Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and CMS were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in the retail sector during the first half (H1) of 2023 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 Financial Deals Database reveals that Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer achieved its leading position in terms of value by advising on $4.6 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, CMS led in terms of volume by advising on a total of 10 deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “CMS was the only adviser with double-digit deal volume in H1 2023. Moreover, it went ahead from occupying the second position by volume in H1 2022 to top the chart by this metric in H1 2023.

“Meanwhile, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer also saw a significant jump in its ranking by value from 57th position in H1 2022 to the top position in H1 2023. It also registered a substantial jump in the total value of deals advised by it in H1 2023 compared to H1 2022.”

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett jointly occupied the second position in terms of value by advising on $4 billion worth of deals each.

Meanwhile, Kirkland & Ellis occupied the second position in terms of volume with seven deals, followed by Baker McKenzie with seven deals, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin with six deals, and White & Case with four deals.