Kirkland & Ellis and White & Case were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in Europe 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 Financial Deals Database reveals that Kirkland & Ellis achieved the leading position in terms of value by advising on $98.3 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, White & Case led in terms of volume by advising on a total of 132 deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “There was more than a three-fold jump YoY in the total value of deals advised by Kirkland & Ellis. Resultantly, its ranking by value jumped from sixth to the top spot. During Q1-Q3 2026, Kirkland & Ellis advised on seven billion-dollar deals* that also included two mega deals valued more than $10 billion. The involvement in these big-ticket deals helped Kirkland & Ellis register a massive jump in terms of value. Apart from leading by value, it also held the 10th position by volume during Q1-Q3 2026.

“Meanwhile, White & Case’s ranking by volume also improved from second to the top position, even though there was a YoY drop in the total number of deals advised by it.  It also occupied the 10th position by value during Q1-Q3 2026.”

Latham & Watkins occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $96.8 billion worth of deals, followed by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison with $84.4 billion, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer with $77.7 billion and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom with $74.8 billion.

Meanwhile, DLA Piper occupied the second position in terms of volume with 117 deals, followed by Cuatrecasas with 102 deals, CMS with 97 deals and Latham & Watkins with 89 deals.

*Deals valued ≥ $1 billion