Hogan Lovells and Fasken Martineau DuMoulin were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in the consumer sector during the first three quarters (Q1-Q3) 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 Deals Database reveals that Hogan Lovells achieved the leading position in terms of value by advising on $50 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin led in terms of volume by advising on a total of 15 deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “There was a notable year-on-year (YoY) increase in the total number of deals advised by Fasken Martineau DuMoulin during Q1-Q3 2026. Resultantly, its ranking by volume leaped from 21st position to the top position during this period. Fasken Martineau DuMoulin held fifth position by value during Q1-Q3 2026.

“Meanwhile, Hogan Lovells, despite advising on relatively lesser number of deals, led the table by value primarily due to its involvement in $44.8 billion merger of Unilever’s Foods business with McCormick. In fact, of the top 10 firms by value, the top seven were involved in this high-value deal.”

Sullivan & Cromwell occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $47.3 billion worth of deals, followed by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson with $46.2 billion, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz with $45.2 billion and Fasken Martineau DuMoulin with $44.8 billion.

Meanwhile, Latham & Watkins occupied the second position in terms of volume with 15 deals, followed by Kirkland & Ellis with 15 deals, Baker McKenzie with 13 deals and Ropes & Gray with 11 deals.