2026 Berkeley Spring Forum on M&A and the Boardroom
The Berkeley Spring Forum on M&A and the Boardroom is an annual conference that brings together corporate leaders, regulators, practitioners, and scholars to discuss the evolving landscape of mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance. Organized by the Berkeley Center for Law and Business in collaboration with Freshfields, the 2026 forum is scheduled for April 23, 2026, at Convene in San Francisco, California.
This year's program will address critical topics such as transatlantic antitrust enforcement, the increasing involvement of state attorneys general in merger reviews, developments in state corporate law, valuation of AI companies, and recent updates from the SEC and Delaware courts. Sessions will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and fireside chats with prominent figures in the field.
Attendees will have opportunities to engage with experts like Cory Doctorow, author of "Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It," and Hans Zenger, Head of Unit at the European Commission's Chief Economist Team. The event will also include networking sessions and discussions on evaluating AI companies, providing valuable insights for professionals involved in M&A and corporate governance.
The forum is designed for corporate executives, legal professionals, regulators, and academics interested in the latest trends and challenges in mergers and acquisitions. Participants can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the forces shaping dealmaking and corporate governance, as well as practical strategies for navigating this complex environment.
Speakers(24)
Adam Badawi
Professor at University of California, Berkeley School of Law
Adam Badawi is a Professor of Law at UC Berkeley, specializing in corporate governance, corporate transactions, and shareholder litigation. He teaches Contracts, Corporations, Mergers and Acquisitions, and related seminars.
Angeli Patel
Executive Director at Berkeley Center for Law and Business
Angeli Patel is the Executive Director of the Berkeley Center for Law and Business, focusing on advancing corporate strategy, governance, and innovation. She advises on AI and sustainability governance and corporate strategy.
Anna Gressel
Global Co-Head of AI Practice at Freshfields
Anna Gressel is a leading legal advisor on artificial intelligence, guiding global businesses through complex matters at the intersection of technology, regulation, and litigation.
Christine Wilson
Head of US Antitrust Practice at Freshfields
Christine Wilson leads Freshfields' US antitrust practice, drawing on 30 years of experience in law, policy, and politics. She served as an FTC Commissioner, shaping policies in antitrust and consumer protection.
Claire Hart
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer at Groq
Claire Hart is COO and CLO at Groq Inc., advising on AI, semiconductors, and global technology strategy. She has extensive experience in legal, business, and operational leadership in high-growth tech platforms.
Cory Doctorow
Author
Cory Doctorow is a science fiction novelist, journalist, and technology activist, known for his critique of M&A and antitrust in the tech sector. He is a special advisor to the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Doug Sharp
Senior Director, Associate General Counsel at Coinbase
Doug Sharp is Senior Director, Associate General Counsel at Coinbase, leading corporate, marketing, and product legal functions. He previously counseled technology companies at Fenwick & West, LLP.
Ellen Rosenblum
Senior Counsel at Freshfields
Ellen Rosenblum is a leading advisor on state attorneys general enforcement, having served as Oregon Attorney General and past president of the National Association of Attorneys General.
Ethan Klingsberg
Co-Head of US Corporate/M&A at Freshfields
Ethan Klingsberg is Co-Head of US Corporate/M&A at Freshfields, focusing on boards of directors, corporate law, M&A, and SEC matters. He has been recognized as a leading lawyer in corporate and M&A law.
Frank Partnoy
Professor at University of California, Berkeley School of Law
Frank Partnoy is the Adrian A. Kragen Professor of Law at UC Berkeley, specializing in corporate law and finance. He has authored several books and numerous scholarly articles on these subjects.
Gwendolyn Lindsay Cooley
Founder and CEO at Taimet
Gwendolyn Lindsay Cooley is the Founder and CEO of Taimet, focusing on analyzing complex mergers using AI. She led state attorneys general in antitrust enforcement and served as Wisconsin's Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust.
Hans Zenger
Head of Unit (Chief Economist Team) at European Commission
Hans Zenger is Head of Unit at the Chief Economist Team of the European Commission's DG Competition, responsible for merger control. He has led economic analysis in numerous phase 2 investigations.
Honorable Karen L. Valihura
Justice at Supreme Court of Delaware
The Honorable Karen L. Valihura serves as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Delaware, having been sworn in July 2014. She previously practiced corporate litigation at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP.
Honorable Lori W. Will
Vice Chancellor at Delaware Court of Chancery
The Honorable Lori W. Will serves as a Vice Chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery, having been sworn in May 2021. She previously practiced corporate law and served as a law clerk to Vice Chancellor Leo E. Strine, Jr.
Jai Ramaswamy
Chief Legal and Policy Officer at Andreessen Horowitz
Jai Ramaswamy oversees legal, compliance, and government affairs at Andreessen Horowitz. He has extensive experience in financial services and served over a decade at the DOJ in various roles.
James J. Moloney
Director of the Division of Corporation Finance at U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
James J. Moloney serves as Director of the Division of Corporation Finance at the SEC, overseeing corporate disclosure and governance matters. He previously practiced law at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher.
Jenn Mellott
Partner at Freshfields
Jenn Mellott is a Partner at Freshfields, advising on US, EU, and international antitrust law issues, including merger control and antitrust compliance. She has extensive experience in complex merger proceedings and cartel investigations.
Jennifer Miller
General Counsel at Superhuman (formerly known as Grammarly)
Jennifer Miller is General Counsel at Superhuman, the AI productivity platform. She led the company through acquisitions and previously served as Chief Legal Officer at Starship Technologies.
John DiTomo
Partner at Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell
John DiTomo is a trial lawyer with two decades of experience representing boards of directors, investors, and Fortune 500 companies in corporate governance and M&A disputes.
Manish Kumar
Partner at Freshfields
Manish Kumar is a partner in Freshfields' antitrust group, with over 15 years of experience as a federal prosecutor and senior DOJ official. He advises companies and executives on criminal antitrust investigations and enforcement actions.
Mary Eaton
Co-Head of US Securities & Shareholder Litigation at Freshfields
Mary Eaton co-heads the US Securities & Shareholder Litigation practice at Freshfields, specializing in high-stakes litigation, including securities class actions and M&A disputes.
Patricia Trish Conners
Attorney at Stearns Weaver Miller, P.A.
Patricia Trish Conners is a litigator specializing in antitrust and competition law, with significant experience in state attorneys general enforcement. She served as Chief Deputy for the Florida Attorney General's Office.
Sarah Solum
Global Co-Head of Capital Markets and US Managing Partner at Freshfields
Sarah Solum is US Managing Partner and Global Co-Head of Capital Markets at Freshfields, advising public companies on corporate and transactional matters, including IPOs and governance issues.
Sue Meng
Partner and Managing Director at Duquesne Family Office (Stanley Druckenmiller)
Sue Meng leads the private investment strategy at Duquesne Family Office, focusing on disruptive, high-growth tech and life sciences companies globally. She also serves as General Counsel to Stanley Druckenmiller.
Event Details
- Date
- April 23, 2026
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Berkeley, United States
- Convene, 100 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108
- Pricing
- Varies by tier
- Audience
- Corporate executives, legal professionals, regulators, and academics interested in mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance.
- CLE Credits
- California Law 3 General (participatory); New York Law 0.5 Cybersecurity General, 2.5 Professional Practice – Transitional and Non-transitional