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fivehundred, the magazine from The Legal 500, combines the knowledge of our experienced editors and researchers with expert contributors to give you an insight into the global themes affecting the legal profession.

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Cleared for departure – charting the course for deal optimism

M&A Yearbook 2024

After a dismal 2023 for dealmaking, partners are focusing on the positives, despite lingering economic and geopolitical uncertainties. So is the M&A market ready for takeoff?

Inside this Edition

Interview with… Hande Mahmutoğlu – Assistant Legal Counsel at Doğuş Hospitality & Retail Group

Tell us about your career choice and journey. And what made you decide to get into law? During my years at high school, I did not necessarily dream of becoming a lawyer with great enthusiasm. However, I do believe that studying law greatly improves one’s life vision and gusto. I also believe that law is …

Interview with… Buse Elmas – Attorney at Law, Turkish Textile Employer’s Association

What was your route into law?  There was no lawyer in my family or close circle that I could take as an example or be influenced by. I can’t say that it was my childhood dream because I was educated by taking numerical courses. I only remember that my parents told me that you would …

Blue skies ahead

M&A Yearbook 2024

After two subdued years, global M&A activity is showing signs of recovery. Though large-ticket M&A and private equity deals have been suppressed, Q1 2024 recorded the highest number of large deals per quarter in nearly 24 months1.

Cleared for departure – charting the course for deal optimism

M&A Yearbook 2024

After a dismal 2023 for dealmaking, partners are focusing on the positives, despite lingering economic and geopolitical uncertainties. So is the M&A market ready for takeoff?

AI spy: avoiding bad AI investments

M&A Yearbook 2024

In the wake of recent advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI), AI has shot to the top of the board agenda. No one wants to miss out on this transformative technology – but businesses need to ensure FOMO doesn’t lead to bad investments. Jonny Bethell and Jo Joyce of Taylor Wessing explore the potential pitfalls to avoid in AI acquisitions

Dialling in the deal – the inside track on the Vodafone/Three merger

M&A Yearbook 2024

The planned tie-up between Vodafone and Three UK stood out in last year’s stuttering M&A market. Here, Slaughter and May M&A partners Victoria MacDuff and Richard Hilton, lead counsel for Vodafone, tell Legal 500 London editor Cameron Purse all about the deal

Perspectives: Melissa Fogarty

M&A Yearbook 2024

‘I pinch myself (most days!)’ – Clifford Chance’s London corporate co-head Melissa Fogarty on memorable deals, embracing technology and why she would absolutely recommend a career in M&A law

Getting exit ready

M&A Yearbook 2024

Multiple signs are pointing to an increasing momentum around M&A activity. If you’ve been holding out for better conditions to sell your business, now is the time to make sure you’re exit ready. Taylor Wessing’s Emma Danks, Suzy Davis and Siobhán Langwade outline key areas of focus and practical matters

The real deal – the firms dominating the rankings for M&A

M&A Yearbook 2024

From premium, multibillion-pound practices to national players handling heavy
volumes of transactional matters, the Legal 500’s M&A rankings cover the full
gamut of the deals market

Capitalising on opportunities in the Philippines

M&A Yearbook 2024

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra lawyers led by Mark S. Gorriceta (managing partner), Kristine T. Torres (partner) and Kathleen T. Guiang (mid level associate) explore the challenges, cross-border elements and post acquisition disputes for M&A transactions in the Philippines

Stress test – partners on how they deal with a life under pressure

M&A Yearbook 2024

Long and unpredictable hours can make transactional work hard to reconcile with mental health considerations. Elisha Juttla and Holly McKechnie spoke to City partners about how they keep things in check – and why the industry still needs to change

Understanding mergers and acquisitions in Argentina

M&A Yearbook 2024

Rafael Salaberren Dupont, Juan Manuel Campos Álvarez, and Diego D’Odorico of SyLS discuss the processes, challenges, and prospects for M&A in Argentina

Perspectives: Lorenzo Corte

M&A Yearbook 2024

‘The deal was the most complete learning experience I could have ever hoped for’ – Skadden’s global head of transactions Lorenzo Corte on deal highlights and coming from a family of lawyers

To live or die in DC – getting deals done amid US antitrust crackdown

M&A Yearbook 2024

Elite US law firms are stocking up on antitrust expertise as the Federal Trade Commission cracks down on enforcement. Barnaby Merrill speaks to top practitioners about the current deal landscape and the key issues for clients under scrutiny

Excess cash in a Belgian M&A context

M&A Yearbook 2024

Jérôme Terfve and Guillaume Charlier report on the treatment of excess cash in M&A transactions by the Belgian authorities

Perspectives: Jennifer Bethlehem

M&A Yearbook 2024

‘We were at the centre of a deal that was necessary to ensure global financial stability – the stakes don’t get higher’ – Freshfields’ head of consumer and healthcare Jennifer Bethlehem on deal highlights and having the personality for M&A