# Jonathan Soeharno

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Dutch lawyer, professor, and senator

Jonathan Soeharno Member of the Senate In office 28 September 2021 – 1 February 2022 Preceded by Ben Knapen Succeeded by Ben Knapen Personal details Born Jonathan Emanuël Soeharno[1] (1977-07-27) 27 July 1977 (age 48) The Hague, Netherlands Party Christian Democratic Appeal Alma mater Utrecht University Radboud University Occupation Lawyer professor politician

**Jonathan Emanuël Soeharno** (born 27 July 1977) is a Dutch lawyer, professor, and politician. He has been working for law firm [De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek](/source/De_Brauw_Blackstone_Westbroek) since 2008 and as a professor at the [University of Amsterdam](/source/University_of_Amsterdam) since 2012. He served as a member of the [Senate](/source/Senate_(Netherlands)) on behalf of the [Christian Democratic Appeal](/source/Christian_Democratic_Appeal) (CDA) for four months between 2021 and 2022 as the replacement of [Ben Knapen](/source/Ben_Knapen).

## Early life and education

Soeharno was born in 1977 in [The Hague](/source/The_Hague) and is of Indonesian descent.[2][3] He completed his secondary education on [gymnasium](/source/Gymnasium_(school)) level and did not start his higher education for another two years.[4] During this period, he traveled through the United States, where he did [volunteer work](/source/Volunteer_work) and served as a [bassist](/source/Bassist) in a band.[5] Between 1997 and 2003, Soeharno studied theology at [Utrecht University](/source/Utrecht_University) followed by five years of [legal theory](/source/Legal_theory).[2] He simultaneously studied philosophy at [Radboud University Nijmegen](/source/Radboud_University_Nijmegen) and the [University of Münster](/source/University_of_M%C3%BCnster) in the years 2000–05.[2][6] He obtained his doctorate in legal theory from Utrecht University in 2009 after finishing his [dissertation](/source/Dissertation) titled *The Integrity of the Judge: A Philosophical Inquiry*.[2][6] Soeharno was also a [visiting scholar](/source/Visiting_scholar) at the [University of Cambridge](/source/University_of_Cambridge)'s [Pembroke College](/source/Pembroke_College%2C_Cambridge) in 2006.[6]

## Career

He started working as a lawyer for [De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek](/source/De_Brauw_Blackstone_Westbroek) in [Amsterdam](/source/Amsterdam) in 2008. He initially worked for its finance department, but his focus later shifted to integrity, [ESG](/source/Environmental%2C_social_and_corporate_governance), human rights, and disciplinary and governance matters.[2][7] Soeharno also started teaching ethics, judgement, and disciplinary law at the Training and Study Centre for the Judiciary (SSR) the following year, he became a judicial integrity [research fellow](/source/Research_fellow) at Utrecht University's Montaigne Centre for Rule of Law and Administration of Justice, and he served as an editor of the *Netherlands Journal of Legal Philosophy*.[2][6][8] In 2012, he became a professor at the [University of Amsterdam](/source/University_of_Amsterdam). His specialty is [administration of justice](/source/Administration_of_justice) and [legal philosophy](/source/Legal_philosophy), and he devoted his inaugural speech to the renewed interest in [oaths](/source/Oath).[9] Soeharno remained active as a lawyer and as a teacher for the SSR, and he would later also take a job as deputy judge at the commerce chamber of the Court of Appeal of ['s-Hertogenbosch](/source/'s-Hertogenbosch).[2][10] At the university, he started serving on the scientific integrity committee in 2013, and he was program director of its Honours College of Law from 2015 to 2021.[2] During a conference, he pled for the involvement of theologians in the drafting of new legislation, as it could lead to more just laws.[11]

Soeharno participated in the [2019 Senate election](/source/2019_Dutch_Senate_election) as the tenth candidate of the CDA.[12] He was not elected, as his party won nine seats.[13] Following the stepping down of Senator [Ben Knapen](/source/Ben_Knapen) in 2021 to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Soeharno was appointed to the Senate, and he was sworn in on 28 September.[10] He was on the Committee for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy / Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and the Committee for Social Affairs and Employment.[14] Soeharno remained active in his other positions with the exception of deputy judge.[15] He stepped down as senator after 1 February 2022 to allow for the return of Knapen, whose stint as minister had ended due to the swearing in of the [fourth Rutte cabinet](/source/Fourth_Rutte_cabinet).[16] When Minister for Legal Protection [Franc Weerwind](/source/Franc_Weerwind) was proposing reforms of oversight of the legal profession to parliament, Soeharno signed a letter with over twenty others criticizing plans to have a new national regulator operate on behalf of the Netherlands Bar. They argued the body should be independent.[17]

Soeharno ran for [re-election to the Senate in 2023](/source/2023_Dutch_Senate_election). He was placed tenth on the [party list](/source/Party_list), but the CDA received only six seats.[18]

## Other activities

Soeharno holds and has held several positions next to his job. He has been chair of the advisory board of the [Protestant Theological University](/source/Protestant_Theological_University) (since 2015), the supervisory board of the [Ronald McDonald Kinderfonds](/source/Ronald_McDonald_House_Charities) (since 2014), and the supervisory board of the Centre for Organisational Integrity (since 2019).[2] He has also been a member of the Loorbach Committee (2016–18), which advised the Netherlands [Bar](/source/Bar_association) on changes to its [code of conduct](/source/Code_of_conduct);[19] the Disciplinary Court of Appeal for Lawyers (since 2020); Radboud University's supervisory board (2021);[20][21] the Dutch Securities Institute's disciplinary committee (2017–21); the [Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds](/source/Prins_Bernhard_Cultuurfonds)'s advisory committee on grants (since 2021);[2] and a committee advising the government on Article 57 of [the Constitution](/source/Constitution_of_the_Netherlands) (since 2023).[22]

## Personal life

Soeharno is a resident of [Amsterdam](/source/Amsterdam) as of 2018.[12]

## Bibliography

- 2009 – *The Integrity of the Judge: A Philosophical Inquiry*

- 2014 – *De waarde van de eed*; English translation: *The Value of the Oath* (2020)

- 2017 – *Durven denken: inleiding in de logica voor juristen*; English translation: *Logic for Lawyers: An Introduction* (2021)

- 2022 – *Integriteit in de zakelijke advocatuur: normenkader en praktijk* (Integrity in the corporate legal profession: framework of norms and practice; 2022); together with Emilie van Rijckevorsel-Teeuwen and Jan Loorbach

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Prof.Dr.Mr. J.E. (Jonathan) Soeharno"](https://www.parlement.com/id/vkvxchopztfa/j_e_jonathan_soeharno). *Parlement.com* (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 December 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-EK_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-EK_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-EK_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-EK_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-EK_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-EK_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-EK_2-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-EK_2-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-EK_2-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-EK_2-9) ["Prof.dr.mr. J.E. Soeharno (CDA)"](https://www.eerstekamer.nl/persoon/prof_dr_mr_j_e_soeharno_cda). *[Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal](/source/Eerste_Kamer_der_Staten-Generaal)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Soeharno, Jonathan (3 February 2020). ["Jonathan Soeharno: 'Een goede advocaat is in de eerste plaats een betrouwbare advocaat'"](https://www.mr-online.nl/jonathan-soeharno-een-goede-advocaat-is-in-de-eerste-plaats-een-betrouwbare-advocaat/). *Mr.* (Interview) (in Dutch). Interviewed by Biter, Yilmaz. Retrieved 17 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Soeharno, Jonathan E. (22 May 2013). [*De waarde van de eed*](https://pure.uva.nl/ws/files/2227134/136142_PDF_2474weboratie_Soeharno_definitief.pdf) [*The value of the oath*] (PDF) (Speech) (in Dutch). Vossiuspers [UvA](/source/University_of_Amsterdam). Retrieved 16 December 2021 – via [Universiteit van Amsterdam](/source/Universiteit_van_Amsterdam).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Knipping, Joris; Wegerif, Robien (18 December 2019). ["Jonathan Soeharno: "Wie bepaalt er nou of iemand geloofwaardig is?""](https://www.rechtencircuit.nl/jonathan-soeharno-de-brauw/) [Jonathan Soeharno: "Who determined whether someone is believable?"]. *Rechtencircuit.nl* (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 December 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-uva_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-uva_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-uva_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-uva_6-3) ["Jonathan Soeharno, hoogleraar Rechtspleging in rechtsfilosofisch perspectief"](https://www.uva.nl/content/nieuws/hoogleraarsbenoemingen/2012/11/soeharno-jonathan.html) [Jonathan Soeharno, administration of justice and legal philosophy professor]. *Universiteit van Amsterdam* (Press release) (in Dutch). 29 November 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Jonathan Soeharno"](https://www.debrauw.com/people/jonathan-soeharno). *[De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek](/source/De_Brauw_Blackstone_Westbroek)*. Retrieved 16 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** De Fijter, Nico (7 February 2011). ["De rechters in de schijnwerpers"](https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/de-rechters-in-de-schijnwerpers~b368bac9/) [The judges in the limelight]. *[Trouw](/source/Trouw)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Fortuyn, Sabine Droogleever (22 May 2013). ["Een herijking van de waarde van de eed"](https://www.advocatenblad.nl/2013/05/23/een-herijking-van-de-waarde-van-de-eed-2/) [A reassessment of the worth of the oath]. *Advocatenblad* (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 December 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-EK2_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-EK2_10-1) ["Jonathan Soeharno (CDA) geïnstalleerd als Eerste Kamerlid"](https://www.eerstekamer.nl/nieuws/20210928/jonathan_soeharno_cda) [Jonathan Soeharno (CDA) installed as senator]. *Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal* (Press release) (in Dutch). 28 September 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [""Een nieuwe wet? Vraag eens een theoloog om advies""](https://www.rd.nl/artikel/828891-een-nieuwe-wet-vraag-eens-een-theoloog-om-advies) ["A new law? Ask a theologian for advice"]. *[Reformatorisch Dagblad](/source/Reformatorisch_Dagblad)* (in Dutch). 3 January 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-cda_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-cda_12-1) ["CDA stelt kandidatenlijsten Europees Parlement en Eerste Kamer vast"](https://web.archive.org/web/20211216172910/https://www.cda.nl/actueel/nieuws/cda-stelt-kandidatenlijsten-europees-parlement-en-eerste-kamer-vast-180960) [CDA adopts party lists European Parliament and Senate]. *[CDA](/source/Christian_Democratic_Appeal)* (Press release) (in Dutch). 1 December 2018. Archived from [the original](https://www.cda.nl/actueel/nieuws/cda-stelt-kandidatenlijsten-europees-parlement-en-eerste-kamer-vast-180960) on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Eerste Kamer 27 mei 2019"](https://www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl/verkiezingen/detail/EK20190527) [Senate 27 May 2019]. *Databank Verkiezingsuitslagen* (in Dutch). Dutch Electoral Council. Retrieved 16 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Lidmaatschappen J.E. Soeharno"](https://www.eerstekamer.nl/commissies?lid=vlmhcxu8t8gf) [Memberships J.E. Soeharno]. *Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal* (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Prof. dr. mr. J.E. (Jonathan) Soeharno"](https://www.uva.nl/profiel/s/o/j.e.soeharno/j.e.soeharno.html). *Universiteit van Amsterdam* (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Ben Knapen (CDA) keert terug in de Eerste Kamer"](https://www.eerstekamer.nl/nieuws/20220203/ben_knapen_cda_keert_terug_in_de) [Ben Knapen (CDA) will return to the Senate]. *Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal* (Press release) (in Dutch). 3 February 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Driessen, Camil (28 October 2022). ["Brandbrief wegens een gebrek aan onafhankelijkheid bij het toezicht op de advocatuur"](https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2022/10/28/brandbrief-wegens-gebrek-onafhankelijkheid-bij-toezicht-op-advocatuur-a4146602) [Urgent letter due to lack of independence in the supervision of the legal profession]. *[NRC](/source/NRC_Handelsblad)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Proces-verbaal uitslag Eerste Kamerverkiezing 2023"](https://www.kiesraad.nl/adviezen-en-publicaties/proces-verbalen/2023/6/1/proces-verbaal-uitslag-eerste-kamerverkiezing-2023) [Records of the results of the 2023 Senate election] (PDF). *Dutch Electoral Council* (in Dutch). 1 June 2023. pp. 20–21. Retrieved 10 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Pijnappels, Kees (29 June 2017). ["Commissie Loorbach: minder gilde, meer missie"](https://www.advocatenblad.nl/2017/06/29/commissie-loorbach-gedragsregels/) [Loorbach Committee: less guild, more mission]. *Advocatenblad* (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["New Radboud University Supervisory Board complete, with Merel van Vroonhoven as chair"](https://web.archive.org/web/20211216172904/https://www.ru.nl/english/news-agenda/news/vm/2021/january/merel-van-vroonhoven-chair-new-supervisory-board/). *[Radboud University](/source/Radboud_University)* (Press release). 21 January 2021. Archived from [the original](https://www.ru.nl/english/news-agenda/news/vm/2021/january/merel-van-vroonhoven-chair-new-supervisory-board/) on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Jonathan Soeharno steps down as member of Radboud University's Supervisory Board"](https://web.archive.org/web/20211216172904/https://www.ru.nl/english/@1308055/jonathan-soeharno-steps-down-member-radboud/). *Radboud University* (Press release). Archived from [the original](https://www.ru.nl/english/@1308055/jonathan-soeharno-steps-down-member-radboud/) on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Instelling adviescollege inzake de werking van artikel 57 Grondwet en benoeming leden"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230710211500/https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/04/21/instelling-adviescollege-inzake-de-werking-van-artikel-57-grondwet-en-benoeming-leden) [Establishment of an advisory committee for the functioning of Article 57 of the Constitution and the appointment of members]. *Government of the Netherlands* (Press release) (in Dutch). 21 April 2023. Archived from [the original](https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/04/21/instelling-adviescollege-inzake-de-werking-van-artikel-57-grondwet-en-benoeming-leden) on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.

v t e Members of the Senate of the Netherlands, 2019–2023 Senate 11 June 2019 – 13 June 2023 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD – 12) Jorritsma ‹Adriaansens› Arbouw Van Ballekom Van den Berg De Blécourt Bruijn (President) De Bruijn-Wezeman ‹Van der Burg› Geerdink Keunen Klip-Martin Meijer L. Vos ‹Wever› Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA – 9) Knapen Atsma Doornhof Essers Van Kesteren Oomen-Ruijten Prins Rietkerk Rombouts ‹Soeharno› GroenLinks (GL – 8) Rosenmöller De Boer Ganzevoort Van Gurp Karimi Kluit Krijnen Veldhoen ‹Vendrik› Democrats 66 (D66 – 7) Bredenoord Backer Dittrich ‹Van Huffelen› Moonen Pijlman Stienen Van der Voort Labour Party (PvdA – 6) M. Vos Crone Fiers Karakus Koole ‹Nooren› Recourt ‹Sent› Party for Freedom (PVV – 5) Faber Bezaan Van Hattem Van Kesteren Van Strien Socialist Party (SP – 4) Janssen Van Apeldoorn Gerkens Janssen Kox Christian Union (CU – 3) Huizinga ‹Bikker› ‹Ester› † Kennedy Talsma Verkerk Party for the Animals (PvdD – 3) Koffeman Nicolaï Prast ‹Teunissen› 50PLUS (50+ – 2) Van Rooijen Baay-Timmerman Reformed Political Party (SGP – 2) Schalk Van Dijk Forum for Democracy (FVD – 3) Dessing ‹Cliteur› Independent Senate Group (OSF – 1) Raven ‹Gerbrandy› Nanninga Group (Indep. – 7) Nanninga Berkhout Beukering Hermans Van der Linden Van Pareren ‹Pouw-Verweij› Van Wely Otten Group (Indep. – 2) Otten ‹Baljeu› ‹Rookmaker› De Vries Frentrop Group (Indep. – 2) Frentrop Hiddema Bold indicates the parliamentary leader (first mentioned) and the President; (Brackets) indicate a temporarily absent member; Italics indicate a temporary member; ‹Guillemets› indicate a member who has left the Senate See also: Members of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, 2017–2021 · 2021–2023

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jonathan Soeharno](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Soeharno) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Soeharno?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.