LAWYER PROFILE
Michael Schouten

Michael Schouten

Europe 2026

Chambers ranking badge
Chambers ranking badge

Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

Practice Areas

Corporate Advisory & Corporate Governance, Financial Markets & Regulation, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Private Equity

Career

Michael specialises in public and private M&A, acting for listed and private companies acquiring new business domestically and abroad, or divesting business. He also advises private equity clients on sell side and buyside processes, including minority investments. He regularly advises listed clients on public takeovers and the role and responsibilities of boards. He is a trusted adviser on corporate governance and disclosure matters. Michael has particular expertise in the regulated financial and energy sectors. He has advised leading infrastructure investors, state-owned enterprises as well as the Dutch state on large-scale infrastructure and renewable energy projects.

Personal

- Teaches a corporate governance course at the University of Amsterdam and contributes to the Board Academy

- Michael's work has been published in journals such as the Stanford Journal of Business, Law & Finance and the Columbia Business Law Review

Experience

Michael’s recent work includes advising:

TenneT on securing EUR 9.5 billion of equity funding for grid expansion from APG, GIC and NBIM.

Aalberts on its public takeover of Singapore-listed Grand Venture Technology.

Paulig on the acquisition of Unilever's Conimex brand.

Schiphol on its airside retail joint venture with Lagardere.

Prodrive Technologies on the minority investment by HAL Investments.

Bridgepoint on its minority investment in ACT, valuing ACT at over EUR 1 billion.

AkzoNobel on its competing EUR 1.4 billion public offer for Tikkurilla.

Boels on its EUR 614 million public offer for Cramo.

Silverfleet Capital on the acquisition of Coredux, and the subsequent sale to Arcline.

ABN AMRO on the spin-out of its private equity business (Capital A), the secondary sale of related portfolio interests, and the divestment of its shipping investment business, Maas Capital.

ASML on the USD 3 billion acquisition of Hermes Microvision through a public offer, and on its investment in Carl Zeiss SMT.

Hapag Lloyd on the acquisition of NileDutch.

Unilever on its EUR 450 million public offer for its preference shares.

Rabobank on the divestment of its investment management business, and the sale of CAIW to EQT.

VP Capital on its take private of Batenburg Beheer.

Avedon Capital Partners on the acquisition of various portfolio companies.

Key sectors

Energy and UtilitiesFinancial ServicesFinancial InvestorsTechnology, Media and Telecoms (TMT)

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers European Guide

Corporate/M&A: €250 million and above - Netherlands

Band 4
Band 4

Individual Editorial

Michael Schouten handles complex minority investments and competitive auction processes for private equity funds as well as financial, transportation and energy sector companies.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Michael Schouten has a great focus on understanding the business and the needs of his clients and tailors his services to those needs.

    Corporate/M&A: €250 million and aboveChambers European Guide
  • Michael Schouten is simply a pleasure to work with. He is so knowledgeable, experienced and patient, and always thinks in the interest of his clients.

    Corporate/M&A: €250 million and aboveChambers European Guide
  • Michael Schouten is an exceptionally strong individual with a drive to deliver results. He demonstrates great collaboration skills both internally and externally.

    Corporate/M&A: €250 million and aboveChambers European Guide
  • Michael Schouten has been a valuable part of recent projects. He finds solutions where required in negotiations and takes the role of challenger in cases where he deems it necessary.

    Corporate/M&A: €250 million and aboveChambers European Guide
  • Michael Schouten is very pleasant to work with and able to compromise in a way that not only brings the process forward but also best serves his clients.

    Corporate/M&A: €250 million and aboveChambers European Guide

Ranked Individuals at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek (44)

Europe-wide

Netherlands

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership