The Deal

Akin’s Doug Rappaport and Jason Koenig discuss strategic board subcommittee disclosures, books and records requests and unintended consequences for companies with 13D rules.

Steve Epstein, the co-head of M&A and PE at Fried Frank, discusses his time as a junior banker in Frank Quattrone’s tech group at Credit Suisse, his return to the law and the challenges of running a group.  

David Dubner, a global head of M&A structuring at Goldman Sachs, discusses the growth in corporate separations amid rising interest rates. They explore notable deals, equity consideration, and valuation gaps in the M&A market. The reasons behind the increase in spin-off activity in certain sectors and the significance of spin-offs in the TMT sector are also discussed. The performance of parent companies and spinoff transactions is measured using a two-year measurement period. The expectations and trends surrounding spin-offs and corporate simplification, including the role of private credit in M&A, are explored.

Corsair Partner Jeremy Schein discusses the convergence of payments and software, unpacks a recent insurance exit and takes stock of sponsors' portco pipeline.

In the latest Drinks With The Deal podcast, Fenwick M&A partner Bomi Lee talked about her decision to focus on tech M&A and what changes when a lawyer makes partner at a firm. 

Dave Tayeh, Head of North American private equity at Investcorp, shares his expertise in backing essential middle market businesses. He dives into the importance of focusing on 'needs versus wants' in investments. Tayeh discusses the growth of a seafood wholesale firm during the pandemic and highlights road safety initiatives and investment strategies in HVAC. He also sheds light on the challenges of M&A in today’s market and the critical role of private credit, emphasizing strategic decision-making for sustainable business growth.

Partners at Baker McKenzie discuss the complexities and importance of competition issues in M&A deals, including the impact of proposed merger guidelines and increased regulatory scrutiny. They explore monitoring legislative changes, enforcement of mergers in various sectors, and navigating antitrust hurdles. The chapter also expresses gratitude to Baker McKenzie for sponsoring the podcast.

Eli Albrecht, a partner at SMB Law Group, talks about creating an M&A practice outside of a large law firm on this week’s Drinks With The Deal podcast.  

White & Case partner James Hu explains why activists frequently push for sales and divestitures and how a transaction without a shareholder vote can attract insurgent funds. 

Guest Harry Sloan, head of MGM, discusses successful SPACs, Eagle Equity's approach, and hiring Tom Cruise. Other topics include the rise of SPACs as an alternative to IPOs, changing perception of gambling in sports, biotech deals with AI, staying on board companies, and convincing the SEC to match sponsors with the right company.