Getting into the details to make a deal work

Linkedin Post

A big part of my role as a corporate lawyer has been listening to clients explain the commercial terms they want in their deals.

The next step is asking the right questions that make those terms work in the real world.

Sometimes the parties have a general idea of the commercial terms they want but have not thought through the details required to put them into action. My job is to walk through those terms with clients to ensure the terms are clear, workable in practice, and compliant with the law.

It’s especially rewarding when clients start to anticipate these discussions. It’s gratifying when a client responds with, “I knew you were going to ask that!” and then provides the detail needed. That shared way of thinking keeps momentum going and helps get the deal across the line.

Over time, my work has naturally shifted towards M&A advisory, corporate governance, and helping clients navigate directors’ duties and shareholders’ rights where law and business intersect. It’s a space that requires deep understanding of law and the clients’ needs, and it’s where I’ve found the work to be more sustainable and meaningful.

This post was first posted on LinkedIn on 18 June 2025.

Lawyering
The Kindness That Stays, 20 Years On

I last saw them in 2007. They are two kind souls who made my years studying in the UK such a beautiful chapter in my life. I have been thinking about them lately and finally reached out after all these years. Whenever I look back on my time in the …

Linkedin Post
Why M&A Deals Fail

As an M&A lawyer, most of my time goes into the legal documents – drafting and negotiating agreements, representations, warranties, conditions precedent, etc. However, the deals I have seen delayed or aborted were not because of legal documents. A deal was aborted when geopolitical tension escalated while parties were going …

Linkedin Post
When a Seller is Paid in Shares, Instead of Cash

In an M&A transaction, a buyer which is also a company may offer to pay by issuing its own shares to the seller, instead of paying in cash. How is this different compared to a cash deal? The seller is not just selling. The seller is also “buying” into the …