CFO Slice

U.S. companies are bracing for a significant increase in legal disputes in 2026 as economic uncertainty, artificial intelligence (AI) disruption, cyber threats, and regulatory complexity intensify, according to new research from AlixPartners. The firm’s 2026 US Risk Survey found that 63% of senior legal, compliance, and risk executives expect corporate disputes to rise next year, with litigation increasingly viewed as both a financial risk and a potential revenue opportunity. AlixPartners partner Sean Dowd said M&A activity and the continued growth of litigation funding are contributing to higher levels of post-deal litigation, while companies are becoming more strategic about pursuing large-scale claims during periods of economic uncertainty. The survey, which gathered responses from 500 senior U.S. executives, identified cybersecurity as the top risk concern, cited by 65% of respondents, although fewer than half said their organizations were very prepared to handle cyber threats. AI-related risks are also escalating, with concern over AI-powered cyberattacks doubling year-over-year to 34%, while 74% of respondents said their organizations have not completed system upgrades designed to address those threats.