Market watchers view mergers and acquisitions as an economic yardstick. After several years of modest volumes, we've already seen substantial M&A activity in 2014 across industries including biotech, pharmaceuticals, and technology. Has the market rediscovered its mojo? Our panel from Silicon Valley and San Francisco discusses the forces driving the recent upturn in deal volume, as well as talking about trends in shareholder activism, and current patterns in pre- Series A tech acquisitions. California Lawyer met for an update with David A. Lipkin of Morrison & Foerster; Michael Kennedy of Shearman & Sterling; Dana Kromm of Shearman & Sterling; and E. Thom (Todd) Rumberger of Foley & Lardner. The roundtable was moderated by California Lawyer and reported by Cherree P. Peterson of Barkley Court Reporters.

MODERATOR: Mergers and acquisitions have seen a significant uptick in the first quarter of 2014; what's driving this?

Originally published in California Lawyer on June 7, 2014.