Paul Hastings and TriLegal were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in the Asia-Pacific region during the first quarter (Q1) of 2025 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 revealed that Paul Hastings achieved the leading position in terms of value by advising on $22.8 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, TriLegal led in terms of volume by advising on a total of 18 deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Paul Hastings emerged as the clear winner by value in Q1 2025 outperforming its peers by a significant margin. It was the only adviser to surpass $20 billion in total deal value during the quarter, whereas none of the other advisers could even touch $10 billion mark. Paul Hastings secured the top spot by deal value, largely due to its key role in the $22.8 billion acquisition of a majority stake in ports owned by CK Hutchison Holdings and Panama Ports by a consortium of investors.

“Meanwhile, TriLegal was the top adviser by volume in Q1 2024 and managed to retain its leadership position by this metric in Q1 2025 as well.”

King & Wood Mallesons occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $9 billion worth of deals, followed by Morrison & Foerster with $6.6 billion, Clayton UTZ with $5.3 billion and Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas with $2.7 billion.

Meanwhile, AZB & Partners occupied the second position in terms of volume with 15 deals, followed by Khaitan & Co with 11 deals, J Sagar Associates with seven deals and Mori Hamada & Matsumoto with six deals.