What Is M&A Practice? What Do Deal Lawyers Do?

Erin L. Stafford participates in the roundtable discussion, What Is M&A Practice? What Do Deal Lawyers Do?, during the 2026 ABA International Law Section Mergers & Acquisitions Masterclass. The session provides an overview of M&A practice and the responsibilities of deal lawyers, including their roles in mergers, acquisitions, valuations, divestitures, joint ventures, and private equity transactions. 

The three-day virtual masterclass provides junior attorneys with practical skills training designed to build a strong foundation in dealmaking and accelerate their development as transactional lawyers. The program examines the M&A lifecycle through practitioner-led discussions, case analyses, and interactive exercises.