Kellogg’s Coco Pops, a Kellanova brand, on sale in Morrisons, United Kingdom. Credit: Just Food

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Kirkland & Ellis were the top M&A legal advisers in the consumer sector in 2024, analysis of deal data suggests.

According to GlobalData, the parent company of Just Food, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher led in terms of value by advising on $42.3bn worth of deals, while Kirkland & Ellis topped the charts by volume after working on 31 transaction. 

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GlobalData lead analyst Aurojyoti Bose said: “Kirkland & Ellis was the top adviser by volume in 2023 and managed to retain its leadership position by this metric in 2024. As well as leading by volume, it also occupied the second position by value. 

“Interestingly, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, apart from leading by value, also occupied the second position by volume in 2024. The firm’s involvement in the $35.9bn acquisition of Kellanova by Mars was instrumental in achieving its top spot by value.” 

Kirkland & Ellis secured the second position in terms of deal value, advising on $41.8bn worth of transactions.  

Cravath Swaine & Moore followed after working on deals worth $39.9bn. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom advised on $39.3bn, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett on $36bn.

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A table ranking the top M&A legal advisers in the consumer sector in 2024
Credit: GlobalData’s deals database

In terms of deal volume, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher stood in second position with 17 deals. Latham & Watkins followed with 14, Allen & Overy with 13, and Baker McKenzie with 12.  

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

To ensure further robustness of the data, the company also seeks deal submissions  from leading advisers.