Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Kirkland & Ellis were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in the consumer sector during 2024 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 has revealed that Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher achieved the leading position in terms of value by advising on $42.3 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, Kirkland & Ellis led in terms of volume by advising on a total of 31 deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Kirkland & Ellis was the top adviser by volume in 2023 and managed to retain its leadership position by this metric in 2024. Apart from leading by volume, it also occupied the second position by value.

“Interestingly, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, apart from leading by value, also occupied the second position by volume in 2024. The firm’s involvement in the $35.9 billion acquisition of Kellanova by Mars was instrumental in achieving its top spot by value.”

Kirkland & Ellis occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $41.8 billion worth of deals, followed by Cravath Swaine & Moore with $39.9 billion, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom with $39.3 billion and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett with $36 billion.

Meanwhile, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher occupied the second position in terms of volume with 17 deals, followed by Latham & Watkins with 14 deals, Allen & Overy with 13 deals and Baker McKenzie with 12 deals.