Allen & Overy and Kirkland & Ellis have emerged as the leading mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in the construction sector by both value and volume, respectively, during the first to third quarters (Q1-Q3) of 2024, according to leading data and analytics company GlobalData’s latest league table.
GlobalData - the parent of World Construction Network - ranked advisers by the value and volume of M&A deals on which they advised.
According to the company’s financial deals database, Allen & Overy advised on deals worth a total of $10.3bn, securing the top spot by value in the period.
In terms of volume, Kirkland & Ellis was placed at the top by advising on 28 deals over the period.
GlobalData lead analyst Aurojyoti Bose said: “Kirkland & Ellis was the top adviser by volume during Q1-Q3 2023 and managed to retain its leadership position by this metric during Q1-Q3 2024 as well. Meanwhile, Allen & Overy witnessed its ranking by value improve significantly from the 60th position during Q1-Q3 2023 to the top position during Q1-Q3 2024 as there was a massive year-on-year (YoY) jump in the total value of deals advised by it.
“The involvement in the $8.3bn for acquisition of 60% stake in Zhuhai Wanda Commercial Management by a consortium of investors played a pivotal role for Allen & Overy in registering a massive jump in terms of value and in securing the top spot by this metric.”
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison claimed the second position in the value category with advisories on deals worth a total of $9.8bn. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett followed at $9.2bn, Davis Polk & Wardwell at $7.4bn, and Cravath Swaine & Moore at $7.1bn.
As for deal volume, CMS took the second spot with involvement in 20 deals. White & Case followed with 12 deals while Allen & Overy and Latham & Watkins advised on 11 deals each.
GlobalData’s league tables are based on the real-time tracking of thousands of company websites, advisory firm websites and other reliable sources available on the secondary domain. A dedicated team of analysts monitors all these sources to gather in-depth details for each deal, including adviser names.
To ensure further robustness to the data, the company also seeks submissions of deals from leading advisers.
