Legal trends - Guess Who? The most game-changing M&A deals of recent years (off Italy)

and how I used them for a coaching session

Do you know what I like?

Helping female corporate lawyers juggle with a demanding life and career.

Because I’m damn good at making life easier for individuals and organizations.

[I'm not arrogant; I just have enough experience to know that what I do isn't found around the corner. In fact, it is the only specialised coaching in Corporate and M&A in Italy.]

But I wouldn’t be so good without being open-minded and having a deep understanding of the environment. Which means to read, analyse, and assess what happens in the world of corporate and M&A (both in and off Italy).

Trust me: corporate lawyers DO need a coach because of the nature of their profession itself.

When they think they've grabbed the solutions, market and regulations have dramatically changed AGAIN.

As if that weren’t enough, there are no longer any geographical market differences; all transactions are interconnected within the intricate networks of private equity, venture capital, and every kind of extraordinary operation.

That’s why I run this business—the level of complexity a corporate lawyer deals with requires a lot more skills.

The kind that takes years to master without external help, from someone who doesn’t own a stake in the game.

Yes, fundamental because internal competition blinds even the saints (and mentors are humans).

You might think that once you’re familiar with the environment and clients you’re done, but there’s nothing further from reality.

You have to practice to dive into hidden nuances and use creativity to forecast possible hurdles that can jeopardize your work.

That's why working with a specialised coach is a game-changer: it's not just about knowledge, but about elevating that knowledge to master connections, intertwining experiences, and leveraging them for the profession.

This is a short demo of how I work. We could start a session playing a game: do you know Guess Who?

What if we look beyond the game-changing M&A of the last years by changing our perspective?

Corporate law is a fast-paced world, staying ahead of industry-shaping deals is crucial! But it hasn't to be boring.

Last years have seen some remarkable mergers and acquisitions that are not just transforming industries but also providing fertile ground for legal minds to flex their expertise.

Let’s dive into the most notable transactions that have everyone talking in the boardrooms and beyond (some are still in progress or aborted).

Don't forget to stay connected and subscribe to Law&Spark newsletter for the upcoming Italian trend (spoiler).

1. Microsoft’s power move

Activision Blizzard When Microsoft announced its plan to acquire Activision Blizzard, it wasn’t just a headline— it was a game-changer. For corporate lawyers, this $68.7 billion deal represents a massive influx of IP considerations, antitrust scrutiny, and integration challenges. Think of it as onboarding a partner with a massive book of business that needs careful management to blend seamlessly into the firm’s culture.

The deal has faced regulatory scrutiny and is still subject to approval by various global regulators. As of now, it has not been fully completed.

2. Amazon’s hollywood foray

MGM Studios Amazon’s acquisition of MGM Studios, valued at $8.45 billion, is akin to bringing in a star litigator to elevate the firm’s profile. This deal enriched Amazon’s Prime Video content library (including my beloved 007 saga) and provided a treasure trove of entertainment IP, setting the stage for a myriad of licensing agreements, distribution deals, and, undoubtedly, some intriguing litigation.

3. Broadcom’s bold bet

VMware in a $61 billion agreement, Broadcom’s purchase of VMware marks a strategic expansion into cloud computing and virtualization. For corporate legal teams, this merger presents a tapestry of due diligence tasks, integration challenges, and potential antitrust hurdles, similar to merging with a niche boutique firm to broaden the practice’s scope.

Guess what? Regulatory approval still pending at the present.

4. The Elon effect

Twitter Takeover Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter is still the talk of the town, reminiscent of a maverick partner joining the firm and shaking up the status quo. The implications for corporate governance, employee relations, and free speech are immense, offering corporate lawyers a plethora of new challenges to navigate.

5. Oracle’s healthcare play

Cerner Oracle’s acquisition of Cerner, valued at $28.3 billion, is a strategic leap into the healthcare sector. This move is like a corporate giant establishing a dedicated health law division, demanding expertise in regulatory compliance, patient data security, and healthcare transactions. I'm curious on further development.

6. AMD’s strategic addition

Xilinx AMD’s $35 billion acquisition of Xilinx was a pivotal move in the semiconductor industry. It’s akin to a firm recruiting top-tier trial attorneys to bolster its litigation capabilities, presenting opportunities in patent law, technology transfers, and competitive strategy.

7. Salesforce’s communicative coup

Slack Salesforce’s $27.7 billion acquisition of Slack was a landmark deal in the enterprise software domain. For corporate lawyers, it’s like implementing a cutting-edge case management system that transforms daily operations, creating new avenues for contract negotiation and intellectual property management.

Imagine the impact of this deal!

8. NVIDIA’s ambitious pursuit

Arm NVIDIA’s attempted $40 billion acquisition of Arm has faced significant regulatory headwinds, much like a firm trying to poach a high-profile partner under the watchful eye of the bar association. The outcome of this deal could have far-reaching implications for the semiconductor industry and antitrust law.

But it faced, as I said, significant regulatory challenges and was ultimately abandoned in February 2022 due to regulatory hurdles. With much relief for AMD!

9. Media powerhouse merger: Discovery and WarnerMedia

The merger between Discovery and WarnerMedia, valued at $43 billion, is akin to combining a powerhouse litigation firm with a renowned corporate practice, creating a versatile media giant. Legal teams had to navigate the complexities of content distribution, antitrust issues, and international regulations. But it was worth it: completion of the giant media and content distribution system was completed in 2022.

10. Google’s cybersecurity expansion

Mandiant Google’s acquisition of Mandiant for $5.4 billion was a strategic move to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities. It’s like a firm bringing in a specialized white-collar crime unit to protect against corporate fraud, presenting new challenges in data security, privacy laws, and regulatory compliance. The more we navigate, the more we need up-to-date and high-performance security systems (they knew it!).

This is how it works, these deals are more than just financial maneuvers; they are intricate puzzles requiring sharp legal minds to ensure seamless execution and integration. That's why I picked them to practice today as an example.

As corporate lawyers, staying informed and ready to tackle the complexities of such high-stakes transactions is not just advantageous—it’s essential.

Who knows which deal will be next to shake up the industry and provide your firm with the next big opportunity?

Stay tuned, and stay sharp.

Can't wait to work together, get in touch!

I help corporate lawyer mothers juggling with a demanding life and career without losing their spark. Let's talk!