Martin Prokoph

Leading Multi-Disciplinary Legal Teams Across Various Strategic Domains | Driving Complex Transactions | VP Legal @ Zalando

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

About

Versatile corporate attorney and legal executive with strong business acumen and extensive experience advising established corporates, financial sponsors and investors on a wide range of legal topics. My professional journey of over 15 years in leading international law firms and as legal executive in a DAX 40 corporation has equipped me with a deep understanding of complex transactions, strategic legal problem-solving and team leadership. Throughout my career, I have advised on numerous complex (cross-border) transactions, with a proven track record of delivering results in dynamic and high-stakes environments. As an in-house counsel, I combine this transactional expertise with leading multidisciplinary teams to address strategic legal challenges and support high-impact corporate objectives. I’ve found that this can best be achieved when Legal becomes a strategic partner and enabler to the business. I am a fully-qualified German lawyer and hold a Master’s degree in International Finance. With several years of overseas work experience I can easily navigate different cultures and negotiate fluently in English and German. My quick comprehension, strong interpersonal skills and curiosity for new things positions me well to tackle new challenges in an ever-evolving environment.

Experience

  • VP Legal for SME Teams at Zalando
    Sep 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 10 mos

    The Legal Subject Matter Expert Teams at Zalando are a group of 35+ highly skilled legal professionals covering the areas of Corporate/M&A (incl. Corp. Finance, Capital Markets), Real Estate, Payments, Privacy, Technology & AI, Employment and Antitrust Law. The Legal Subject Matter Expert Teams are designed to tackle high-impact legal challenges that require cross-functional alignment. Their responsibilities range from guiding transformative M&A projects, steering corporate governance frameworks and advising key functions to addressing emerging legal risks in areas such as technology regulation. As Vice President Legal, I am privileged to lead these Subject Matter Expert teams, supported by six direct reports who bring deep expertise and leadership to their respective fields. Together, we drive legal excellence and enable Zalando to remain agile, innovative and prepared for the future.

  • Partner (Corporate Department) at Paul Hastings
    Mar 2021 - Aug 2022 · 1 yr 6 mos

    I represent corporate and private equity clients in a broad range of (cross-border) transactions, including M&A, buyouts, corporate restructurings and corporate finance.

  • Goodwin (Frankfurt am Main und Umgebung, Deutschland)
    • Partner - Private Equity / M&A
      Oct 2019 - Feb 2021 · 1 yr 5 mos

      Represented PE and strategic investors on complex international transactions in the areas of tech, pharma / life sciences and real estate. Advised on buy-outs, growth equity investments, corporate restructurings, joint ventures, management incentive programs, corporate finance and general corporate matters. Secondments to the Boston and Silicon Valley offices.

    • Senior Associate - Private Equity / M&A
      Apr 2016 - Sep 2019 · 3 yrs 6 mos

  • Associate - Corporate / M&A at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates
    Nov 2012 - Feb 2016 · 3 yrs 4 mos

    Advised on M&A, general corporate, corporate finance, private equity and capital markets matters. Coordinated large deal teams in multiple jurisdictions.

  • Freelancer at Gleiss Lutz
    Jan 2009 - Oct 2012 · 3 yrs 10 mos

    Corporate