Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson and Baker McKenzie were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in the consumer sector during the first quarter (Q1) of 2026 by value and volume, respectively according to the latest legal advisers league table by GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.

An analysis of GlobalData’s Financial Deals Database reveals that Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson achieved the leading position in terms of value by advising on $46.2 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, Baker McKenzie led in terms of volume by advising on a total of nine deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “There was a slight improvement in deal volume for Baker McKenzie in Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025 and its ranking by this metric improved from the second to the top position during this period.

“Meanwhile, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, despite advising on much lesser number of deals, managed to lead by value in Q1 2026. The involvement in $44.8 billion deal for the merger of Unilever’s foods business with McCormick played a pivotal role in Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson securing the top spot by value. In fact, the next five advisers in the value ranking chart were also involved in this high-value deal.”

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $45.2 billion worth of deals, followed by Hogan Lovells with $44.9 billion whereas Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Clifford Chance and Sullivan & Cromwell jointly held the fourth position with each of them advising on one deal worth $44.8 billion.

Meanwhile, Ropes & Gray occupied the second position in terms of volume with seven deals, followed by Kirkland & Ellis with seven deals, Greenberg Traurig with six deals and Latham & Watkins with five deals.