News
Freshfields leads global M&A league tables by value, excelling in cross-border, European, US, Asia, MENA, and private equity markets
- Freshfields claims top position for global cross-border M&A for the second year in a row, completing 177 deals valued at $184.6bn (Bloomberg).
- Freshfields is ranked fourth globally as advisor to principals, completing 230 deals valued at $264.2bn, our average deal value is the second highest globally (Bloomberg).
- Freshfields continues to secure its position as the top legal advisor in Europe, advising on 193 deals valued at $152.5bn. This is the fifth consecutive year we are the leading firm in Europe (LSEG).
- Freshfields is ranked 10th in the US for deal value with 109 deals totalling $165.8bn (LSEG). This also marks four out of the last five years that Freshfields is in the top 10 for US announced M&A representing principals (Bloomberg).
- Freshfields is additionally ranked third for European private equity deals, advising on 68 deals valued at $63.8bn and is ranked fifth globally, advising on 86 deals valued at $111.8bn (Bloomberg).
Global law firm Freshfields has secured the top position for global cross-border M&A by value (Bloomberg). This marks the second year in a row that the firm has held the top position for cross-border deals, recognising the firm’s leadership in complex, multi-jurisdictional M&A. The firm has also secured the top position for European M&A, the fifth consecutive year that the firm has held the top position (LSEG).
Freshfields is ranked the fourth leading advisor for global M&A as advisor to principals, completing 230 deals valued at $264.2bn, our average deal value is the second highest globally (Bloomberg). Freshfields is additionally ranked third for European private equity deals.
Julian Pritchard, Head of Global Transactions at Freshfields, commented:
"The uncertainty created by the interest rate and political environment last year meant that innovation, cross border know how and regulatory expertise were at a premium in terms of getting deals done. Activity globally was markedly up, especially in the US and Europe, as were large-cap deals, and we saw our clients engaging in transformative deals on both sides of the Atlantic. Private capital firms continued to look at larger ticket transactions, with strategic sellers being creative in structuring transactions to drive PE interest. The mega trends in tech, life sciences and energy transition M&A continue unabated. Our strong position globally combined with our consistent top 10 position in the US cements our position among the global elite.”
Freshfields achieves top rankings in Europe
Freshfields topped the European rankings for the fifth year (LSEG) and continues to dominate European M&A, achieving first-place rankings in Germany (LSEG, Mergermarket), and second place in the UK (Bloomberg). In Germany, the firm advised on 61 deals valued at $71.9bn, in Benelux on 39 deals totalling $16.4bn (Mergermarket) and in the UK, on 73 deals totalling $53.9bn (Bloomberg).
Freshfields ranks among top 10 in the US
Freshfields strengthened its position in the US for deal value, ranking 10th with 109 deals totalling $165.8bn (LSEG). This also marks four out of the last five years that Freshfields is in the top 10 for US announced M&A representing principals (Bloomberg).
Asia and MENA success
In Asia (excluding Australasia & Japan) Freshfields is ranked second, with 39 deals valued at $49.1bn, and in Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) is third, with 43 deals valued at $56.3bn (Mergermarket). Freshfields also ranked third in Mergermarket’s MEA[DW1] rankings by value, with 24 deals valued at $31.6bn.
Private Equity
The firm’s global private equity practice secured notable rankings, placing third in Europe, having advised on 68 deals with a total value of $63.8bn and placing fifth globally, having advised on 86 deals valued at $111.8bn (Bloomberg).
