Lisa Smith is quoted: Consultant Lisa Smith of Fairfax Associates says new leaders taking over in 2021 should focus on their initiatives, despite the pandemic, because ‘If they were important before, they are still important.”

Lisa Smith and Fairfax merger data is quoted: “The interest in combinations is extremely high, and we’ve already, just in the last week, gotten inquiries from multiple firms trying to look at their options and trying to figure out strategy and merger options for the year,” she said.

Lisa Smith is quoted: “For Midwestern firms, consolidating in the region gives them a good platform across multiple states, where there are often business ties, so it helps …

Lisa Smith is quoted: Although some merger deals have been announced and executed virtually in 2020, Smith expressed doubt that a major merger between two large firms could be pulled off without more in-person contact than is currently feasible.