Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Kirkland & Ellis were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in the retail sector during the first half (H1) of 2024 by value and volume, respectively, according to the latest legal advisers league table by GlobalData, which ranks legal advisers by the value and volume of M&A deals on which they advised.

An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that Simpson Thacher & Bartlett achieved the leading position in terms of value by advising on $8.3 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, Kirkland & Ellis led in terms of volume by advising on a total of nine deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Not only was Simpson Thacher & Bartlett the top adviser by value, but it was also much ahead of its peers by this metric. The involvement in $8.3 billion deal for the acquisition of 60% stake in Newland Commercial Management by a consortium of investors played a pivotal role for Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in securing the top spot by value. Meanwhile, Kirkland & Ellis’ ranking by volume improved from the second position in H1 2023 to the top position in H1 2024.”

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $3.5 billion worth of deals, followed by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld with $2.6 billion, Vinson & Elkins with $1.9 billion and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer with $1.7 billion.

Meanwhile, Addleshaw Goddard occupied the second position in terms of volume with six deals, followed by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison with five deals, Jones Day with five deals and Cuatrecasas with five deals.