Michal Berkner: A Distinguished Legal Career in Global M&A

When the discussion turns to leaders in international mergers and acquisitions (M&A), the name Michal Berkner stands out prominently. With a career spanning nearly three decades, she has played a pivotal role in some of the most complex cross-border deals within the life sciences, deep tech, and pharmaceutical industries. Recognised not only for her professional accomplishments but also for her personal associations, Berkner represents a unique blend of expertise, leadership, and influence.

This article provides a comprehensive profile of Michal Berkner, covering her education, professional journey across leading law firms, and personal life. It also addresses frequently searched aspects such as Michal Berkner age, her connection to Robert Jenrick as his wife, details on her children, and her role within prestigious firms including Baker McKenzie, McDermott Will & Emery, Cooley LLP, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

Michal Berkner Age and Early Background

Born in April 1973, Michal Berkner is 52 years old as of 2025. Her early years were defined by a focus on education and international relations, a pathway that would eventually lead her into the demanding world of corporate law. From a young age, she demonstrated both academic brilliance and a passion for bridging cross-cultural and cross-border issues—traits that perfectly aligned with her future career in global legal practice.

Education and Academic Foundation

Undergraduate Studies

Berkner pursued her undergraduate education at The Johns Hopkins University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Affairs (1991–1994). This academic path provided her with a strong foundation in diplomacy, international governance, and global policy—all of which have proven invaluable in navigating multinational corporate transactions.

Law School at the University of Pennsylvania

Following her undergraduate degree, she attended the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where she obtained her Doctor of Law (JD) between 1994 and 1997. Her legal studies focused on business administration and management in addition to law, reflecting her interest in the commercial and financial aspects of corporate transactions. This dual emphasis allowed her to combine rigorous legal reasoning with practical business insights.

Career Journey of Michal Berkner

The legal career of Michal Berkner illustrates an extraordinary trajectory across some of the world’s most powerful and respected law firms. Her professional timeline demonstrates both continuity in corporate law and adaptability across different sectors.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates

Her career began at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, one of the most prominent international law firms. She joined as an associate in 1997 in New York and later transitioned to the London office. After six years as an associate, she rose to the position of Partner in 2008, a role she held for almost a decade until 2018.

During her 20 years at Skadden, she advised on landmark transactions, developing deep expertise in corporate law, cross-border M&A, and high-value deals in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors. Her tenure at Skadden firmly established her as a leading figure in global deal-making.

Cooley LLP

In 2018, Michal Berkner joined Cooley LLP as a Partner in London. Over the course of six years, she was instrumental in expanding the firm’s life sciences and technology practices. At Cooley, she gained a reputation for guiding both established multinational corporations and innovative startups through transformative acquisitions and partnerships.

McDermott Will & Emery

Her next professional move was to McDermott Will & Emery UK, where she served as Partner from March 2024 to November 2024. Though a shorter tenure compared to her earlier roles, this position underscored her ongoing demand as a senior legal strategist and deal adviser.

Baker McKenzie

In March 2025, Michal Berkner joined Baker McKenzie, one of the world’s largest law firms, as Head of EMEA Biopharma and Deep Tech Transactions. Her appointment reflected the firm’s recognition of her extraordinary depth of experience in both sectors.

At Baker McKenzie, she now leads complex cross-border transactions, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and spin-offs, particularly in the rapidly evolving deep tech and pharmaceutical industries. Her role involves managing strategic legal frameworks for clients while ensuring compliance with international regulatory standards.

Key Achievements in Legal Practice

Throughout her career, Michal Berkner has been involved in numerous high-value transactions, including:

• Advising Baylis Medical on its USD 1.75 billion sale to Boston Scientific.

• Supporting VectivBio in its USD 1.2 billion acquisition by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals.

• Facilitating Therachon’s USD 900 million sale to Pfizer.

• Advising Nokia on its USD 17 billion acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent and other billion-dollar deals.

These transactions highlight not only her expertise in structuring deals but also her ability to navigate multi-jurisdictional legal landscapes.

Michal Berkner Wikipedia – Public Recognition

While there is currently no dedicated Wikipedia page for Michal Berkner, she is frequently referenced in relation to her professional roles and her personal association with UK politics through her husband. Her profile is detailed in numerous press releases, law firm announcements, and political coverage linked to Robert Jenrick.

Michal Berkner: Wife of Robert Jenrick

One of the most frequently searched aspects of Berkner’s profile is her marriage to Robert Jenrick, a senior Conservative politician in the United Kingdom. Jenrick has held significant ministerial roles, and their marriage has often placed Berkner in the public eye beyond her professional achievements.

Children

Together, Michal Berkner and Robert Jenrick are parents to three daughters. While Berkner herself maintains a relatively private family life, media coverage of Jenrick has occasionally highlighted the family, emphasising their strong personal bond alongside demanding professional commitments.

Personal Qualities and Professional Reputation

Colleagues describe Michal Berkner as meticulous, innovative, and results-driven. She is fluent in multiple languages, including English, French, and Hebrew, which has allowed her to manage international negotiations with confidence. Her cross-cultural communication skills have been key to her success in complex multinational deals.

Why Michal Berkner Matters in the Legal World

Leadership in Biopharma and Tech

Her leadership in Baker McKenzie’s EMEA Biopharma and Deep Tech Transactions practice reflects her positioning at the crossroads of two industries experiencing rapid innovation and consolidation.

Influence in Global M&A

With three decades of experience, Berkner has not only advised multinational corporations but also influenced best practices for cross-border deal-making in life sciences and technology.

Role as a Mentor and Leader

Beyond transactions, Berkner has served as a mentor for young lawyers, advocating for diversity, inclusion, and the development of female leadership in corporate law.

Conclusion

The career and life of Michal Berkner tell the story of an accomplished lawyer who has consistently been at the forefront of international corporate law. From her early training at Johns Hopkins University and University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, through her long tenure at Skadden, her leadership roles at Cooley and McDermott Will & Emery, to her current senior role at Baker McKenzie, her journey epitomises excellence in legal practice.

Her personal life—married to Robert Jenrick and raising three daughters—adds another dimension to her profile, highlighting her ability to balance a demanding career with family responsibilities.

At 52 years of age, Michal Berkner continues to shape the legal landscape, demonstrating not only resilience and intellect but also an enduring commitment to the advancement of global business and innovation.

For More Informative Blog Visit Our Website: Newsdip.co.uk