The Legal 500’s London M&A rankings are among the most competitive across the entire UK guide, with high-profile dealmakers vying for position among the upper echelons of the market, national practices competing for recognition in the mid-market, and smaller, specialist teams hoovering up lower-value – but just as complex – transactions for acquisitive clients. Continue reading “The real deal – the firms dominating the rankings for M&A”
Rafael Salaberren Dupont, Juan Manuel Campos Álvarez, and Diego D’Odorico of SyLS discuss the processes, challenges, and prospects for M&A in Argentina
Continue reading “Understanding mergers and acquisitions in Argentina”
In the wake of recent advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI), AI has shot to the top of the board agenda. No one wants to miss out on this transformative technology – but businesses need to ensure FOMO doesn’t lead to bad investments. Jonny Bethell and Jo Joyce of Taylor Wessing explore the potential pitfalls to avoid in AI acquisitions
Multiple signs are pointing to an increasing momentum around M&A activity. If you’ve been holding out for better conditions to sell your business, now is the time to make sure you’re exit ready. Taylor Wessing’s Emma Danks, Suzy Davis and Siobhán Langwade outline key areas of focus and practical matters
After two subdued years, global M&A activity is showing signs of recovery. Though large-ticket M&A and private equity deals have been suppressed, Q1 2024 recorded the highest number of large deals per quarter in nearly 24 months1.
Continue reading “M&A Yearbook: Foreword – Taylor Wessing: Blue skies ahead”
Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra lawyers led by Mark S. Gorriceta (managing partner), Kristine T. Torres (partner) and Kathleen T. Guiang (mid level associate) explore the challenges, cross-border elements and post acquisition disputes for M&A transactions in the Philippines
Continue reading “Capitalising on opportunities in the Philippines”
Why did you decide to become an M&A lawyer, and has it lived up to expectations?
My great grandfather was a lawyer, my grandfather was a lawyer, my father is a lawyer. I told my parents when I finished high school that I was considering a career as a doctor… you can imagine the reaction…
Why did you decide to become an M&A lawyer, and has it lived up to expectations?
M&A was the fourth seat of my training contract at King & Wood Mallesons. Until then, I was going to be a litigator.
I’ve always been swayed by people more than anything else. During my fourth seat I was supervised by the incredible Alison Lansley – a leading M&A partner in Australia. She is inspirational… and the decision to qualify in M&A was an easy one.
Why did you decide to become an M&A lawyer, and has it lived up to expectations?
I became an M&A lawyer because I was instantly drawn to the pace and diversity that comes with being at the centre of a transaction – I don’t think my personality would work well not knowing everything about everything on a transaction. Being an M&A partner has definitely lived up to my expectations – it has been a privilege to work with really smart, dedicated and diverse teams within my firm, and with clients and advisers – the feeling of being part of a team that is striving to achieve something difficult together is the reason I still love what I do.
Whatever metric you track, 2023 was a poor year for M&A. One bright spark amid the gloom was the proposed £15bn merger between Vodafone UK and Three UK, which was announced in summer 2023. If cleared by competition authorities, the deal will create the UK’s biggest mobile phone operator.
The transaction was one of the five largest announced UK M&A deals by value last year according to Dealogic data, seeing Vodafone and CK Hutchison – the Hong-Kong based owner of Three – announce their intention to combine both UK mobile arms.
Continue reading “Dialling in the deal – the inside track on the Vodafone/Three merger”
In many ways, the deal is the easy part. Financing in place, subclauses, choosing exactly the right type of pen to make things official, and there you have it – it’s announced. Your company intends to acquire another company – and at a great price! You’re confident this is a transaction from which the public will benefit as well. You, the buyer. Them, the seller. Any number of interested third parties. You hold these things to be self-evident – it’s a good deal.
Then the phone rings. Your blood chills. There’s somebody you forgot to ask.
The Federal Trade Commission. Worse still – the Department of Justice agrees with them.
Continue reading “To live or die in DC – getting deals done amid US antitrust crackdown”
Jérôme Terfve and Guillaume Charlier report on the treatment of excess cash in M&A transactions by the Belgian authorities
‘There is hope that 2024 will be a year of recovery for the M&A market,’ says Gavin Davies, head of Herbert Smith Freehills’ global M&A practice.
Over at FTSE adviser stalwart Slaughter and May, the firm’s co-head of corporate and M&A, Richard Smith, agrees that the firm is ‘happy’ with the way 2024 has started but admits that things are ‘still quite fragile’.
Continue reading “Cleared for departure – charting the course for deal optimism”
When M&A markets slowed down in the second half of 2022, the positive spin from dealmakers was that at least they got a little respite after the heady heights of the post-pandemic 2021 deal boom.
Please see below for a link to an online pdf of the M&A Yearbook 2024. Continue reading “M&A Yearbook 2024 – online PDF”
Gatehouse Chambers property and probate silk Brie Stevens-Hoare KC on coming out, fitting in and how the profession needs to continue to push back against toxic narratives
McDermott Will & Emery has built its London real estate bench today with a dual hire from Fried Frank, including the firm’s former head of European real estate.
Continue reading “McDermott hires Fried Frank real estate duo in London”
US West Coast firm becomes latest to target London tech transactions market with eye-catching hire of ex-White & Case dealmaker
West Coast firm Perkins Coie has become the latest US player to set up shop in London, launching a technology-focused corporate practice led by former White & Case, Linklaters and Clifford Chance partner Ian Bagshaw (pictured). Continue reading “‘Shaping the City’s tech industry’ – Perkins Coie lands in London with hire of private equity veteran Bagshaw”
Paul Hastings has recruited finance partner Reena Gogna in London, marking the latest hire for the acquisitive US firm in the City. Continue reading “Paul Hastings picks up highly-rated Weil acquisition finance partner in London”
