Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom was the number one legal adviser globally in 2018 according to GlobalData’s top legal advisers 2018 ranking.

The New York-based international firm led the list in terms of the value of deals advised on in 2018 having worked on 189 deals with a total value of $546.9bn in the period. This included the second biggest transaction of the year, Cigna’s acquisition of Express Scripts for $67bn.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

GlobalData uses its tracking of worldwide mergers and acquisitions, private equity/venture capital deals and asset transaction activity to compile the league table.

The ranking compliments GlobalData’s list of financial advisers which advised on worldwide deals in 2018. 

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom saw a 28% rise in the value of deals advised on during 2018, but a 10.8% decline in volume compared with 2017.

US-based law firms hold the top eight spots in terms of total value of deals advised on in 2018.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The only non-US advisers listed in the top ten were UK-based Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Linklaters LLP which occupied places nine and ten respectively.

(league table uses $bns)

GlobalData’s league tables are based on the real-time tracking of thousands of company websites, advisory firms and other reliable sources. A dedicated team of analysts monitors these sources to gather in-depth details for each deal, including adviser names and deal values.

To ensure further robustness to the data, the company also seeks submissions from leading advisers, through adviser submission forms on GlobalData.