Kirkland & Ellis Leads M&A Legal Adviser in Q1 2021 Says GlobalData

Kirkland & Ellis lead the table of legal advisers for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals in the first quarter of 2021, according to the latest data from GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

The leading legal adviser led both in terms of deal value and volume following the successful completion of 213 deals valued at $132.3 billion in the first quarter of 2021. 

During the quarter, Kirkland & Ellis was the only adviser that advised on over 200 deals during the first quarter of the year, this was in addition to 32 deals worth over or equal to $1 billion the company advised on.

Aurojyoti Bose, a lead analyst at GlobalData, said: “Kirkland & Ellis was the only adviser that managed to advise on more than 200 deals during Q1 2021. The firm also advised on 32 deals worth greater than or equal to $1bn, and was among the few advisors that managed to surpass the $100bn mark.

“Kirkland & Ellis witnessed 36.5% growth in deal volume and 48.2% growth in deal value during Q1 2021 compared to Q1 2020. This growth, coupled with involvement in big-ticket deals, helped the firm top the list.”

Sullivan & Cromwell followed with 36 deals worth $120.1 billion while Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison came third with 52 deals worth $114.9 billion. In fourth place was Simpson Thacher & Bartlett with 51 deals worth $113 billion.

Latham & Watkins occupied the second position by volume with 119 deals worth $111.9bn, followed by Jones Day with 92 deals worth $27.9bn and Goodwin Procter with 85 deals worth $34.5bn.

Bose adds: “Akin to Kirkland & Ellis, the majority of the top 20 advisors witnessed growth in both deal value and volume in Q1 2021 compared to Q1 2020, which could be indicative of a revival of optimism for deal making.”

Of the top 20 advisers by total deal value, 18 witnessed growth in value in Q1 2021 compared to Q1 2020.

Further, 12 of the top 20 advisers by total number of deals witnessed growth in advised deal volume in Q1 2021 compared to Q1 2020.