Weil, Gotshal & Manges and CMS have emerged as the leading legal advisers in the European mergers and acquisitions (M&A) sector for the first half (H1) of 2025, according to the latest league table published by GlobalData.

The report ranks legal firms based on the value and volume of M&A transactions they have facilitated.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges secured the top position in terms of deal value, advising on transactions amounting to $20.6bn.

In contrast, CMS led in deal volume, having provided counsel on 130 transactions during the same period.

GlobalData lead analyst Aurojyoti Bose said: “CMS was the clear winner by volume, outpacing its peers by a significant margin in H1 2025. It was the only adviser with triple-digit deal volume during the review period. Apart from leading by volume, CMS also held the eighth position by value in H1 2025.

“Meanwhile, Weil, Gotshal & Manges faced close competition from White & Case for the top position by value during H1 2025. It is noteworthy that White & Case was the top adviser by value in H1 2024 and missed the leadership position in H1 2025 by a whisker. While White & Case registered a decline in the total value of deals advised by it during H1 2025 compared to H1 2024, Weil, Gotshal & Manges registered more than a triple-fold increase. Resultantly, Weil, Gotshal & Manges’ ranking by value jumped from 26th position in H1 2024 to the top position in H1 2025.”

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The analysis from GlobalData’s Deals Database indicates that White & Case ranked second in value, advising on $20.4bn in deals.

Kirkland & Ellis followed closely with $19.1bn, while A&O Shearman and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom reported $17.9bn and $16.7bn, respectively.

In terms of volume, White & Case also secured the second position with 65 deals, followed by A&O Shearman with 64 transactions. Cuatrecasas and Baker McKenzie completed the list with 50 and 37 deals, respectively.

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.