November 21 2025
In the latest episode of Deal or No Deal?, Dentons’ leading M&A podcast, Jason Saltzman — Partner in Dentons Canada’s Corporate group, National Leader of the Firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions Group, and President of the Toronto Chapter of the M&A Club — is joined by Michael Beeforth, Partner in Litigation & Dispute Resolution (Toronto), and Riley Dearden, Partner in Corporate (Calgary), to unpack the essential yet often underestimated role of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in M&A transactions.
While NDAs may appear as standard boilerplate documents, the episode emphasizes their strategic importance in establishing the foundation of trust between parties and protecting confidential deal information from the outset. The speakers explain how NDAs influence the tone and pace of negotiations, ensuring that both financial and strategic buyers and sellers can engage confidently before any definitive agreement is signed.
This discussion highlights that beyond confidentiality, a well-crafted NDA can shape power dynamics in the deal process, set expectations on information sharing, and mitigate future disputes. Dentons’ cross-practice perspective—combining corporate, litigation, and tax insights—offers a comprehensive view of how these preliminary documents underpin the broader success of mergers, acquisitions, and buyouts.
For professionals in M&A, private equity, and corporate finance, this episode is a valuable reminder that even the earliest steps in a transaction can significantly affect deal outcomes. Understanding the nuances of NDAs can prevent costly misunderstandings and build the trust required to move from intent to closing.
Listen to the full episode: Dentons M&A Podcast – Deal or No Deal: NDA and LOI’s (Part 1)
