SkyLaw Summer Update 2026
In this update, we discuss hot topics in the legal industry, share key insights, highlight our recent travels, and celebrate our 15th anniversary!
2026 has been an incredible year so far. In this update, we discuss the enormous impact of AI on M&A and law firms, note key legal insights from the International Bar Association's M&A Conference and our recent blogs, highlight some of our travels across Canada, the U.S. and Australia, and celebrate our 15-year anniversary. We have also included a section “When to Call Us” as we would love to hear from you!
Back in October 2010, SkyLaw was formed as a cutting-edge law firm using Apple computers and cloud computing (the “Sky” in “SkyLaw”).
Today, it is AI that is changing everything. The exponential improvements and the adoption rate of AI over the past year have been incredible. It is one of the most significant topics of conversation when meeting other firms (and we’ve been meeting a lot of them as we discuss below).
We wrote about AI in our annual Chambers article on M&A in Canada, which you can find here. AI is a key driver of M&A activity, and we have found it particularly engaging to work with AI companies. AI is also a tool that is changing how deals are sourced and how parties get connected for transactions, including how potential clients are finding us. Importantly for practitioners, AI is dramatically impacting the way in which deals are conducted from diligence through negotiation and closing.
Clients now increasingly expect their advisers to be using AI, and most clients are using AI themselves to improve efficiency, keep costs down and obtain second opinions.
We are very optimistic that AI will spur even more deal-making. At the IBA M&A conference, Kevin was interviewed for an article by The Global Legal Post about the M&A market’s outlook, and shared his optimism by saying, "Whenever there is any kind of technology disruption in the marketplace, there are opportunities. It will create winners and losers because every business must figure out what it will do with AI and technology. Ultimately, that will lead to more transactions."
We are finding that AI increases productivity, shortens timelines and dramatically improves quality across the board. At the same time, we are finding that AI can result in significant overlawyering, requiring more time to resolve an expanded list of issues than might otherwise have been the case. The need for judgment and experience has never been greater.
Kevin, Priya and Esta enjoyed spending the first week of June sprinting across New York for a series of exciting events! Their trip featured a number of standout receptions and gatherings around the city featuring everything from the delightful views (and famous Magnolia banana pudding) at the Rockefeller Center rooftop, to an elegant evening at the Pierre Hotel, and a lakeside gathering at the Boathouse in Central Park.
The main event was the annual International Bar Association Mergers & Acquisitions conference. As it was SkyLaw’s first time attending the IBA M&A Conference, Kevin and Priya were a little too keen and were the first ones to arrive at 7:15 am sharp! But they had no complaints about spending a little extra time exploring the stunningly ornate Plaza Hotel (famously featured in Home Alone 2, The Great Gatsby, and Eloise at the Plaza).
The conference featured a broad range of perspectives on the market, including investment banker Eduardo Mestre's insider view of the financial, economic and business factors impacting the M&A market, as well as discussions on developments in private equity dealmaking, shareholder activism, dispute resolution, geopolitics in the M&A context, and of course, the hot topic throughout the conference, the role of AI in shaping the future of law firms and M&A.
Proudly wearing Canadian flag pins on their lapels, the SkyLaw team connected with lawyers from across the global M&A community. We tallied up the numbers: we met with firms from 45 countries. Below is a map highlighting the countries representing the firms we met throughout the trip:
The SkyLaw team capped off the week with the Sullivan & Cromwell breakfast at the exclusive Coco’s at Colette, a fantastic celebration at Refinery Rooftop, and they also managed to get a glimpse of the Roaring Twenties at the Broadway production of The Great Gatsby!
As always, the real value lies in the follow-ups. The team has received many thoughtful invitations from new international contacts and looks forward to continuing those conversations and planning trips in the months ahead.
When we meet with law firms around the world, we tell them, “Any time you need anything in Canada, give us a call.” In addition to the experience and expertise which SkyLaw can bring to the table, we can also be the primary point of contact for any other practice requirements. We collaborate frequently with other law firms and can ensure that our clients are assisted by the right people at the best law firms.
Call us when you or your clients need assistance with the following:
SkyLaw was invited by Sullivan & Cromwell to be the exclusive authors of the Canadian chapter of the first Global M&A Law Guide 2026 published by the Global Legal Post, which you can read here.
The team participated in a captivating roundtable discussion at their New York office during the book launch, covering key themes shaping the market, including AI, the evolving geopolitical landscape, and the global M&A outlook.
The roundtable was hosted by Sullivan & Cromwell partner and guide editor Frank Aquila and co-host Jeremy Kutner, a partner in the Sullivan & Cromwell London office. Contributing authors from 29 countries spanning Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and North America were in the room. Kevin spoke about his optimism for AI, some of the regulatory considerations in Canada and the impact AI is having on deal-making.
Kevin was thrilled to return to his former office at Sullivan & Cromwell, and to give Priya a behind-the-scenes tour of his old stomping grounds down the street from the New York Stock Exchange. It was a true full-circle moment, as Frank Aquila was the partner who gave Kevin his offer to join Sullivan & Cromwell back in the summer of 1998!
The past few months have seen a remarkable amount of travel. The team has been travelling across Canada, including trips to Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa. Kevin travelled to Regina to provide independent legal advice to a Band Council. Andrea travelled to L.A. and Priya travelled to San Francisco to meet with contacts in California. They introduced themselves to great firms identified by Copilot as being similar boutique law firms focused on cross-border M&A. Kevin and Esta made two trips to New York, one with Bernice to meet with clients, and the other with Priya for the IBA M&A conference.
Kevin travelled to Australia for the 25th anniversary of the Sullivan & Cromwell Sydney office in May. The event was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney across from the Opera House during the Vivid light festival. Kevin was pleased to visit contacts in both Melbourne and Sydney, and to make new connections during a stopover in Seoul.
Kevin worked at Sullivan & Cromwell in the early days from 2002 – 2005, and it was this experience of working on major cross-border transactions while also being involved in running a law firm that inspired him to start SkyLaw. He started at the New York office with over 500 lawyers and then was in the Sydney office with Wally Jones where together they did business development, engagement letters, invoicing, hiring staff – all while doing big deals across different time zones (one time, staying up for two consecutive all-nighters). Kevin is grateful for the experience and the continued relationship with Sullivan & Cromwell.
Our recent blogs take a closer look at a number of issues we are seeing come up frequently in our work with founders, investors and companies at different stages of growth. From navigating key ownership thresholds and choosing the right financing instrument, to dealing with governance, information rights and some of the risks that can surface over time, these pieces are intended to offer practical, experience-based guidance on the points that tend to matter most in real transactions and corporate decision-making. Our recent insights include:
SkyLaw turned 15 in October 2025, and we've been celebrating ever since! It’s a milestone that fills us with pride and plenty of gratitude. We are pleased to share our new webpage, Our Story, which details the many chapters of SkyLaw's story – with the best chapters still ahead!
"I really feel like I am living in one of the best TV legal dramas there could be.”
- Kevin West at SkyLaw's 15th Anniversary Celebration
The above is just a slice of Kevin’s remarks at the celebration of SkyLaw’s 15th anniversary held earlier this year at Ultra in the Weston Centre (the same building as our new office). We enjoyed great company, exceptional conversations and delicious food and drinks. It meant a lot to pause and reflect on this milestone with the people who have been part of our journey over the years – clients, colleagues, friends and partners who make what we do so rewarding.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. Cheers to many more great years ahead!
Summer officially arrived on June 21, bringing with it longer days, brighter skies, and a renewed sense of energy. It’s a season that invites us to step outside, recharge, and make the most of the months ahead. We hope everyone has a chance to soak it all in! ☀️
Peak soccer season began on June 11 with the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup. The SkyLaw team has been proudly cheering on the Canadian team Les Rouges and bringing together colleagues and friends for lively watch parties in our boardroom. For the first time in history, the Canadian men’s national soccer team has qualified for the World Cup knockout stage and will play South Africa in Los Angeles this weekend. It’s a high-stakes game where the loser is eliminated from the World Cup. We will be watching on the edge of our seats. ⚽️ 🇨🇦
From sunny days to spirited matches, it’s truly a time to celebrate the energy and connection that define this season.
© SkyLaw 2026. All rights reserved.
SkyLaw's blog does not contain legal or financial advice. It is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional advice from a lawyer. SkyLaw's blog posts are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without permission. If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact us. A member of our team would be delighted to speak with you.
