A&O Shearman partners join Berlin Global Dialogue lineup

The annual summit brings together business leaders, policymakers, and academics to explore how new forms of cooperation can strengthen global resilience and prosperity amid intensifying geopolitical and economic pressures.

The firm’s return reflects our role at the intersection of law, business, and governance—advising clients on the legal and regulatory consequences of a fast-changing geopolitical and economic landscape. The 2026 program will examine the roles of public and private actors in reshaping global markets in a world defined by economic integration, rapid technological development, and growing national security concerns.

Across the two-day summit, A&O Shearman’s partners will join political and business leaders from around the world, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

A&O Shearman’s delegation will include 11 partners representing its global platform and reflecting the firm’s multidisciplinary expertise across finance, technology, energy, and regulatory affairs. Its engagement at BGD 2026 reinforces the firm’s role as a trusted advisor helping clients address complex geopolitical and technological change.

A&O Shearman’s participation in BGD 2026 builds on its longstanding commitment to advancing international dialogue and shaping the legal foundations of global economic cooperation. The firm continues to advise governments, institutions, and corporations on strategies that balance openness, innovation, and strategic autonomy in an increasingly interconnected world.

Two A&O Shearman partners—Hervé Ekué, global managing partner; and David Wakeling, global head of the AI group—will take part in the panel discussions below.

October 21, 11:30am–12:30pm
AI at scale: shared prosperity or widening divide? 

David Wakeling, partner and global head of the AI group, will contribute to a discussion about the organizational, infrastructure, and regulatory actions needed to accelerate AI adoption and unlock associated growth.

October 22, 09:00–10:00am
From globalization to alignment: a new business—government bargain?

Hervé Ekué, global managing partner at A&O Shearman will discuss how geopolitical competition and economic security concerns are reshaping globalization, and what governments and businesses must do to manage shared strategic interests and risks.