Leading data and analytics company GlobalData has revealed the latest mergers and acquisitions (M&A) league table of the top 10 legal advisers for the construction sector by value and volume during the coronavirus-hit first quarter (Q1) of 2020.

Kirkland & Ellis leads by value

Kirkland & Ellis has dominated the M&A legal advisers league table based on deal value in Q1 2020. The American law firm secured the top spot based on the total advised deal value of US$25.3bn. However, in deal volume terms, the firm settled in fourth position with four deals.

GlobalData, which tracks all M&A, private equity/venture capital and asset transaction activity around the world to compile league tables, confirmed that Sullivan & Cromwell achieved second position with four deals worth US$24.23bn and White & Case third with four deals worth US$21.7bn.

Ravi Tokala, Financial Deals Analyst at GlobalData, says: “With an impressive overall rise of 28.45% in deal value in the construction sector, the top three advisors in value terms, Kirkland & Ellis, Sullivan & Cromwell and White & Case, respectively, were able to cross the US$20bn mark.”

Latham & Watkins leads by volume

Latham & Watkins has secured number one position in the latest global M&A legal advisers league table for the construction sector based on deal volume in Q1 2020. The American law firm advised on eight deals worth US$7.45bn.

Jones Day occupied the second position with six transactions worth US$0.68bn, followed by Linklaters with five deals worth US$19.48bn.

Tokala comments: “Despite advising on the highest number of deals, the top three advisors in volume terms, Latham & Watkins, Jones Day and Linklaters, respectively, lagged behind others in terms of value due to the low-value transactions the firms were involved in.”

Latham & Watkins, which topped the construction sector league table, stood at second position in the recently released global league table of top 20 M&A legal advisers by GlobalData.

Global construction deals market in Q1 2020

The construction sector saw an impressive overall rise of 28.45% in deal value from US$47.2bn in Q1 2019 to US$60.63bn in Q1 2020. Deal volume, however, decreased by 6.15% from 667 in Q1 2019 to 626 in Q1 2020.