Two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and White & Case, have secured the top spots in European mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisory rankings through the first nine months of 2026. GlobalData’s most recent rankings reveal Kirkland & Ellis led in deal value, overseeing transactions totaling $98.3 billion, whereas White & Case topped the transaction count with 132 completed deals.
Latham & Watkins placed second by deal value, handling mandates worth $96.8 billion. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison secured third position after advising on $84.4 billion in transactions. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer ranked fourth with $77.7 billion in value, while Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom followed at $74.8 billion. DLA Piper held the second-highest transaction volume with 117 deals.
Cuatrecasas advised on 102 transactions, with CMS overseeing 97. Rounding out the top five by deal volume was Latham & Watkins, which completed 89 transactions.
Analyst Aurojyoti Bose from GlobalData noted that Kirkland & Ellis experienced over a threefold increase in deal value year-over-year, propelling it from sixth to first place. During the first three quarters of 2026, the firm managed $7 billion in transactions, including two megadeals each exceeding $10 billion. These high-value engagements significantly boosted its rankings.
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White & Case also saw an upgrade in its transaction volume ranking, moving from second to first despite a year-over-year decline in the number of deals it handled. The firm remained in tenth place by deal value during the same period.
GlobalData’s rankings are compiled by continuously tracking corporate websites, law firm platforms, and other verified secondary sources. A specialized team of analysts reviews these materials to collect full details on each transaction, including the names of legal advisers involved.
The firm’s rankings highlight Kirkland & Ellis’ success in securing major M&A agreements, driving its ascent to the top. GlobalData’s reports offer detailed insights into M&A legal adviser performance, providing transparency on industry leaders.
These rankings serve as a critical benchmark for law firms, corporations, and investors assessing market activity. GlobalData’s team, led by Aurojyoti Bose, maintains close surveillance of the M&A environment, delivering consistent updates on evolving trends.