Clayton UTZ and Cassels Brock & Blackwell were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in the metals & mining sector during the first half (H1) of 2025 by value and volume, respectively according to the latest legal advisers league table by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that Clayton UTZ achieved its leading position in terms of value by advising on $5.5 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, Cassels Brock & Blackwell led in terms of volume by advising on a total of eight deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Clayton UTZ was not among the top 10 by value in H1 2024. However, its involvement in the $5.3 billion deal for the acquisition of 40% stake in Rhodes Ridge Iron Ore Project by Mitsui in February this year paved the way for it to top the chart by value in H1 2025.

“Meanwhile, Cassels Brock & Blackwell’s ranking by volume improved from the second position to the top position. Apart from leading by volume, it also held the eighth position in terms of value in H1 2025.”

King & Wood Mallesons occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $5.3 billion worth of deals, followed by Herbert Smith Freehills with $3.6 billion, Blake Cassels & Graydon with $3.3 billion and Borden Ladner Gervais with $2.5 billion.

Meanwhile, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin occupied the second position in terms of volume with six deals, followed by Blake Cassels & Graydon with five deals, Stikeman Elliott with four deals and Herbert Smith Freehills with three deals.