Avinash Patel, a Partner at PJT Partners, shares his expertise on the critical role of investment bankers in M&A. He discusses the challenge of reputation, emphasizing the importance of trust and long-term relationships. Avinash explains the strategic differences when working with public versus private companies and how to evaluate the right private equity partners. He also highlights the shifting power dynamics in M&A and the necessity of understanding seller motivations for successful transactions.