Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Addleshaw Goddard were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in the retail sector during 2024 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 has revealed that Simpson Thacher & Bartlett achieved the leading position in terms of value by advising on $12.8 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, Addleshaw Goddard led in terms of volume by advising on a total of 16 deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Simpson Thacher & Bartlett was the only adviser that managed to surpass $10 billion mark in total deal value during 2024. Its involvement in the $8.3 billion deal for the acquisition of 60% stake in Newland Commercial Management by consortium of investors was instrumental in securing the top spot by value during the year.

“Meanwhile, Addleshaw Goddard registered a fourfold jump in the total number of deals advised by it during 2024 compared to the previous year. Resultantly, its ranking by volume also jumped from the 25th position in 2023 to the top position in 2024.”

White & Case occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $6.4 billion worth of deals, followed by Cravath Swaine & Moore with $5.7 billion, Willkie Farr & Gallagher with $5.4 billion and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison with $4.6 billion.

Meanwhile, Kirkland & Ellis occupied the second position in terms of volume with 15 deals, followed by White & Case with 12 deals, CMS with 12 deals and Cuatrecasas with 12 deals.