Nathan van Rooijen

Company: Stibbe
Job Description: Associate Corporate/M&A
Age: 29
Years of working experience in M&A: 5

What are the specialties of this talent?
Nathan van Rooijen has built a reputation as a rising star within our M&A practice. His expertise spans the full spectrum of complex corporate transactions: from high-stakes cross-border mergers and acquisitions to intricate joint ventures, private equity investments and public takeovers. As a young lawyer, Nathan has gained a considerable amount of M&A experience during his time at Stibbe and has quickly proven himself to be a strong and dedicated M&A lawyer.     

His additional experience in EU competition law further elevates his profile, allowing him to navigate the regulatory intricacies of cross-border deals with remarkable ease.     

Nathan is known for his team player mentality and continuous focus on achieving the best possible result for his clients. Nathan spends a lot of time in helping (junior) colleagues, engages in constructive dialogue and helps others refine their thinking through collaborative discussion. For these reasons clients and partners value working with Nathan as he builds an environment where everyone achieves their full potential. 

How does the talent distinguish itself from its peers?
Ability to act as the central hub  What truly sets Nathan apart from his peers is his critical thinking and ability to act as the central hub in high-pressure transactions, maintaining a clear overview of multiple workstreams and keeping coordination on point. He is constantly in control and works with precision and really drive a transaction forward — a quality that partners and clients consistently appreciate.     

Recognised contributor on high-profile deals  He has been entrusted with roles on prominent transactions for international clients, reflecting the confidence partners place in him and setting him apart from many peers at the same stage, such as in the recent joint venture launched by Sixth Street Partners and Achmea in the pension and life insurance industry where the client appreciated Nathan’s focus, attention and resilience in executing the transaction.     

Professionalism and collaborative spirit  Known for his positive attitude, calm under pressure, and strong communication skills, Nathan helps create a productive atmosphere that elevates the performance of the team. Also, Nathan is an authentic person and genuinely cares about the people he works with. He regularly checks in with colleagues to see how they’re doing. He is convinced that pleasant and friendly collaboration between colleagues enhances team performance and in turn delivers better results to the clients. 

What impact does the talent have within the organization?
Strengthens Stibbe’s Corporate & M&A practice and trusted by partners on strategic matters  Nathan contributes directly to the firm’s position as a market leader by supporting complex and high-profile transactions across various sectors. He is regularly asked to join critical deal teams, showing the confidence that partners place in his judgement and technical skills despite his relatively early career stage.     

Inspires collaboration and performance  Nathan is known for his clear communication, strong work ethic and team mindset, which elevates the efficiency and morale of the multidisciplinary teams he works with. Nathan’s focus on creating a positive atmosphere and team spirit in the office has a positive effect on the department.     

Supports the firm’s reputation and awards  His work has contributed to Stibbe’s award-winning track record, including the Benelux Legal Adviser of the Year recognition at the Mergermarket European M&A Awards.

What impact does the talent have outside the organization?
Nathan’s professionalism and energy reflect positively on the new generation of (corporate) lawyers. Nathan actively serves as an ambassador for students entering the field, providing guidance as they navigate decisions regarding their career paths and areas of specialisation. By investing time in guiding students through these formative decisions, Nathan not only demonstrates the collaborative and supportive culture within Dutch legal practice but also contributes to building a stronger, more well-prepared generation of legal professionals.      

Furthermore, during his studies, Nathan volunteered for a foundation where free legal advice is provided to people from disadvantaged backgrounds and lower incomes to ensure they can access the legal support they need. Nathan has also served on the foundation’s board where he has played an instrumental role in expanding the accessibility and reach of free legal services to those in need.

To what extent does the talent make a difference when working with clients?
Nathan stands out for his clients as a central hub in transactions and makes sure that legal matters are dealt with promptly and efficiently. He combines critical thinking with a deep understanding of legal concepts, enabling him to come up with pragmatic solutions for his clients. As a result, clients are willing to put their trust in Nathan’s guidance and this trust allows them to focus on other aspects of the transaction, confident that the legal and commercial aspects are in capable hands.

Clients about Nathan:   

• Nathan’s ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters is very strong. We were very impressed with his knowledge on several deals.
• Nathan is very hands on, approachable and his service level is high. Also, his commercial awareness is very strong.   
• Nathan combines high quality and experience with a practical approach. 

Why does the talent deserves this nomination?
Nathan represents the qualities that this nomination aims to recognise: strong legal and interpersonal skills and clear potential for growth. Since being admitted to the bar in 2020, he has already been involved in several significant transactions — including cross-border M&A and innovative deals in sectors such as fintech and software. However, what truly makes him deserving of this nomination is the feedback from clients and partners, who consistently highlight his ability to look beyond the legal technicalities and show genuine interest in understanding who they are and what drives their business. This approach doesn’t just build trust, it translates directly into more effective collaboration. By fostering an environment where team members feel valued and understood, Nathan contributes to high-performing teams that deliver exceptional results for their clients.     

Colleagues view Nathan as a highly promising lawyer with a strong trajectory, who consistently delivers value to clients and collaborates effectively within multidisciplinary teams. This nomination would acknowledge the significant progress he has made so far and his potential to develop into a leading M&A practitioner in the years ahead.