Global M&A Guide Edited by Sullivan & Cromwell Dealmaker Frank Aquila Launches Today

Why It Matters

The guide equips dealmakers with granular, cross‑border legal insight at a time when private‑equity dominance and geopolitical risk are reshaping transaction strategy, helping firms navigate divergent regulatory landscapes efficiently.

Key Takeaways

• Guide covers M&A law in 34 jurisdictions.
• Highlights surge in large‑cap and public‑to‑private deals 2025.
• Private capital now a structural pillar of global dealmaking.
• Geopolitics moves to forefront of transaction planning.

Pulse Analysis

The inaugural Law Over Borders Global M&A guide arrives as cross‑border deal activity rebounds after a period of uncertainty. By mapping the legal architecture of 34 jurisdictions, the publication fills a critical knowledge gap for corporations and investors seeking to capitalize on the 2025 resurgence of large‑cap and public‑to‑private transactions. Its jurisdiction‑specific analysis is especially valuable as regulators tighten scrutiny on antitrust, ESG, and data‑privacy compliance, forcing deal teams to adopt more nuanced, region‑tailored approaches.

A central theme of the guide is the ascendance of private capital—private equity, sovereign wealth funds, private credit platforms, and family offices—now embedded in the core of global M&A. This shift has altered transaction techniques, with sponsors demanding greater scale, technological capability, and supply‑chain resilience. Simultaneously, geopolitical tensions have moved from a background factor to a primary consideration, influencing deal structuring, financing sources, and post‑closing integration plans. The guide’s essays dissect these dynamics, offering practitioners strategic foresight on how to mitigate risk and leverage opportunities in an increasingly complex environment.

Beyond its analytical depth, the guide serves as a networking catalyst. Its print edition will debut at an exclusive roundtable hosted by Aquila at Sullivan & Cromwell’s New York office, convening leading M&A lawyers just before the International Bar Association’s 23rd Annual M&A Conference. Attendees will gain direct access to the guide’s insights while engaging with peers shaping the next wave of global transactions. For firms aiming to stay ahead, the guide is both a reference tool and a conduit to the community driving modern dealmaking.