The last great year for M&A? The future of M&A from this day forward, into 2022 and beyond

Looking backward, will 2021 be seen as the high point of M&A in the U.S.? Given the announcement of a retroactive capital gains tax increase, what’s the impact on the pace of 2021 deals? What risks are there to deals expecting to close after year end? What if the public equity markets correct? If interest rates rise? If inflation continues to increase? What structural changes are coming to M&A as a result of technology, market trends, expected returns, and the regulatory environment? Will any pandemic practices become the new standard?