White & Case and Baker McKenzie were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in the retail sector during the first three quarters (Q1-Q3) of 2026 by value and volume, respectively, according to the latest legal advisers league table by GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.

An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that White & Case achieved the leading position in terms of value by advising on $9.9 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, Baker McKenzie led in terms of volume by advising on a total of 11 deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Baker McKenzie was the only adviser to hit a double-digit deal volume during Q1-Q3 2026. It registered notable growth in the number of deals advised by it, which helped its ranking by volume rise from 28^th position during Q1-Q3 2025 to the top position during Q1-Q3 2026.

“Similarly, White & Case saw its ranking by value improve from 15^th to the top position. There was more than a two-fold jump in the total value of deals advised by White & Case, primarily driven by its involvement in a deal valued at around $9 billion for Circle K Polska’s acquisition of Zabka Group.”

Alston & Bird occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $2.7 billion worth of deals, followed by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett with $2.6 billion, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune with $2.4 billion, and A&O Shearman with $2.2 billion.

Meanwhile, White & Case occupied the second position in terms of volume with nine deals, followed by A&O Shearman with eight deals, Mayer Brown with seven deals, and Latham & Watkins with seven deals.