Leading law firms Weil, Gotshal & Manges and CMS top European M&A legal advisers in the first half of 2025
In the bustling world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), Weil, Gotshal & Manges has claimed the top spot in terms of deal value, advising on transactions amounting to a staggering $20.6 billion in the first half of 2025. This impressive feat has catapulted the firm from the 26th position it held in H1 2024.
The report published by GlobalData, which ranks legal firms based on the value and volume of M&A transactions, also revealed that CMS held the 8th position by value and was the clear winner by volume in H1 2025, outpacing its peers by a significant margin with 130 transactions. White & Case secured the second position in deal volume with 65 transactions, while A&O Shearman reported 64 transactions.
Interestingly, White & Case, which held the top position by value in H1 2024, missed the leadership position in H1 2025 by a small margin, with a deal value of $20.4 billion. Kirkland & Ellis, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Cuatrecasas also made notable appearances in the league tables, with deal values of $19.1bn, $16.7bn, and $17.9bn respectively in H1 2025.
GlobalData's league tables are based on real-time tracking of thousands of company and advisory firm websites, as well as other reliable sources, ensuring the robustness of the data. The firm seeks submissions of deals from leading advisers to further enhance the accuracy of its rankings.
Meanwhile, in a separate context, Mauritius continues to maintain its status as a strategic gateway for investors seeking to access Africa's largely untapped markets. Despite facing some challenges such as changes in taxation agreements and being briefly placed on the FATF grey list, the country's strong regulatory framework, extensive tax treaty network, and favourable trade agreements like AfCFTA, SADC, and COMESA make it an attractive destination.
The economy of Mauritius remains resilient, with a growth rate of 4.7% in 2024, supported by services, construction, and tourism. However, there is a need to enhance fiscal space and strengthen the monetary policy framework to maintain financial stability. The Mauritian government has outlined ambitious plans to strengthen the financial services sector, aiming to enhance Mauritius's position as an innovative and reliable financial centre.
Investors view Mauritius as a hub for accessing African markets due to its benefits in tax structuring, legal certainty, and ease of capital deployment. The country is particularly appealing for sectors like financial services, ICT, and fintech. Despite some challenges, Mauritius's strategic position and supportive ecosystem make it a compelling gateway for investors aiming to tap into Africa's growing markets.
An artificial intelligence (AI) could analyze the financial data from the GlobalData's league tables and identify that Weil, Gotshal & Manges, CMS, White & Case, and A&O Shearman are among the top firms in terms of deal value and volume in the M&A sector for H1 2025. Furthermore, Mauritius, with its strong regulatory framework and extensive tax treaty network, could be an attractive destination for foreign investors interested in investing in Africa's largely untapped markets, particularly in sectors like financial services, ICT, and fintech.
