Featured Stories
Ropes & Gray Advised Silgan MCC on $5.88 Billion Financing for Acquisition of Trivium Packaging
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Oct. 20 -- Ropes and Gray, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Ropes & Gray Advised Silgan MCC on $5.88 Billion Financing for Acquisition of Trivium Packaging
October 19, 2026
Ropes & Gray served as financing counsel to Silgan Metal Containers and Closures (Silgan MCC), a joint venture formed by American Industrial Partners (AIP) and Silgan Holdings Inc., in connection with $5.88 billion of financing for its acquisition of Trivium Packaging B.V.
The deal was announced on October 19.
The transaction will combine Silgan's Metal Containers segment and Food and
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Oct. 20 -- Ropes and Gray, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Ropes & Gray Advised Silgan MCC on $5.88 Billion Financing for Acquisition of Trivium Packaging
October 19, 2026
Ropes & Gray served as financing counsel to Silgan Metal Containers and Closures (Silgan MCC), a joint venture formed by American Industrial Partners (AIP) and Silgan Holdings Inc., in connection with $5.88 billion of financing for its acquisition of Trivium Packaging B.V.
The deal was announced on October 19.
The transaction will combine Silgan's Metal Containers segment and Food andBeverage Flat Cap Closures businesses with Trivium.
It will create a global supplier of metal packaging for essential consumer products, with complementary operations principally in North America and Europe.
The Ropes & Gray team was led by finance partners Stefanie Birkmann, Dan Coyne and Jeff Lang.
* * *
URL: Silgan MCC
* * *
Original text here: https://www.ropesgray.com/en/news-and-events/news/2026/10/ropes-gray-advised-silgan-mcc-on-financing-for-acquisition-of-trivium-packaging
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Jackson Walker Congratulates 10 Attorneys Named to 2027 'Lawdragon 500 Leading Dealmakers in America' List
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 20 -- Jackson Walker, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Jackson Walker Congratulates 10 Attorneys Named to 2027 'Lawdragon 500 Leading Dealmakers in America' List
October 19, 2026
Jackson Walker announces the selection of 10 attorneys to Lawdragon's list of the "500 Leading Dealmakers in America," featuring U.S. attorneys who have at least 15 years of experience working on significant transactions.
Congratulations to the following Corporate & Securities, Energy, and Finance & Banking attorneys named to this list:
* Stephanie Chandler (San Antonio) - Corporate
... Show Full Article
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 20 -- Jackson Walker, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Jackson Walker Congratulates 10 Attorneys Named to 2027 'Lawdragon 500 Leading Dealmakers in America' List
October 19, 2026
Jackson Walker announces the selection of 10 attorneys to Lawdragon's list of the "500 Leading Dealmakers in America," featuring U.S. attorneys who have at least 15 years of experience working on significant transactions.
Congratulations to the following Corporate & Securities, Energy, and Finance & Banking attorneys named to this list:
* Stephanie Chandler (San Antonio) - Corporate& Securities
* Sarah Christian (Austin) - Finance & Banking
* Alden Crow (Dallas) - Corporate & Securities
* Joe Flack (Houston) - Energy
* Larry Glasgow (Dallas) - Corporate & Securities
* Brian Lidji (Dallas) - Corporate & Securities
* Jesse S. Lotay (Houston) - Energy
* Evan Malloy (Fort Worth) - Corporate & Securities
* Michael Meskill (Austin) - Corporate & Securities
* Carlos Trevino (Austin) - Corporate & Securities
Launched in 2005, Lawdragon is a legal media company that features news, editorial features, and a variety of guides to the nation's top legal professionals who lead in a particular practice area or industry and who have handled significant matters within the past year.
* * *
About Jackson Walker
Since 1887, Jackson Walker has represented some of the most influential companies and business leaders in the world. Today, we remain firmly rooted in Texas while serving clients around the globe. With more than 500 attorneys, we are the largest Texas-based law firm. Jackson Walker consistently ranks among leading firms in Chambers and Partners, Best Law Firms(R) by Best Lawyers, and as a BTI Client Service A-Team based on feedback from corporate counsel.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.jw.com/news/lawdragon-dealmakers-2027/
[Category: BiLaw/Legal]
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Welcomes Leveraged Finance and Restructuring Partner Rachel Jones to the Firm
NEW YORK, Oct. 20 -- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer welcomes Leveraged Finance and Restructuring partner Rachel Jones to the firm
19 Oct 2026
Leading global law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) welcomes Rachel Jones to its Finance & Restructuring practice in Sydney, Australia.
Rachel joins HSF Kramer from Squire Patton Boggs, where she is a market-leading leveraged and debt finance partner with over 20 years of experience advising on complex financing transactions and restructuring scenarios
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Oct. 20 -- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer welcomes Leveraged Finance and Restructuring partner Rachel Jones to the firm
19 Oct 2026
Leading global law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) welcomes Rachel Jones to its Finance & Restructuring practice in Sydney, Australia.
Rachel joins HSF Kramer from Squire Patton Boggs, where she is a market-leading leveraged and debt finance partner with over 20 years of experience advising on complex financing transactions and restructuring scenariosacross Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
Rachel's experience advising large domestic and international sponsors, banks, and financial institutions on complex transactions will enhance the firm's growing capital solutions offering, which brings together finance, private capital, corporate, and restructuring expertise to help clients across the capital lifecycle.
Jinny Chaimungkalanont, managing partner, Finance & Restructuring, Asia Australia, said Rachel's appointment strengthens the Finance and Restructuring practice at a pivotal time in the market.
"We are delighted to welcome Rachel to the partnership. Her arrival is an important step in advancing our private capital strategy and strengthening our capital solutions and restructuring offering to clients. Her deep expertise across leveraged finance, private credit and restructuring enhances our ability to deliver integrated solutions to clients and positions us to capture growth opportunities across the region's evolving markets."
Matthew FitzGerald, managing partner, Corporate, Asia Australia, added that the expansion of the firm's capital solutions capability comes at a time when private capital sponsors are increasingly looking for sophisticated financing solutions.
"The market is evolving rapidly, and sponsors are seeking advisers who can navigate complex capital structures," he said.
Rachel said she looks forward to joining the HSF Kramer partnership to expand its support for clients across the lifecycle of financing transactions.
"Joining HSF Kramer's market-leading finance and restructuring practice offers an unmatched global and domestic platform that aligns perfectly with the complex needs of my clients. As corporate balance sheets face unprecedented macroeconomic shifts and sponsors and corporate borrowers require a seamless, multi-jurisdictional approach to capital raising and proactive liability management, I am looking forward to collaborating with HSF Kramer's exceptional private capital and restructuring teams to deliver elite client-focussed solutions for my clients."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.hsfkramer.com/news/2026-10/hsf-kramer-welcomes-leveraged-finance-restructuring-partner-rachel-jones
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Dean Mead Tax Attorney Stephen R. Looney Presents at ABA Tax Section Fall Meeting
ORLANDO, Florida, Oct. 20 -- Dean Mead, a law firm, issued the following news release:
* * *
Dean Mead Tax Attorney Stephen R. Looney Presents at ABA Tax Section Fall Meeting
October 19, 2026
(Orlando, FL) Dean Mead Tax attorney Stephen R. Looney presented at the American Bar Association (ABA) Tax Section Fall Meeting as part of a panel discussion examining the standards used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and courts to determine reasonable compensation paid to employees and owner-employees of S corporations and C corporations.
Titled "What Amount is Considered Reasonable," the presentation
... Show Full Article
ORLANDO, Florida, Oct. 20 -- Dean Mead, a law firm, issued the following news release:
* * *
Dean Mead Tax Attorney Stephen R. Looney Presents at ABA Tax Section Fall Meeting
October 19, 2026
(Orlando, FL) Dean Mead Tax attorney Stephen R. Looney presented at the American Bar Association (ABA) Tax Section Fall Meeting as part of a panel discussion examining the standards used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and courts to determine reasonable compensation paid to employees and owner-employees of S corporations and C corporations.
Titled "What Amount is Considered Reasonable," the presentationaddressed the tax implications of reasonable compensation, exploring why reasonable compensation is a significant issue for businesses and the tests used by the IRS and courts to evaluate compensation arrangements.
Per Steve, the issue arises for S corporations when shareholder-employees seek to minimize employment taxes, as well as for C corporations seeking tax deductions for salaries paid to owners who provide services to the business.
Steve joined fellow panelists Laura Al-Shathir of Capes, Sokol, Goodman & Sarachan PC, Ronald Levitt of Dentons US LLP, and Timothy Wagner of Womble Bond Dickinson LLP for the discussion.
* * *
About the ABA Tax Section: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/taxation/about/
* * *
Original text here: https://www.deanmead.com/dean-mead-tax-attorney-stephen-r-looney-presents-at-aba-tax-section-fall-meeting/
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Cooley Advised Silence Therapeutics on Agreement to Be Acquired By Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany for $1.3 Billion
PALO ALTO, California, Oct. 20 -- Cooley, a law firm, issued the following news release:
* * *
Cooley Advised Silence Therapeutics on Agreement to Be Acquired By Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany for $1.3 Billion
October 19, 2026
Cooley advised London-headquartered, NASDAQ-listed Silence Therapeutics, a global clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision engineered medicines using its proprietary siRNA technology, on its agreement to be acquired by leading science and technology company Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in an all-cash transaction with an equity value of approximately
... Show Full Article
PALO ALTO, California, Oct. 20 -- Cooley, a law firm, issued the following news release:
* * *
Cooley Advised Silence Therapeutics on Agreement to Be Acquired By Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany for $1.3 Billion
October 19, 2026
Cooley advised London-headquartered, NASDAQ-listed Silence Therapeutics, a global clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision engineered medicines using its proprietary siRNA technology, on its agreement to be acquired by leading science and technology company Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in an all-cash transaction with an equity value of approximately$1.3 billion, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Under the terms of the agreement, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, will acquire all outstanding ordinary shares of Silence. Upon completion of the transaction, Silence shareholders will receive $20.00 in cash per American Depositary Share ("ADS"), with each ADS representing three ordinary shares of Silence, a 130% premium to the Silence ADS closing price on Friday, October 16, 2026. The transaction, once completed, will add Divesiran - a potentially best-in-class, phase 3-ready siRNA investigational therapy, in development for phlebotomy-dependent polycythemia vera (PV) - to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany's pipeline.
The transaction was announced publicly in this press release.
William Sorabella, Claire Keast-Butler, Rita Sobral, Russell Anderson, Courtney Thorne, Michael Bergmann, Nicola Squire, Megan Browdie, Caroline Hobson, and Kyle Hess led the team advising Silence Therapeutics.
Eileen Marshall, David Wilson, Chris Lynn, Carly Mitchell, Frances Stocks Allen, Annie Froehlich, Dillon Martinson, Guadalupe Sampedro, Chris Stack, Natasha Leskovsek, Jack Jones, Jennifer Shanley, Jessica Koffel, Philip Whitehead, Mark Jones, Arthur Courroy, Alison Kimball, Denny Xu, Hardy Zhou, Arda Tekin, Anna Caro, Jennifer Ok, Bethan Chalmers, Nicollette Kirby, and Eerik Kukebal provided invaluable support.
Cooley has advised Silence Therapeutics since 2019, including on its direct listing on Nasdaq, multiple follow-on offerings and its strategic pharma collaborations.
* * *
About Cooley LLP
Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters, and high-stakes litigation.
Cooley has nearly 1,400 lawyers across 19 offices in the United States, Asia and Europe, and a total workforce of more than 3,000 people.
* * *
URL: Silence Therapeutics
* * *
Original text here: https://www.cooley.com/news/coverage/2026/2026-10-19-cooley-advised-silence-therapeutics-on-agreement-to-be-acquired-by-merck-kgaa-darmstadt-germany-for-$1-3-billion
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Clark Hill: Trade Petitions Target Georgian and Indian Seamless Carbon and Alloy Steel Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe
BIRMINGHAM, Michigan, Oct. 20 -- Clark Hill, a law firm, issued the following legal update:
* * *
New Trade Petitions Target Georgian and Indian Seamless Carbon and Alloy Steel Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe
October 19, 2026
Authors
Kelsey J. Christensen , R. Kevin Williams , Ashley Gifford , Aristeo Lopez , Onjoly Purification
New Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions
On October 15, 2026, U.S. producers filed antidumping (AD) petitions on seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe ("SSLPP") from Georgia and India as well as a countervailing duty (CVD) petition
... Show Full Article
BIRMINGHAM, Michigan, Oct. 20 -- Clark Hill, a law firm, issued the following legal update:
* * *
New Trade Petitions Target Georgian and Indian Seamless Carbon and Alloy Steel Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe
October 19, 2026
Authors
Kelsey J. Christensen , R. Kevin Williams , Ashley Gifford , Aristeo Lopez , Onjoly Purification
New Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions
On October 15, 2026, U.S. producers filed antidumping (AD) petitions on seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe ("SSLPP") from Georgia and India as well as a countervailing duty (CVD) petitioncovering imports from India, with the Department of Commerce ("Commerce") and the U.S. International Trade Commission ("ITC"). The petitions allege dumping margins of 41.03% to 63.57% for India and 113.87% to 281.24% for Georgia, as well as countervailable subsidies in India above the de minimis level. These figures are allegations; Commerce has not calculated any duty or cash deposit rates. If the investigations proceed and Commerce issues an affirmative preliminary determination, U.S. importers could face cash deposit requirements on covered entries as early as January 2027 for CVD and March 2027 for AD. These dates are preliminary and may change.
The subject merchandise--seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe from Georgia and India--is used to transport liquids and gases in a wide range of industrial applications. Pressure pipe is commonly used in refineries, petrochemical and chemical plants, power generation facilities, and oil and gas distribution systems, while standard pipe is used in plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and fire protection systems. Seamless line pipe is used to transport oil, natural gas, and other fluids through pipeline networks. The petitions allege that imports from Georgia and India have increased significantly, gaining U.S. market share and underselling domestically produced SSLPP, causing material injury and threatening further injury to the U.S. industry.
The domestic industry has previously filed AD and/or CVD petitions covering imports of SSLPP from numerous countries, and AD and/or CVD orders currently remain in place on imports from China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Korea, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine.
Importers, retailers, distributors, and their Georgian and Indian suppliers should promptly compare their merchandise and supply chains now with the proposed scope. An affirmative preliminary finding could change landed costs and cash flow while orders and shipments are still in the pipeline. The agencies have not yet determined whether the domestic industry is injured or whether the alleged dumping and subsidies exist.
Proposed Product Scope
The petitions propose the following scope language. Commerce may revise the scope during the investigations:
The merchandise covered by these petitions is seamless carbon and alloy steel (other than stainless steel) pipes and redraw hollows, less than or equal to 16 inches (406.4 mm) in nominal outside diameter, regardless of wall-thickness, manufacturing process (e.g., hot finished or cold-drawn), end finish (e.g., plain end, beveled end, upset end, threaded, or threaded and coupled), or surface finish (e.g., bare, lacquered or coated). Redraw hollows are any unfinished carbon or alloy steel (other than stainless steel) pipe or "hollow profiles" suitable for cold finishing operations, such as cold drawing, to meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or American Petroleum Institute (API) specifications referenced below, or comparable specifications. Specifically included within the scope are seamless carbon and alloy steel (other than stainless steel) standard, line, and pressure pipes produced to the ASTM A-53, ASTM A-106, ASTM A-333, ASTM A-334, ASTM A-589, ASTM A-795, ASTM A-1024, and the API 51 specifications, or comparable specifications, and meeting the physical parameters described above, regardless of application, with the exception of the exclusions discussed below.
Specifically excluded from the scope of the orders are: (1) All pipes meeting aerospace, hydraulic, and bearing tubing specifications, including pipe produced to the ASTM A-822 standard; (2) all pipes meeting the chemical requirements of ASTM A-335, whether finished or unfinished; and (3) unattached couplings. Also excluded from the scope of the orders are (1) all mechanical, boiler, condenser and heat exchange tubing, except when such products conform to the dimensional requirements (i.e., outside diameter and wall thickness, of ASTM A53, ASTM A-106 or API 51 specifications). Also excluded from the scope of the orders are: (1) Oil country tubular goods consisting of drill pipe, casing, tubing and coupling stock; (2) all pipes meeting the chemical requirements of ASTM A-335 regardless of their conformity to the dimensional requirements of ASTM A-53, ASTM A-106 or API 5L; and (3) the exclusion for ASTM A335 applies to pipes meeting the comparable specifications GOST 550-75.
Subject seamless standard, line, and pressure pipe are normally entered under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings 7304.19.1020, 7304.19.1030, 7304.19.1045, 7304.19.1060, 7304.19.5020, 7304.19.5050, 7304.31.6050, 7304.39.0016, 7304.39.0020, 7304.39.0024, 7304.39.0028, 7304.39.0032, 7304.39.0036, 7304.39.0040, 7304.39.0044, 7304.39.0048, 7304.39.0052, 7304.39.0056, 7304.39.0062, 7304.39.0068, 7304.39.0072, 7304.51.5005, 7304.51.5060, 7304.59.6000, 7304.59.8010, 7304.59.8015, 7304.59.8020, 7304.59.8025, 7304.59.8030, 7304.59.8035, 7304.59.8040, 7304.59.8045, 7304.59.8050, 7304.59.8055, 7304.59.8060, 7304.59.8065, and 7304.59.8070. The HTSUS subheadings and specifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope is dispositive.
Alleged Margins and Potentially Affected Companies
The petitions identify certain Georgian and Indian producers and exporters and U.S. importers. Being named does not establish that a company's products are covered; being absent from the lists does not establish that they are excluded. Companies should review their merchandise and supplier relationships against the proposed scope. Clark Hill can provide the lists identified in the petitions.
The petitioners allege the following margins. Commerce will calculate any applicable deposit rates during its investigations:
- India: alleged AD margins of 41.03% to 63.57%; alleged CVD subsidies above de minimis, without a proposed numerical CVD rate.
- Georgia: alleged AD margins of 113.87% to 281.24%.
How the Investigations Proceed
The ITC will first decide whether there is a reasonable indication of material injury or threat of material injury to the U.S. industry. A negative preliminary injury determination would terminate the investigations. If the ITC's finding is affirmative, Commerce will investigate dumping and subsidization and calculate any AD and CVD rates. Final duties require affirmative final determinations from both agencies.
If the investigations continue, Commerce's preliminary CVD and AD determinations are estimated for January 8, 2027, and March 24, 2027, respectively. Following an affirmative preliminary determination, cash deposits generally begin on covered entries as of publication of that determination in the Federal Register. If critical circumstances are found, suspension of liquidation and cash deposit requirements may apply retroactively to entries made up to 90 days before that publication. The dates are estimates and may be extended; the petitioners' alleged margins are not the deposit rates.
What Importers and Georgian and Indian Suppliers Should Do Now
U.S. importers should compare specifications, species, dimensions, and processing history for each product with the proposed scope; identify the manufacturer and exporter; and map open orders and expected entry dates. Review landed cost and cash flow scenarios using possible AD and CVD deposits, without treating the petitioners' estimates as the eventual rates.
Georgian and Indian producers and exporters should preserve product, sales, and production records, identify related companies, and, in the case of India, maintain records relating to subsidy programs to prepare for possible Commerce questionnaires. In an AD investigation for Georgia, timely separate rate applications may be important for exporters seeking a rate distinct from the Georgia-wide rate. The agency's initiation notice and subsequent questionnaires will set actual filing deadlines.
Both sides should review pricing and duty allocation terms in supply contracts and decide promptly whether to present product scope or injury arguments. The indicative schedule below is subject to agency notices and extensions.
Approximate Key Dates/*
Antidumping Duty Investigation
Event ... No. of Days ... Date of Action
Petition Filed ... 0 ... 10/15/2026
DOC Initiation Date ... 20 ... 11/4/2026
DOC Separate Rate Applications ... To be set ... To be announced
DOC Q&V Questionnaires ... To be set ... To be announced
ITC Preliminary Determination ... 45 ... 11/30/2026
DOC Preliminary AD Determination ... 160 ... 3/24/2027
DOC Final AD Determination ... 235 ... 6/7/2027
ITC Final AD Determination ... 280 ... 7/22/2027
DOC AD Publication of Order ... 287 ... 7/29/2027
Countervailing Duty Investigation
Event ... No. of Days ... Date of Action
Petition Filed ... 0 ... 10/15/2026
DOC Initiation Date ... 20 ... 11/4/2026
DOC Q&V Questionnaires ... To be set ... To be announced
ITC Preliminary Determination ... 45 ... 11/30/2026
DOC Preliminary CVD Determination ... 85 ... 1/8/2027
DOC Hearing Request Deadline (if applicable) ... To be set ... To be announced
DOC Final CVD Determination ... 160 ... 3/24/2027
ITC Final CVD Determination ... 205 ... 5/10/2027
DOC CVD Publication of Order ... 212 ... 5/17/2027
*/ All deadlines are approximate and are subject to change throughout the course of an investigation. Deadlines that fall on a weekend or Federal holiday are extended to the next business day, as shown above. Contact Clark Hill for current updates and details.
Subscribe here (https://events.clarkhill.com/newsletter-subscription) to receive future International Trade alerts directly to your inbox.
* * *
This publication is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or a solicitation to provide legal services. The information in this publication is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional legal counsel. The views and opinions expressed herein represent those of the individual author only and are not necessarily the views of Clark Hill PLC. Although we attempt to ensure that postings on our website are complete, accurate, and up to date, we assume no responsibility for their completeness, accuracy, or timeliness.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.clarkhill.com/news-events/news/new-ad-cvd-petitions-steel-pipe-india-georgia/
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
A&O Shearman Partners Join Berlin Global Dialogue Lineup
LONDON, England, Oct. 20 -- A&O Shearman, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
A&O Shearman partners join Berlin Global Dialogue lineup
Oct 19, 2026
A&O Shearman is partnering with the Berlin Global Dialogue (BGD) 2026 for the fourth consecutive year. Two of the firm's partners will join panels under this year's theme "Advancing Alliances for the New Era."
The annual summit brings together business leaders, policymakers, and academics to explore how new forms of cooperation can strengthen global resilience and prosperity amid intensifying geopolitical and economic pressures.
The firm's
... Show Full Article
LONDON, England, Oct. 20 -- A&O Shearman, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
A&O Shearman partners join Berlin Global Dialogue lineup
Oct 19, 2026
A&O Shearman is partnering with the Berlin Global Dialogue (BGD) 2026 for the fourth consecutive year. Two of the firm's partners will join panels under this year's theme "Advancing Alliances for the New Era."
The annual summit brings together business leaders, policymakers, and academics to explore how new forms of cooperation can strengthen global resilience and prosperity amid intensifying geopolitical and economic pressures.
The firm'sreturn reflects our role at the intersection of law, business, and governance--advising clients on the legal and regulatory consequences of a fast-changing geopolitical and economic landscape. The 2026 program will examine the roles of public and private actors in reshaping global markets in a world defined by economic integration, rapid technological development, and growing national security concerns.
Across the two-day summit, A&O Shearman's partners will join political and business leaders from around the world, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
A&O Shearman's delegation will include 11 partners representing its global platform and reflecting the firm's multidisciplinary expertise across finance, technology, energy, and regulatory affairs. Its engagement at BGD 2026 reinforces the firm's role as a trusted advisor helping clients address complex geopolitical and technological change.
* * *
"This year's BGD comes at a pivotal moment for global collaboration. As legal and regulatory frameworks evolve in response to geopolitical shifts, our role is to help our clients and policymakers align to accelerate innovation, strengthen security, and enhance sustainability in ways that improve our collective resilience."
- Herve Ekue, Global Managing Partner
* * *
A&O Shearman's participation in BGD 2026 builds on its longstanding commitment to advancing international dialogue and shaping the legal foundations of global economic cooperation. The firm continues to advise governments, institutions, and corporations on strategies that balance openness, innovation, and strategic autonomy in an increasingly interconnected world.
Two A&O Shearman partners--Herve Ekue, global managing partner; and David Wakeling, global head of the AI group--will take part in the panel discussions below.
October 21, 11:30am-12:30pm
AI at scale: shared prosperity or widening divide?
David Wakeling, partner and global head of the AI group, will contribute to a discussion about the organizational, infrastructure, and regulatory actions needed to accelerate AI adoption and unlock associated growth.
October 22, 09:00-10:00am
From globalization to alignment: a new business--government bargain?
Herve Ekue, global managing partner at A&O Shearman will discuss how geopolitical competition and economic security concerns are reshaping globalization, and what governments and businesses must do to manage shared strategic interests and risks.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.aoshearman.com/en/news/ao-shearman-partners-join-berlin-global-dialogue-lineup
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]