Akerman Investment Funds Practice Chair Christopher Mendez was quoted in Law360’s article “AI Boom Lifts Q1 M&A Values, As Attys Eye Wider Rebound,” discussing the market pressures continuing to weigh on private equity dealmaking, including financing constraints, valuation mismatches, and broader market uncertainty.
The article examines how AI-driven megadeals helped lift global M&A value in the first quarter even as overall transaction volume and sponsor-backed activity remained subdued. Christopher noted that the muted private equity data reflects converging headwinds rather than poor assets. He said, “Buyers are underwriting for today’s risk and today’s rates, and sellers are still anchored in 2020–2021 expectations.” He added, “Between interest rates, broader market uncertainty and now commodity price volatility, processes have slowed — it’s not because the assets are bad.”
Christopher’s commentary reflects the strength of Akerman’s M&A and Private Equity Practice Group, which is recognized by The Legal 500 as a national top-tier firm for M&A and by PitchBook among the most active law firms in the industry.