S&C Global Head of M&A Melissa Sawyer and Rita-Anne O'Neill, co-head of S&C's Global Private Equity Group, spoke on the panel, “Hot Topics in M&A,” at Tulane's Corporate Law Institute in New Orleans. Rita moderated the panel, which covered dealmaking in 2021 and trends for 2022, including macro factors affecting M&A and the impact of developments in SEC rulemaking on activism and spinoffs.
 
The discussion was covered by Reuters (here and here), Axios and Law360. Melissa noted that in an environment of uncertainty, there is more focus on quiet, efficient negotiations. She recommended that before pursuing a deal, management teams check in on their boards. She also discussed the return to in-person interactions, and how that can foster collegiality, trust and confidence. “After all, boards are human beings and deals rely on people trusting each other and trusting the advice that they are receiving,” she said.
 
Rita serves as co-chair of the Institute, which brings together leading mergers and acquisitions and securities practitioners, Delaware Supreme Court and Court of Chancery judges, corporate counsel and investment bankers to discuss key issues in M&A, corporate and securities law.
 
To read more about the panel, click here.