The Deal

Franchise Equity Partners founder and co-managing partner Michael Esposito dives into the investment firm's growth since its launch in 2021; its investments in restaurants, residential services and the auto aftermarket; and M&A expectations for 2025.

Sanjay Murti, an M&A partner at Freshfields in New York, shares insights from his impressive career. He reflects on his journey from tech to law, revealing how an early interest in computer science shaped his path. Murti discusses the essential traits he looks for in aspiring associates, emphasizing the importance of proactive attitudes. He also navigates the complexities of significant mergers and acquisitions, sharing challenges faced during the pandemic and the value of maintaining work-life balance amidst high-stakes transactions.

Sagar Gupta, who oversees Anson Fund's activism activities, discusses why sector specialization is vital for an activist, and he also talks about recent campaigns at Twilio, Globalstar and Lionsgate.

John Bessonette, a partner at Kramer Levin in New York, talks about how he developed a practice that includes both M&A and restructuring and his firm's pending merger with Herbert Smith Freehills. 

Stephen Brown, senior adviser and managing director at KPMGa's Board Leadership Center, covers a number of topics, including why he thinks there could be unintended consequences to new limits on activist shareholder proposals.

Dave Perkins, the co-head of PE at Cravath, talks about being called up from the U.S. Army Reserve to serve in Afghanistan as a young associate and how he approached building a PE practice at his law firm.

Aaron Suh, an M&A and PE partner at Morgan Lewis and managing partner of the firm's Philadelphia office, discusses how he approached changing firms and cities and the deep influence his father has had on his approach to his career.

Founder and president John Ferrara dives into the middle market investment bank's growth over two decades and his expectations for dealmaking in 2025. 

Joel Friedlander talks about how he came to focus on plaintiff-side work in the Delaware courts and the enjoyment he gets from writing about and teaching law as well as practicing it. 

Corporate defender and Skadden partner Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sussman discusses what motivated her decision to move away from defending activists, as well as tactics that backfire, settlement subcommittee pros and cons and governance vulnerabilities.