M&A Wakes Up from Too-Long Slumber - Big Law Could Be Off to Another Record Year

 Bad news sells. Legal media had been busy warning, like a Greek Chorus, how demand for Big Law services could be in decline for 2025. The record revenue and Profit Per Equity Partner of 2024 wouldn't be replicated.

Instead, a key driver of revenue - M&A - has bounced back. The deals include the planned Verizon acquisition of Frontier and Cox's merger with Charter Communications. Among the law firms in the loop are Latham, Wachtell, Cravath, Debevoise, Paul Weiss and Skadden. 

Obviously the controversial deals law firms such as Latham and Paul Weiss made with the Trump administration hasn't derailed their business development. 

While this is good news for large law firms it eventually could worsen the recession in knowledge work. The hoped-for synergies created usually slash manpower demands. The new entity, for example, only requires one investor relations function. 

It had been the consolidations in the late 1980s, orchestrated by corporate leaders such as GE's Jack Welch, which put in play the purging of middle managers. 

In my coaching I urge clients to research the data points which could indicate their employers would find a merger useful or could be a takeover target. 

Scared by the uncertainty? Special expertise with transitions, reskilling and startups. Complimentary consultation with Intuitive Coach Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com).