Kirkland & Ellis and Demarest Advogados were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in the South & Central American region in 2024 by value and volume, respectively, according to the latest legal advisers league table by GlobalData, a leading data and analytic company.

An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database has revealed that Kirkland & Ellis achieved its leading position in terms of value by advising on $8.2 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, Demarest Advogados led in terms of volume by advising on a total of seven deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Demarest Advogados occupied the top position by volume in 2024, even though there was a drop in the total volume of deals advised by it. In fact, its ranking by volume improved from third position in 2023.

“Meanwhile, Kirkland & Ellis registered a 42.6% jump in the total value of deals advised by it during 2024 compared to 2023. Its ranking by value also improved from the fifth position in 2023 to the top position in 2024. Apart from leading by value, Kirkland & Ellis also held the fifth position by volume in 2024.”

Debevoise & Plimpton occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $8.2 billion worth of deals, followed by Herbert Smith Freehills with $8.2 billion, Clifford Chance with $6.7 billion, and McCarthy Tetrault with $6.1 billion.

Meanwhile, Posse Herrera & Ruiz Abogados occupied the second position in terms of volume with seven deals, followed by Baker McKenzie with six deals, Pinheiro Neto Advogados with six deals, and Kirkland & Ellis with five deals.