M&A Execution: Strategy from Skadden Expert Arash Attar

Aug 11, 2025

Arash Attar-Rezvani, an M&A Partner at Skadden with over 20 years of experience, dives deep into execution strategies in M&A. He demystifies French labor laws and offers savvy ways to structure workforce reductions. With a spotlight on cross-cultural negotiation, he emphasizes that listening trumps dominating discussions. Arash also discusses the revolutionary role of AI in legal services, advocating for a shift to success fees instead of traditional hourly billing, ensuring clients get better value.

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ADVICE

When To Raise Complex Scenarios

Have enough information on the target before asserting scenarios.
In auctions, delay firm demands until LOI or keep the LOI non-binding until you commit.

ADVICE

Open With Local Courtesy

Start French meetings with bonjour and a bit of small talk to show respect.
Mirror cues, listen first, and avoid blunt American directness to build rapport.

ADVICE

Make Listening Your Core Tactic

Make listening your core tactic and watch how participants interact.
Adapt tone, notice if they use humor, and give what matters to them to win trust.

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Arash Attar-Rezvani - M&A Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

In part two of this masterclass conversation, Arash Attar-Rezvani gets into the execution challenges that separate successful M&A practitioners from the rest. From deconstructing French labor consultation myths to revealing how AI will reshape legal advisory models, this segment delivers actionable frameworks for advanced deal execution.

Things You'll Learn

How to structure aggressive workforce reduction plans within French labor laws and turn compliance into deal terms
The psychology of cross-cultural deal-making and why listening trumps being the loudest voice in the room
How AI will reshape M&A legal services and why success fees may replace hourly billing

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See how US Heart & Vascular scaled M&A with DealRoom on August 14th,11am EST

Learn how to consolidate diligence across vendors, the simple system they use to hit deadlines, and how they cut weeks off close timelines, without burning out the team.

____________________ Episode Chapters

[00:33:00] French Labor Law Reality – Why employment consultation is easier than American buyers think [00:36:00] Aggressive Cost Synergy Planning – How to structure 40% workforce reductions within European frameworks [00:40:00] Cross-Cultural Negotiation Mastery – Reading the room and adapting communication styles for French business culture [00:47:00] Defining High-Stakes Transactions – Why people's livelihoods matter more than dollar amounts in deal significance [00:51:30] First-of-Kind Deal Innovation – Creating the Luxembourg/Hong Kong take-private structure when no legal path existed [00:55:30] AI's Impact on Legal Advisory – How automation will force fee model evolution and reshape junior lawyer training [01:01:30] Deal Structure Evolution – From SPACs boom-bust to emerging PE club deals and earnout complications [01:06:30] Partnership Career Strategy – Why obsessing over partnership tracks derails early career development [01:10:00] Integrity Under Pressure – Handling government interference and corruption while maintaining client relationships

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