There was strong volume and valuations in 2014, which was driven by a highly competitive market, says Patricia Hutter, a partner at Quarles & Brady. Hutter expects 2015 to continue to be a robust time for M&A deal makers. We are seeing a lot of clients who want to focus on growing through acquisition, says Hutter. For more coverage, see the Sponsored Roundtable Credit, Capital and Confidence Spark Midwest Dealmaking.