EVENT DETAILS:
Thursday, September 10, 2026 | Invitation Only
The Los Angeles Business Journal, in partnership with ACG Los Angeles, was proud to present the 2nd annual 2026 M&A Awards — a private event dedicated to honoring the transactions and professionals shaping Southern California’s dealmaking landscape.
The program celebrated both the Deals of the Year, recognizing standout mergers and acquisitions that demonstrated strategic vision and market impact, and the Dealmakers of the Year, highlighting the attorneys, lenders, investment bankers, private equity leaders, and due diligence professionals for their overall impact on successful M&A activity.
INSIDE THE SUPPLEMENT:
Private Equity’s Long Hold: Navigating a Market in Transition
Private equity dealmaking in 2026 has been defined by caution. After a rocky start to the ... Read more
A Conversation with Darren Menaker
Reflections on 23 years at Bernstein Private Wealth Management … Learn more here
The Exit You Won’t Regret Starts Long
Before You Sell
Every year our team sits across from owners who are proud, exhausted, and stunned. They’re proud of what they … Read more
DEALMAKERS OF THE YEAR:
M&A INDUSTRY ICON AWARD HONOREE:
LAWRENCE M. BRAUN – Sheppard
ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR HONOREE:
LILIANA RANGER – Latham & Watkins LLP
INVESTMENT BANKER OF THE YEAR HONOREE:
ANDREW DUNST – The Sage Group
PRIVATE EQUITY PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR HONOREE:
CYRUS NIKOU – Atar Capital
DUE DILIGENCE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR HONOREE:
ANANT PATEL – GHJ
EMERGING LEADER OF THE YEAR HONOREE:
CATHLEEN GREEN – Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP
DEAL OF THE YEAR:
DEAL OF THE YEAR – $1 BILLION+ HONOREE:
Authentic Brands Group LLC acquires of Guess?, Inc.
DEAL OF THE YEAR – $500 MILLION – $1 BILLION HONOREE:
Astrana Health acquires Prospect Medical Holdings
DEAL OF THE YEAR – $100 MILLION – $500 MILLION HONOREE:
Alcon Media Group acquires Village Roadshow Entertainment Group USA
DEAL OF THE YEAR – UNDER $100 MILLION HONOREE:
Wieland Group acquires Techni-Cast Corporation
BREAKTHROUGH DEAL OF THE YEAR HONOREE:
Highlander Partners, LP acquires Tapatío Foods, LLC
