Esther van Aalst.
Over 25 years of experience in competition, consumer law and compliance
Esther has over 25 years of experience as a lawyer and is co-founder of COMP. lawyers. She studied law at Erasmus University Rotterdam and completed the Grotius specialization course in European and Dutch Competition Law in 2007.
Esther worked as a lawyer and partner for large and medium-sized law firms. She has specific knowledge of the healthcare sector, the pharmaceutical industry, agriculture, food & health, automotive and the transport industry (including sea transport).
With her background as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer, Esther has vast experience with complex transactions and the establishment of joint ventures. She also supports companies in cartel investigations, during inspections and in civil litigation.
She advises on the entire spectrum of competition, consumer law and compliance; such as cooperation between competitors, commercial contracting (among which the setting up of exclusive and selective distribution systems), abuse of a dominance and the exchange of sensitive information between competitors.
Esther regularly provides compliance training to companies in the Netherlands and abroad and is a lecturer for other lawyers, notaries and consultancy firms.
Esther is described by clients as “accurate and analytic”, “committed, quickly providing clarity”, “able to solve complex challenges while keeping a practical approach, tailored to the business”, “contributing ideas, solution-oriented”.
Memberships
- Competition Law Association
- Distribution, Franchise and Agency Association
- Women@Competition.
Esther coaches younger female competition professionals in the mentor program initiated by Woman@Competition.
Esther is registered by the Netherlands Bar Association in the categories Competition Law and Distribution & Agency.
What clients say about Esther
Esther advised us on cross-border merger control matters. She is a practical lawyer with a sound understanding of our business interests. As a former M&A lawyer, she has plenty of experience with transactions. She provided us quick insight and held focus on our objectives, while guiding us through complex processes. Esther has a personable and firm but friendly style which we appreciate in our business.
Faced with litigation issues in the Netherlands, I was happy and lucky to meet Esther. Thanks to her we found ways to defend our interests and amicably settle the dispute. Esther is a pragmatic business lawyer, result-oriented and resourceful. She has now been assisting different business areas of our Group in contractual matters. Her assistance is very greatly appreciated by our legal team as well as by the management teams.