2025 Mergers and Acquisitions eConference

Hot Topics in Private Equity M&A (Dec 2025)

The latest trends and strategies shaping the dynamic world of private equity M&A from pros in the know, who will share insights on navigating the latest in complex deal structures, maximizing value, and staying ahead of the curve in PE’s rapidly evolving market.

Originally presented: Oct 2025 Mergers and Acquisitions Institute

Rita-Anne O'Neill, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP - Los Angeles, CA
Brent Beckert, Haynes and Boone, LLP - Dallas, TX
Agnieszka Rafalska, EQT Group - New York, NY
Brittany A. Sakowitz, Kirkland & Ellis LLP - Houston, TX
Matthew B. Wiener, Aon - Houston, TX

DExit and Texas: Race to the Top? (Dec 2025)

Actions by the Texas Legislature in 2025 in amending the Texas Business Organizations Code and the statutes governing the Texas Business Court, which began accepting cases on September 1, 2024, mark major steps forward in the state’s legal infrastructure and make Texas a more friendly place in which to be organized and to do business. As a result, Texas’ standing as a premier destination for business and finance is enhanced and should result in additional entities choosing to be domiciled in Texas. The panelists provide insightful perspectives on these legislative developments and the jurisdiction and operation of the new Texas Business Court in its first year of operations.

Originally presented: Oct 2025 Mergers and Acquisitions Institute

Shane Goodwin, Southern Methodist University - Dallas, TX
Hon. William G. Whitehill, First Division Texas Business Court - Dallas, TX
Byron F. Egan, Jackson Walker LLP - Dallas, TX
Lauren Pringle, The Chancery Daily - Wilmington, DE
Eric Talley, Columbia Law School - New York, NY

New Sheriff in Town: Crafting Regulatory Strategy and Negotiating Today's Antitrust Provisions (Dec 2025)

Examine different approaches to craft an effective regulatory strategy in light of the broader priorities of the Trump administration. In addition, explore how antitrust provisions in purchase agreements have evolved under the Trump administration, which has shown greater receptivity to both structural and conduct remedies.

Originally presented: Oct 2025 Mergers and Acquisitions Institute

Jenny Hochenberg, Freshfields US LLP - New York, NY
Thaddeus E. Chase, Jr., McDermott Will & Schulte - Dallas, TX
Andrew Forman, Latham & Watkins LLP - Washington, DC
Robert B. Little, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP - Dallas, TX
Kavita Pillai, McKesson Corporation - Atlanta, GA

TXSE: Gamechanger for M&A Too? (Dec 2025)

Originally presented: Oct 2025 Mergers and Acquisitions Institute

Nicole Chambers, Texas Stock Exchange | TXSE Group Inc - Dallas, TX
Wilson Chu, McDermott Will & Schulte - Dallas, TX

Conflict Transactions: Developments in Navigating Perilous Waters (Dec 2025)

Recent court opinions and amendments to state legislation have changed the rules for conflict transactions. Panelists discuss steps companies and their stockholders, directors and officers should take before and during deals in light of the changes, and what happens if they don’t.

Originally presented: Oct 2025 Mergers and Acquisitions Institute

Michael G. O'Bryan, Morrison & Foerster - San Francisco, CA
Scott B. Crofton, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP - New York, NY
Abby Davis, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP - Houston, TX
Robert R. Kibby, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. - Dallas, TX
Kimberly Spoerri, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP - New York, NY

Current Issues in Energy M&A (Dec 2025)

US energy demand continues to grow, and changes in federal policy have impacted deal flow in oil and gas, as well as in renewable and thermal power generation. Hear the latest trends, how the market is responding, and how transaction terms are changing in response. 

Originally presented: Oct 2025 Mergers and Acquisitions Institute

Cliff W. Vrielink, Sidley Austin LLP - Houston, TX
M. Preston Bernhisel, Baker Botts L.L.P. - Dallas, TX
Jessica W. Hammons, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP - Dallas, TX
Claire Harvey, EIV Capital, LLC - Houston, TX

The Last Word on Fraud: Everything You Need to Know About Negotiating Fraud-Related Provisions in Acquisitions (Dec 2025)

Fraud-related provisions are among the most hotly contested provisions in acquisitions today, yet many buy-side and sell-side practitioners fail to fully appreciate how these provisions operate in practice and the nuances of negotiating and drafting them. Using the format of an illustrative mock negotiation, the panelists demonstrate the ways in which parties can address intra-contractual and extra-contractual fraud, non-reliance clauses, fraud carve-outs, contractual fraud definitions, special fraud indemnities and other important fraud-related issues.

Originally presented: Oct 2025 Mergers and Acquisitions Institute

Richard E. Climan, Hogan Lovells - Silicon Valley, CA
Keith A. Flaum, Hogan Lovells - Silicon Valley, CA
Jessica C. Pearlman, K&L Gates LLP - Seattle, WA

Negotiating and Drafting Around the Most Litigated Risks and Provisions in the RWI World (Dec 2025)

Ever wonder what causes an RWI claim to be denied? After starting with an overview on the current market terms for RWI, this panel explores the top three-four R&Ws that have claims made against an RWI policy and the related damages issues and how to draft those R&Ws to cover the expectation of the insured and not become denied claims due to a failure in drafting.

Originally presented: Oct 2025 Mergers and Acquisitions Institute

David Rex, Prophet Equity - Southlake, TX
William M. Monat, Mosaic Insurance - Chicago, IL
Jeffrey J. Mordaunt, Stout Risius Ross, LLC - Cleveland, OH
Kevin V. Small, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP - New York, NY
Andrew Zimmerman, WTW - New York, NY

Deal Ethics (Dec 2025)

In the high-stakes world of M&A, deal lawyers must balance the interests of their clients with the demands of professional conduct, navigating the maze that is confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and the ever-present temptation to push boundaries. Explore more real-world ethical challenges that can make or break a deal—all while keeping you from being the target of a disciplinary investigation.

Originally presented: Oct 2025 Mergers and Acquisitions Institute

David I. Albin, Finn Dixon & Herling LLP - Stamford, CT
Nathaniel L. Doliner, Carlton Fields - Tampa, FL

Indemnification Provisions in Private Company M&A: How Would Your Provision Hold up in Court? (Dec 2025)

Despite the proliferation of no-indemnity deals, particularly in private equity transactions, indemnification remains a frequently utilized means of providing the buyer either the sole or a supplemental remedy for a seller’s breach of the bargained-for representations and warranties made in a private company acquisition agreement. This panel addresses some of the surprising issues that can arise when seeking to enforce these provisions.

Originally presented: Oct 2025 Mergers and Acquisitions Institute

Glenn D. West, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP - Dallas, TX
Joel I. Greenberg, Arnold & Porter - New York, NY
Lisa J. Hedrick, Hirschler - Richmond, VA