Corporate M&A teams are operating in transaction environments that require faster coordination, stronger execution discipline, and earlier alignment across diligence, integration, legal, finance, and operational workstreams.

The M&A Conference Chicago examines how experienced acquirers are refining transaction processes, improving execution readiness, and strengthening operational alignment across the transaction lifecycle.

Applied perspectives are shared by corporate development leaders, in-house legal counsel, integration leaders, and operating executives actively involved in acquisitions, divestitures, and integration initiatives.

Credits: 9 CLE / 11 CPE. The Institute is accredited in Illinois. Reciprocity may be available.

Generously underwritten by SS&C Intralinks

William Jefferson Black, Executive Director, Transaction Advisors Institute

• How are leading acquirors designing an M&A strategy that works in volatile market conditions? 
• What should M&A teams consider as they navigate pressure for scale and corporate clarity?
• What unique approaches are being used to drive internal alignment and accelerate dealmaking?

• What are the most effective approaches for negotiating establishing agreements and preliminary financial terms?
• How detailed should an IOI/LOI be to ensure the best outcomes? 
• What methods can be employed to re-visit core financial terms and other material deal points?

• How can diligence be accelerated through an optimal use of AI, external advisors, and data sampling?
• What IP diligence practices - such as code reviews and information security scans - should be standard?
• How much integration planning is appropriate ahead of deal approval?

• How are recent HSR requirements reshaping the corporate M&A process?
• What is the current best practice for engaging with antitrust agencies?
• Which jurisdictions are significantly increasing their review processes?

• How can the balance of warranties, indemnities and other risk allocation mechanisms be optimized?
• What is the current market standard for closing conditions?
• How are break fees and other dispute resolution provisions changing?

• Who should be engaged when developing a cultural integration framework?
• How do you determine the pace of change an organization can endure?
• What adjustments are made in integration planning based on cultural due diligence findings?

• How are interim operating covenants being structured to flex for slow close transactions?
• How are corporate M&A teams avoiding gun jumping while actively planning for rapid post-close actions?
• How should corporate M&A teams oversee working capital mechanisms and other closing adjustments to prevent gaming? 

• How can AI workflows accelerate target reviews and drafting?
• Which negotiation points and process steps can be standardized to remove execution bottlenecks?
• Can pre-authorized decision rights accelerate approvals, while maintaining public-grade governance?

• When should the integration thesis and playbook be designed and confirmed?
• How can go-to-market teams effectuate and accelerate tough revenue synergies and establish stretch targets?
• What early cost synergy-capture opportunities should be prioritized to deliver quick wins and head-off value leakage?
• How are the most effective M&A teams tracking synergy delivery and working with institutional investors to level-set expectations?

• What are the key planning, readiness, and organizational design questions that need to be tackled early?
• How are the most effective organizations managing through the sale process?
• What are the material TSAs and post-close considerations that need to be calibrated?

• How can agentic and gen AI reshape end-to-end M&A value creation and processes? 
• Where are the opportunities to leverage AI to refine the deal theses and post-close value creation? 
• Are there new applications for strategic planning, target screening, growth assessments, and integration design? 
• How can M&A accelerate adoption of AI into business operations to drive long-term structural advantage?