Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Kirkland & Ellis have respectively secured the top spots by value and volume in the consumer sector in Q1 2022, according to the latest Legal Advisers League Table by GlobalData. The leading data and analytics company’s Financial Deals Database reveals that Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom achieved the top ranking by value by advising on $13.9 billion worth of M&A deals. Meanwhile, Kirkland & Ellis led by volume, having advised on a total of 14 deals.

According to GlobalData’s report, ‘Global and Consumer M&A Report Legal Adviser League Tables Q1 2022’, a total of 982 M&A deals worth $48.6 billion were announced in the sector during Q1 2022.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Kirkland & Ellis was among the only three advisers to record double-digit deal volume. However, it lagged in terms of value and had to settle for the 10th position by this metric.

“Meanwhile, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom managed to top by value despite advising on about half the number of deals advised by Kirkland & Ellis. The firm’s involvement in two deals valued at more than $5 billion was pivotal for the company in securing the top spot by value.”

An analysis of GlobalData’s Financial Deals Database reveals other high rankers by value included Latham & Watkins, in second place with deals worth $11.9 billion; Sullivan & Cromwell, in third with $7.2 billion; Debevoise & Plimpton, and Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson, both came in fourth with deals worth $6.6 billion.

By volume, Latham & Watkins occupied the second position, with 11 deals; followed by Jones Day, with 11 deals; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, in fourth with eight deals and DLA Piper coming in fifth with eight deals.