Íñigo Erlaiz places AI and M&A at the heart of the legal sector’s strategy for 2026 | Expansión

Artificial intelligence and a revival of transactional activity will shape the legal sector’s agenda in 2026. In a context of greater economic and geopolitical stability, law firms face a decisive year to enhance efficiency, profitability, and differentiation.

The strategic adoption of artificial intelligence has become a key element in transforming legal service delivery models, while the market points to a rebound in M&A driven by the need for funds to divest, as well as by the availability of liquidity and access to financing.

In this scenario, Íñigo Erlaiz, managing partner at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo, notes that “if the geopolitical context stabilises, 2026 should be a year of intense transactional activity.” He explains: “On the seller side, many funds need to divest, and on the buyer side, there is liquidity and access to financing,” which, combined with a more predictable environment for valuations, should translate into greater dynamism in the M&A market, particularly in sectors such as defence, telecommunications, and technology.

Erlaiz also emphasises that “2026 will be a key year for AI adoption,” as “the technologies are available, and differentiation will come from companies actually using them.” In this context of change, he adds, “those who can best adapt their structure of people, knowledge, and data to leverage technology more effectively than others will come out stronger,” highlighting that it will be an important year to position themselves in this transformation process.

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