Corporate INTL: global business, legal and finance intelligence
Merger vs Acquisition vs Takeover: 7 Deal Structures, Tax and How to Choose
Merger vs acquisition vs takeover: a merger fuses two companies by law, an acquisition buys shares or assets, and a takeover is an offer to a company's shareholders. We compare seven structures across the UK, US and EU, from Delaware s251 and triangular mergers to UK schemes, with tax, TUPE, approvals and 2026 deal examples.
A directory built on 20 years of recommendations
Search by country, specialism and practice area to find a proven, recommended expert. Drawn from the same research that informs our annual awards.
A selection of member firms
Albrecht Langhart
Blum&Grob Attorneys at Law Ltd, SwitzerlandCorporate“Businesses, and the people who own and run them, are a major pillar of the economy, and an extremely important part of o…”
Profile
Christian Toms
Brown Rudnick LLP, United KingdomDispute Resolution“Brown Rudnick is highly experienced and effective in handling large, complex disputes, often cross-border, including in…”
Profile
Aaron Yu
Zhong Lun Law Firm, ChinaDispute Resolution“Aaron Yu is a non-equity partner of Zhong Lun, one of the largest full-service firm in China. His practice focuses on co…”
Profile
Albert Togut
Togut, Segal & Segal LLP, USABankruptcy“A highly respected “dean” of the bankruptcy bar and one of the most accomplished restructuring attorneys of our time, Al…”
Profile
Andrew Bates
Dillion Eustace, Republic of IrelandInsurance & Business“Dillon Eustace is one of Ireland’s leading law firms focusing on financial services, banking and capital markets, corpor…”
Profile
Austin Demajo
Grant Thornton Malta, MaltaTax“Founded in 1975, the Malta firm became a Grant Thornton member firm in 1991. We have been building our momentum for over…”
Profile
Bahram N. Vakil
AZB & Partners, IndiaEnergy, Environment & Resources“Bahram N Vakil: Co-Founding and Senior Partner One of the founding partners of AZB & Partners, Bahram N. Vakil is amongs…”
Profile
Fahad AlDehais AlMalki
SuhailPartners LLP, Saudi ArabiaCapital Markets“Fahad AlDehais AlMalki is the Managing and Founding Partner of SuhailPartners LLP. Fahad is a Chambers and Partners Capi…”
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Across the profession, today
AkzoNobel Axalta Merger: EU Clears $25bn Deal on Refinish Sale
The European Commission has cleared the $25 billion AkzoNobel and Axalta merger on condition that AkzoNobel sells its European vehicle refinish business to an approved buyer. We explain the competition concerns, the upfront buyer remedy, the deal terms and the pending UK and US reviews.
Administration vs Liquidation: Control, Directors, Staff, Creditors and Which Suits Your Company
Goldman Sachs Supreme Court Case: Can Bankruptcy Courts Refuse Arbitration?
Sole Trader vs Limited Company: Tax at £30k, £50k and £100k and Which Suits You
How to Apply for Spain Digital Nomad Visa: Steps, Income, Fees and Tax for 2026
Business Partner Stealing Money: UK Steps, Claims and Remedies
Business partner stealing money? In England and Wales a co-director can inspect the books, remove a director with 28 days' special notice, seek a freezing injunction, petition for unfair prejudice and report fraud to Report Fraud. Here are the steps, the costs and the tax traps.
Albertsons Opioid Lawsuit: Washington Judge Orders $900 Million
2027 - 20th edition. Our Winners will be announced publicly in February 2027.
Corporate INTL's annual awards mark excellence for the world's leading lawyers, advisers and financiers globally. Running since 2008, they are independently judged to ensure the very best lawyers, advisers and financiers are chosen for each category.
Featured advisers
“Darren is an international award winning, commercial disputes lawyer. He has 21 years of experience providing advice and representation in significant and high profile commercial disputes, Royal commissions and inquiries across a wide…”
“Hendrik Viaene focuses his practice on competition law, regulated markets and regulatory law. He advises clients across a wide range of related issues including state aid, cartels, licensing agreements, merger filings, M&A negotiations,…”
“Ji Pyoung Kim is an attorney at Kim & Chang’s Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Corporate Governance, Banking, Securities, Insolvency & Restructuring and Capital Markets Practices. Mr Kim’s primary areas of focus include corporate…”
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