We will always have Paris – takeaways from the IBA M&A Conference February 2026

Manuel Santos Vitor
Abreu & Associados, Lisbon
manuel.s.vitor@abreuadvogados.com

For mergers and acquisitions (M&A) lawyers the early February meeting in Paris is usually the first opportunity of the year to come together, reconnect and exchange ideas with their peers following the new year break (if any) and after a period of slower activity in January (sometimes).

The conference was, as usual, well organised and prepared; the team responsible for it deserves recognition for very solid preparation work.

In addition to the couple of hundred lawyers who attended the conference, there were even more M&A lawyers going to Paris for networking. This conference triggers several parallel networking events gathering lawyers and others attending the conference, and are organised by the home turf and other law firms, legal networks and global powerhouse firms.

They are not to be missed when you attend the conference.

During the conference, most panels had a familiar mix of participants: a majority of European M&A lawyers, jointly with other key stakeholders in the M&A process such as  advisors, banks and financial institutions, as well as private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) representatives, reflecting the views of those investing in the deal activity.

The conference addressed the status of the M&A market and emerging trends such as the increasing impact of AI and warranty and indemnity (W&I) insurance.

It is noteworthy mentioning the comparative analysis between the European and North American markets together with the speculation that some investment may shift from North America to Europe. Panellists noted that the speed, scale and volume of deals occurring in countries like the US and Canada continue to set them apart on the global stage. There was a consensus that the pragmatic approach of their governments and regulators had a decisive role in enabling transactions.

The overall mood was optimistic, more so than at the same event last year and much more than at the traditional New York IBA mid-year conference held in June 2025. The overall balance was that 2025 – especially the second semester – had been OK, much better than initially anticipated, and that 2026 had started strongly, with no new challenges and existing issues seemingly absorbed or accommodated by the market. Currently, the market is dealing better with volatility than it was years ago.

The view at the conference was that stronger collaboration and a more pragmatic approach within the European Union is needed to take advantage of existing opportunities and foster new ones, particularly in sectors that are now more significant in an era of heightened security concerns.

Additionally, a more market-oriented regulatory approach is necessary so that continental Europe may attract global investors and maintain its competitiveness in the evolving global landscape.

It was observed that the EU, and especially the European Commission, had been compelled to significantly postpone or delay the implementation of ESG and other sustainability agendas because of their impact on the competitiveness of European industries. It is likely we will not hear a lot about such topics in the short-medium term.

At the conference and networking events, lawyers shared ‘war stories’ of recent experiences and market developments. They also highlighted opportunities in key areas such as infrastructure, industrial sectors, defence and dual-use industries.

The conference further emphasised the critical role of PE and VC investment in the European market. These investors remain highly active, continuing to drive transaction volume in both established and emerging sectors. So, be sure to reach out to your PE and VC clients!

In conclusion, we will always have Paris for many good reasons, including the IBA M&A conference. I expect to be back next year for the next conference, hopefully with the sentiment that 2026 went well and that there is more to come. It would be fantastic to toast to it with the many familiar faces and new ones from the IBA. With French wine of course.