Van Doorne opts for strategic expansion Corporate law practice with a new team Strong (international) focus on tech-M&A, private equity and venture capital

Van Doorne will have a reinforcement of M&A specialists at its disposal as of 1 September. This summer Meltem Koning-Gungormez (1981) was appointed as a new partner, as were three talented employees from her team: Michiel Melief, Hanne van ‘t Klooster and Frederiek Maessen.

With the addition of the new team, the Amsterdam office shows to have a steady practice. With an even larger capacity, an increased level of service can be offered on a number of important areas of expertise. Meltem Koning-Gungormez specializes in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, growth financing and (strategic) partnerships in technology, and the (digital) media and telecom and retail sectors.

Her clients are mainly international and national private equity and venture capital funds and corporates that invest in, or partner with, technology and other disruptive companies. With its international and private equity and venture capital focus, the transaction expertise of Van Doorne’s corporate law team is further deepened.

Strategic choice for growth

Managing partner Saskia Laseur is very pleased with the arrival of Meltem: “We are delighted to be able to expand the M&A practice in these special times. With this we are taking the next step in advising our clients proactively and responsively on their specific issues. We have confidence in the future. The past six months have been an intensive time. Despite the worldwide decline in M&A activity, Van Doorne’s corporate law team has had a good six months and the pipeline is well filled. Our expectation is that Tech-M&A will be an important driving force for transactions in various sectors and in this way we are even better equipped to provide our clients with competent and multidisciplinary advice in this area”.

Meltem Koning-Gungormez shares this confidence: “Although the COVID crisis has slowed down activity in the M&A market, technology companies in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe are likely to remain popular with (venture) capitalists. The number of technology-driven deals has increased over the years and remains a very important part of the investment market. Both for strategic (corporate) buyers and financial sponsors, mainly private equity or venture capital parties, investments in innovative companies remain interesting, especially because it concerns long-term investments in companies that provide innovation and cost savings. This also applies during a global pandemic.

Partnerships in Tech

Van Doorne has a strong technology focus with experienced specialists in this field. M&A partner Jeroen Sombezki, who will be working a lot with Koning-Gungormez, is also pleased with her arrival: “The wishes and needs of our clients have inspired Van Doorne to create a fully dedicated and multidisciplinary Technology M&A group: ‘Partnerships in Tech’. Experts from various disciplines (M&A, finance, tax, privacy & data protection, IP&IT, employment law and regulatory) have joined forces to assist clients with acquisitions, investments or (strategic) partnerships. Experts from the niche disciplines, such as privacy, know exactly which developments, opportunities and risks are involved in the operation. By deploying this knowledge in a targeted manner in acquisitions, investments and collaborations, we succeed in helping our clients to succeed and de-risk transactions in a sound, pragmatic and efficient manner. With the arrival of Meltem and her team, we are even better able to deliver on this promise and respond to the needs of our customers”.

Learn more about Partnerships in Tech

Meet the Partnerships in Tech team at vandoorne.com. Van Doorne (since 1930) is the fastest growing independent Dutch top 10 firm. It attaches great importance to diversity as it brings in different perspectives on issues. Approximately one third of the partners is female: a remarkably high percentage for the Amsterdam Zuidas. Our specialists work in an informal and open working environment, in which they are given the space to be theirselves, develop initiatives and take responsibility. The lawyers, civil-law notaries and tax specialists advise leading Dutch and international corporates, financial service providers, semi-public organizations and government institutions.