As businesses face increasing legal and regulatory complexities, general counsels play a critical role in shaping corporate strategy, mitigating risk, and driving innovation. This roundtable brings together leading legal minds to discuss key trends and challenges shaping today’s corporate landscape.

General counsel are invited to the event and do only have to organise and pay for their travel arrangements. Chatham House rules apply for the meeting.

Topics

1. M&A Power Shift: A Buyer’s Market with Savvy Sellers Fighting Back
   With deal terms increasingly favoring buyers—through price adjustments, earn-outs, and extended liability periods—are sellers losing leverage? Not quite. This session unpacks how sellers are leveraging W&I insurance, strategic structuring, and risk allocation to level the playing field, based on insights from the CMS European M&A Study. Led by Louise Wallace (CMS UK) and Malte Bruhns (CMS Germany)
2. Deal Disputes & ESG Litigation: The New Battlefield in M&A
   Post-acquisition disputes and ESG-related claims are on the rise, reshaping corporate risk. From breach of warranties and earn-out conflicts to greenwashing allegations and regulatory enforcement, this session explores how companies can anticipate, manage, and resolve disputes while safeguarding their reputation and financial interests. Led by Maurits Rabbie (CMS Netherlands) and David Bridge (CMS UK)
3. Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD): Compliance & Strategic Impact in the Age of Omnibus
   With CSRD implementation and the Omnibus Directive reshaping disclosure obligations, this session will examine practical steps for compliance, the strategic implications for corporate governance, and the evolving expectations of investors and regulators. Led by Kristy Duane (CMS UK) and Irene Miró (CMS Spain)
   
4. General Counsels & AI: Navigating Risk, Compliance, and Legal Transformation
   As AI continues to reshape industries as well as business and legal functions, General Counsels are at the forefront of managing new risks—including liability, hallucinations, algorithmic discrimination, and IP challenges—while ensuring responsible and compliant deployment. This session will delve into AI governance frameworks, risk mitigation strategies, and how in-house legal teams can drive responsible and innovative AI adoption.It will also examine how AI is changing the dynamic between in-house counsel and law firms, with both sides increasingly adopting AI tools for tasks like contract review, due diligence, and litigation support. Join Martina Gavalec (CMS Slovakia) and Elliot Cowan (CMS UK) for a practical discussion on how GCs can adapt, collaborate, and thrive in the AI-driven legal landscape with the support of AI and private practice. Led by Martina Gavalec (CMS Slovakia) and Elliott Cowan (CMS UK)