Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury
M&A in 2022 was down by a lot, especially in deal value. Post-pandemic 2021 was a record year, so some decline was more than possible. But according to Refinitiv, the 37 percent global decline in deal values from 2021 was, in fact, the worst year-over-year drop in value since 2001. This week's CDT Roundup observes a few other ways in which 2022 stood out, as well as the names of 167 lawyers who helped forge the first deals of 2023.
In dealmaking 2022 was no 2021. Still, the CDT Roundup reported a total of 778 deals during the 52 weeks just ended, and we can show you how the CDT Roundup's year stacked up against last year's record-smasher — not to mention the names of those Texas lawyers who worked before and during the holidays.
The year about to elapse may not have been a year for record-breaking deals, but it was a year of more than a few notable deals. Tracking the most important transactions is, at best, a fool's errand. But here are ten deals that the CDT Roundup considers the most significant. Not everyone will agree with the choices, but they are worth arguing for or against as we toast the New Year.
Though 2022 has been a relatively slow year for bank deals across the U.S. after a record-breaking amount of activity the year prior, a possible recession could create an environment ripe for mergers and acquisitions. Veteran bank deal lawyer Sandy Brown of Alston & Bird talked with the Dallas Business Journal about what 2023 might bring.
The Mergermarket year-end polling is out and the results are optimistic. More than 60 percent of decision-maker respondents from 300 corporate and PE firms predict overall increases in M&A, despite the ongoing threat of inflation and continued geopolitical challenges. The CDT Roundup has details of the survey, as well as which markets they are predicting will prosper. As always, there are the names of Texas lawyers who advised on 14 deals reported last week.
There are several unique liability issues associated with the purchase of an employee stock ownership plan company which are often overlooked by the purchaser. This article discusses some of the unique liability issues in order to avoid any surprises post-transaction, as well as possible solutions to address these issues.
Last month Texas Capital Bank closed a $3.4 billion sale of its insurance premium finance unit, BankDirect Capital Finance. At the center of that transaction was Anna Alvarado, general counsel of TCB. In a Q&A with Claire Poole, Alvarado discusses that deal, her views on lawyers in the banking business and the steep trajectory of a work life that began picking grapes.
A team led from Houston advised the airline in a widebody aircraft inventory overhaul that will include as many as 200 Boeing 787s over the next decade. Along with earlier announced acquisitions, the company says it will be accepting delivery of some 700 new aircraft, averaging delivery of as many as two per week in 2023.
Houston-based NRG Energy made news last week with their $5.2 billion acquisition Vivint Smart Home Inc. The deal included the assumption of $2.4 billion in debt, and was immediately unpopular with the market, but the company says the deal's expansion of its retail utility product line is worth the price. The CDT Roundup has the lawyers behind that deal, as well as 13 others and a bonus Q&A with Latham partner Ravi Purohit, who has reported several high-profile deals in recent weeks.
There's no surprise in the fact that global PE deals are down. With inflation, market volatility and geopolitical concerns, investors have become increasingly cautious and borrowers increasingly concerned, according to a new Mergermarket report. But there are also indications that some underlying changes are taking place in the PE pipeline. This week's CDT Roundup has more on the Mergermarket survey, as well as the usual roster of lawyers who reported deals last week.
You may remember traditional IPOs — those initial public offerings popular before the market eruption of SPACs. Are they making a comeback? Maybe. A $2 billion IPO announced this week by BKV Corp. may hold a clue to the future. But in any case, BKV's recent acquisition tear makes it worth watching. The CDT Roundup has more on that BKV deal, as well as the names of Texas lawyers who announced deals during a holiday-shortened week.
The Texas lawyers at 12 corporate law firms were involved as lead counsel in 20 or more M&A deals during the first nine months of 2022. Four firms were lead legal advisors in more than 60 deals. One firm saw its attorneys in Austin, Dallas and Houston hit triple digits in deal count for lead legal advisors during the first three quarters of 2022.
The Texas Lawbook has released its exclusive Corporate Deal Tracker M&A law firm rankings for Jan. 1 through Sept. 30. The mission is to document transactional work done by lawyers in the Lone Star state.
© Copyright 2026 The Texas Lawbook
The content on this website is protected under federal Copyright laws. Any use without the consent of The Texas Lawbook is prohibited.
