legal and commercial intricacies of each stage of the acquisition process, swiftly grasping complex legal issues without losing sight of her clients’ commercial considerations and the overall rationale of the public or private transaction.

Despite the complexity of the transactions, Marjolein consistently demonstrates the ability to respond quickly and creatively to unexpected challenges. Her adept problem-solving skills and drive to move things forward have led to the successful conclusion of numerous intricate deals, much to the satisfaction of her clients.

As a young lawyer, Marjolein has amassed a considerable amount of M&A experience at Stibbe. She has rapidly established herself as a strong and dedicated professional in the field, earning the respect and trust of her colleagues and clients alike.

How does the talent distinguish itself from its peers?
What truly sets Marjolein apart from her peers is her curiosity. Whether she is analysing complex legal questions or collaborating with colleagues, Marjolein is driven by one fundamental question: Is there more to know? For clients, this relentless pursuit of knowledge translates into a lawyer who is intrinsically motivated to uncover every relevant fact, ensuring a swift and smooth transaction process. For her colleagues, this same curiosity fosters strong bonds and a collaborative spirit within the team.

As a new mom, she has further developed herself in her personal and her professional life. She has approached this transition with the same curious mindset, without fearing open conversations about expectations, needs and challenges. She has experienced first hand how being open and honest fosters true connections with co-workers and clients.

What impact does the talent have within the organization?
In every M&A process, collaboration with a diverse group of individuals from various disciplines is essential. Marjolein’s genuine interest in people and her unwavering commitment to excellence are contagious, inspiring those around her to strive for the same standards. Nevertheless, she knows it takes a lot to maintain such level of excellence.

Marjolein believes that a culture of trust is the most important aspect for a team to excel and wants to inspire co-workers to build this culture together, by being loyal to each other and, importantly, themselves. She has a genuine interest in the personal life of her colleagues and want the less experienced members of her team to feel safe. This makes that her colleagues are quick to follow her lead and place trust in her guidance, ensuring that everyone is aligned with the common goal of providing excellent advice, even when faced with tight deadlines and complex legal challenges.

Marjolein’s curiosity extends far beyond individual transactions. She remains eager to learn and equally passionate about sharing her newfound knowledge. This dedication is evident in the fact that she has completed the Grotius M&A course and conducts seminars where she imparts valuable insights to new M&A lawyers.

What impact does the talent have outside the organization?
Marjolein’s focus on people, combined with her personal experience as a cancer survivor has fuelled her advocacy for high-quality aftercare for current young cancer patients. This dedication has led her to join the LATER working group, which focused on the aftercare of cancer patients. Alongside other members, Marjolein helped further enhance the quality of aftercare to further the group’s mission. Her efforts show a profound commitment to making a meaningful impact beyond her professional responsibilities.

To what extent does the talent makes the difference to clients?
Due to her drive for excellence, the close connection to colleagues, her deep understanding, and ability to withstand significant pressure while prioritizing effectively, clients are willing to put their complete trust in Marjolein’s guidance. This trust allows them to focus on the commercial aspects of the transaction, confident that the legal dimension is in capable hands. Clients particularly appreciate that Marjolein never loses sight of their commercial and strategic interests, as she recognizes that her legal assistance serves the bigger picture.

Why does the talent deserves this nomination?
Her legal skills, profound interest in the client’s business and her strong commitment to the client would already provide a solid foundation for her nomination. However, what truly makes her deserving of this important recognition is her ability to focus on people, listen attentively, and show genuine curiosity about who they are – skills that are often overlooked. Marjolein demonstrates that these qualities are not only important outside the confines of the M&A world but are also invaluable assets in providing clients with the best possible advice.

Any references or recommendations from clients or (colleagues)?
Clients:
“Marjolein Coppes is spot-on in predicting the responses and helping the client navigate the challenges. Her client service is very good and she is constructive and thoughtful in her advice.”

“Marjolein Coppes provides a high level of service.”