White & Case and CMS were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in Europe during the first half (H1) of 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 reveals that White & Case achieved the leading position in terms of value by advising on $27.1 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, CMS led in terms of volume by advising on a total of 105 deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “CMS was the clear winner in terms of volume as it was the only adviser to hit triple-digit deal volume during H1 2024. Interestingly, it was also the top adviser by volume in H1 2023.

“Meanwhile, White & Case registered a jump in the total value of deals it advised as well as an improvement in its ranking by value in H1 2024 compared to H1 2023. It went ahead from occupying the sixth position by value in H1 2023 to lead in H1 2024. Involvement in seven billion-dollar deals* during H1 2024 was pivotal for White & Case to register improvement in the total value of deals advised as well as its ranking in terms of value.”

White & Case occupied the second position in terms of volume with 60 deals, followed by Baker McKenzie with 49 deals, Allen & Overy with 42 deals and Addleshaw Goddard with 41 deals.

Meanwhile, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $26.5 billion worth of deals, followed by Latham & Watkins with $22.1 billion, Kirkland & Ellis with $19.3 billion and Sullivan & Cromwell with $18.6 billion.

*Deals valued ≥ $1 billion