Pitch Best Young M&A Lawyer 2023: Femke Schouten, Pellicaan Advocaten

Name: Femke Schouten
Company: Pellicaan Advocaten
Job Description: Advocaat / Associate M&A
Age: 29

What are the specialties of this talent?

One of Femke’s most notable strengths is her positive attitude, also in the heat of complex M&A transactions. Her ability to maintain a consistently optimistic outlook is a true asset, as it not only enhances her own performance but also positively influences those around her (including the client!).

She can always be relied upon to deliver her due diligence report timely and works fast and precisely. Despite having only 5 years of experience (of which 1.5 in doing Real Estate transactions), Femke is able to manage M&A transactions and build long-term relationships with her clients based on mutual trust.

In addition, Femke is a business development specialist within our firm. Because of her entrepreneurial mindset, Femke was asked to advise the board of Pellicaan on business development and motivates other team members to explore business development opportunities. She finished a course at Nyenrode Business University on business development while working on several deals and building her own practice. Clients know how to find Femke, colleagues from Mazars know how to find Femke, but Femke is also on the lookout for business opportunities herself and doesn’t wait for the work to land on her desk.

She for example approached a business where she purchased products herself until they announced they were considering quitting business. The business became Femke’s client and she is currently advising them on the sale of their sharshares. Furthermore she started specializing in ESG and sustainability laws right after joining Pellicaan, and has jointly with Mazars (our strategic partner) developed a ESG Due Diligence proposition, in which consultants from Financial Advisory, Risk Consultancy, Tax, Data & ICT and Legal M&A conduct a 360 degrees approach on investigating the sustainability maturity of targets (and clients) in M&A transactions, but also a roadmap for improving that maturity and implementing changes, also in view of the CSRD and CSDDD. Femke is seen as Legal Expert on ESG and Sustainability Laws for the Netherlands in our legal international network and frequently published on sustainability M&A / corporate matters.

How does the talent distinguish itself from its peers?

In a highly competitive field, where legal excellence is expected, Femke’s dedication and resilience shine through. Her capacity to manage the demands of her career while navigating the challenges of being a mother (with the second on the way!) shows her extraordinary work ethic and adaptability. She is able to balance her responsibilities, proving that motherhood is not a hindrance but a source of strength and demonstrates that success in one’s career and personal life can harmoniously coexist. Furthermore, Femke distinguishes herself by understanding the relevant financial and tax aspects of a deal as well due to the strategic alliance of Pellicaan Advocaten with Mazars. She is already very committed to building her own practice and does not wait for work to land on her desk. Because of this, she has already been involved in 22 M&A deals and is taking on a more dominant role now.

What impact does the talent have within the organization?

Femke has a major impact within the organization which extends far beyond her outstanding legal expertise. Her dedication to education and mentorship of the junior lawyers, along with her remarkable efforts in business development, make her an invaluable asset to the team. She consistently goes the extra mile to provide guidance and support to junior colleagues, fostering a culture of learning and growth within the organization. Femke also possesses a natural talent for building and maintaining client relationships, and has the ability to identify and follow up on business opportunities.

In addition to being a social animal, Femke is also a real leader. She takes the lead in various initiatives and devises events, products, clients, relations and the office reap the benefits. She does not hesitate to give her opinion about topics that matter to all, especially innovation and business development. Her ideas are refreshing and of added value. In addition, she makes sure that the voices of the younger team members are heard and brings the partners / seniors and juniors together. She also fills in an essential role in connecting the Amsterdam and Rotterdam team, by connecting the dots and exploring cross-selling and up-selling opportunities.

What impact does the talent have outside the organization?

Outside the organization, Femke has a major impact as well due to her involvement in the field of ESG / sustainability. Her dedication to making a positive difference in the broader community sets her apart and underscores her commitment to responsible business practices. Femke’s engagement in various sustainability initiatives not only reflects her personal values but also showcases her ability to drive meaningful change. She has consistently contributed her legal expertise to support and guide organizations in aligning with sustainable practices.

Whether it’s advocating for eco-friendly practices, participating in community clean-up initiatives, or collaborating with organizations to establish ethical governance frameworks, Femke’s contributions have left a lasting imprint. She has a clear vision and opinion and will not keep this to herself. She is completely committed to a better world, inside and outside the office walls. Femke became a board member of the Mazars NV charity foundation in her first week (the latter is our strategic alliance partner). She is passionately committed to the various charities within this foundation and makes her voice heard.

To what extent does the talent makes the difference to clients?

Femke goes above and beyond to ensure her clients’ needs are met, no matter the time or day. Her commitment to being accessible whenever required shows her dedication to her clients and their success. Femke understands that the M&A world operates around the clock, and she is always ready to provide guidance and support, ensuring her clients’ interests are safeguarded. She has the unique ability to connect with clients on a personal level, making them feel at ease even during the most demanding deals. Her welcoming and approachable attitude fosters a strong client-lawyer relationship built on trust, respect, and collaboration. This quality makes clients feel heard, valued, and confident in her guidance, resulting in smoother and more successful transactions.

Because of her affinity with legal tech and innovation, Femke constantly is aware of potential bottlenecks in processes and on the look-out for ways to ensure processes go even smoother and faster. She is currently involved in a project to use Power BI to be able to offer clients a fast overview of the business aspect, which can have major (financial) impact on the DD process allowing the DD team to focus on adding legal value.

Why does the talent deserve this nomination?

In summary, Femke is an outstanding M&A lawyer, and her positive attitude, approachability and unwavering availability make her a true asset to her clients and the legal profession. She doesn’t settle for the normal and always looks out for ways to gain more business and improve her services. She is an invaluable asset to the team and also clients are always happy to work with her. Lastly, she perfectly demonstrates that success in one’s career and personal life can harmoniously coexist.