AI disrupts workflows for European deal lawyers without eroding largest firms’ edge in short term 

AI is significantly transforming the practices of corporate lawyers across Europe. However, leading international law firms are expected to maintain their competitive edge in the near future.

Étienne Chantrel, Partner at Eight Advisory and former head of the mergers unit at the French Competition Authority, notes that regulatory pressure is intensifying, and the M&A landscape is becoming increasingly complex. He emphasizes the urgent need to modernize processes to help market players address emerging challenges, particularly in the technology and defense sectors. 

As Etienne Chantrel explains: 

“Both regulators and merger parties have a pressing need to free up more time to tackle novel misconducts when it comes to tech regulation and foreign investment control, for instance. Simplifying and automating procedures for straightforward deals should be prioritised, while regulators receive greater resources to focus on more complex cases.”

Etienne Chantrel also points out that the ongoing review of the European Commission’s merger guidelines aims to adapt the regulatory framework to new market realities and security concerns, as investor interest in assets with military applications will increase. 

He also points out that the ongoing revision of the European Commission’s merger guidelines aims to align the regulatory framework with new market realities and security concerns.

Read the full version of this article by Arezki Yaiche published on the Mergermarket website on 17July 2025.