The Incredible Merger Surge

According to numerous sources ranging from the New York Times and Reuters to Fortune magazine, one clear sign of renewed economic health in this country is the recent boom in mergers and acquisitions. Even the perpetually gloomy takeover lawyer, Martin Lipton, who once declared the virtual demise of M&A activity, recently announced that, we are in a burgeoning mergers and acquisitions boom.

It will surprise many to learn that December 2004, was the busiest month in M&A history, totaling $283.7 b.....