Kirkland & Ellis Leads North American M&A Rankings
The law firm secured the top position for M&A advisory value and volume through the first three quarters of 2026.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Corporate Finance
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Kirkland & Ellis topped the North American M&A advisory rankings for the period covering Q1 to Q3 2026. The firm handled 369 transactions with a total value of $456.6 billion.
Why it matters
These league tables highlight the dominance of top-tier legal firms in facilitating multibillion-dollar corporate transactions. Such rankings reflect the ability of these firms to manage complex, high-value deals across the North American market.
Kirkland & Ellis advised on 67 deals valued at over $1 billion, including seven transactions exceeding $10 billion. The firm outperformed rivals such as Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, which recorded $360.1 billion in deal value.
The players
Kirkland & Ellis
An international law firm that provides legal services in corporate, litigation, and intellectual property matters.
GlobalData
A data and analytics company that tracks corporate activity and compiles league tables for advisory firms.
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
A prominent law firm known for representing clients in high-stakes litigation and complex corporate transactions.
Sullivan & Cromwell
A multinational law firm headquartered in New York City that focuses on corporate and financial law.
Latham & Watkins
A global law firm that provides legal advice on significant transactions, disputes, and regulatory matters.
The details
Data compiled by GlobalData shows that Kirkland & Ellis maintained its lead by working on 369 transactions during the first nine months of 2026. Other top firms by deal value included Sullivan & Cromwell at $321.6 billion, Latham & Watkins at $243 billion, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom at $200.7 billion.
Timeline
Kirkland & Ellis maintained its volume leadership during Q1-Q3 2025.
The firm secured its top M&A advisory rankings through Q1-Q3 2026.
Market Dynamics
These rankings illustrate the ongoing consolidation of high-value legal advisory services within the North American market. As documented in GlobalData corporate advisory league tables, the gap between top firms and their competitors shapes the broader competitive environment for institutional clients.
For retail and institutional investors, these rankings identify which legal partners are most frequently utilized for major market activity. Understanding these trends helps stakeholders gauge the legal influence and deal flow capacity of firms involved in their portfolio companies.
The takeaway
Top-tier law firms continue to secure the majority of high-value deals in the current market environment. Investors should monitor these advisory shifts to understand the concentration of deal-making expertise in the corporate sector.
Further reading
For more insights on recent deal activity, visit the Corporate Finance section.
Live Poll
Does the dominance of a few law firms in M&A advisory reduce competition for corporate clients?
