Latham & Watkins and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in the technology, media, and telecom sector during the first half (H1) of 2023 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 Financial Deals Database reveals that Latham & Watkins achieved its leading position in terms of value by advising on $50.5 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati led in terms of volume by advising on a total of 79 deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Most of the top 10 advisers by value witnessed decline in the total value of deals advised by them during H1 2023 compared to H1 2023. Latham & Watkins also witnessed decline, but it was relatively lesser compared to most of its peers. Resultantly, it went ahead from occupying the fifth position by value in H1 2022 to top the chart by this metric in H1 2023. In fact, it was the only firm to surpass $50 billion in total deal value during H1 2023. Latham & Watkins advised on eight billion-dollar deals*, which also included two mega deals valued more than $10 billion.

“Meanwhile, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, despite registering a decline in deals volume in H1 2023 compared to H1 2022, managed to retain its leadership position by this metric. Apart from leading by volume, it also occupied the fourth position by value in H1 2023. Similarly, Latham & Watkins also occupied the third position by volume in H1 2023.”

Kirkland & Ellis occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $44.1 billion worth of deals, followed by  Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison with $35.5 billion, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati with $31.6 billion, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett with $30.6 billion.

Meanwhile, Kirkland & Ellis occupied the second position in terms of volume with 66 deals, followed by Latham & Watkins with 52 deals, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin with 46 deals, and CMS with 45 deals.

*Deal value ≥ $1 billion