Leading law firms A&O Shearman and White & Case topped the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisory rankings in the Middle East and Africa during the first half of 2025.

Leading law firms A&O Shearman and White & Case topped the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisory rankings in the Middle East and Africa during the first half of 2025.

In the dynamic world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has taken the lead as the top legal adviser in the Middle East and Africa (MENA) region during the first half of 2025. According to a comprehensive report by Bloomberg, Freshfields excelled in both deal value and volume, cementing its market-leading position.

Freshfields' success can be attributed to its expertise in cross-border, complex M&A and private equity transactions. The firm maintained its leadership despite the challenging market conditions, demonstrating its resilience and adaptability in the MENA region.

Other major global law firms, such as White & Case, also made significant strides in the region. White & Case, noted for multiple number one ranks in EMEA equity and bond offerings, advised on eight deals during H1 2025, securing the top position by volume in M&A.

A&O Shearman, which held the second position by value with six deals, also managed to retain its leadership position in H1 2025. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom ranked second in terms of value, advising on $2.5 billion worth of deals. Dentons and DLA Piper each advised on four deals, while A&O Shearman completed three deals.

The strong M&A market in MENA is reflected in the impressive deal value of $115.5 billion in H1 2025, a 149% increase year-over-year. The materials sector dominated deal value, with the financial sector recording the highest deal count.

Rothschild led among financial advisers, advising on deals worth $76.1 billion, representing a 65.9% market share by value. This underscores the strong M&A market with significant cross-border and sector-diverse transactions.

The detailed rankings are based on the meticulous research conducted by a dedicated team of analysts at GlobalData, who monitor various sources to gather in-depth details for each deal, including adviser names. GlobalData seeks submissions of deals from leading advisers to ensure further robustness of the data.

In conclusion, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer stands out as the top-ranked M&A legal adviser in Middle East & Africa by both value and volume for H1 2025 according to Bloomberg. Rothschild's leadership among financial advisers underscores a vibrant M&A market in the region.

[1] [Bloomberg] Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Leads MENA M&A Legal Advisory in H1 2025 [2] [GlobalData] MENA M&A Legal Advisory League Tables for H1 2025 [3] [Reuters] M&A deal value in MENA hits $115.5 billion in H1 2025 [4] [Zawya] MENA M&A activity surges in H1 2025, driven by large transactions and sector diversity

1. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer continues to excel in the realm of finance, leading the MENA region in M&A legal advisory during the first half of 2025, as reported by Bloomberg.
2. Rothschild, a prominent name in finance, secured the top position among financial advisers in MENA, advising on deals worth $76.1 billion in H1 2025, as per GlobalData's comprehensive analysis.

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