Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is a branch of corporate law dealing with companies that are purchasing and/or merging with other companies.
M&A lawyers assist their clients with the appropriate financing for mergers and acquisitions and provide advice concerning the drafting, negotiation, and performance of contracts for the sale of portions of the business. M&A transactions are among the most complex and significant events in the life of a firm— the consequences of which reverberate both internally and externally.
The vast majority of M&A work is done at large and medium firms. Large firms often focus on the buying and selling of public companies. These are generally the biggest and most complex deals, are often cross-border and can involve cash and/or stock considerations. M&A deals between private companies can also be multifaceted, particularly where partnerships are involved.