DLA Piper remains top for M&A transactions for 16th consecutive year

DLA Piper is the highest-ranked legal advisor in the world in mergers and acquisitions deal volume, according to Mergermarket's league tables, topping global M&A deals for the 16th consecutive year. In 2025, DLA Piper advised on more than 1,300 transactions with a disclosed aggregate deal value of approximately US$97 billion.

The firm received top rankings in the Mergermarket league tables for deal count in a number of regions and countries worldwide, including:

• #1 Global for the 16th consecutive year
• #1 Europe for the 13th consecutive year
• #1 Benelux for the second consecutive year
• #1 Nordics for the ninth consecutive year
• #1 Middle East & Africa for the third consecutive year
• #1 UK for the second consecutive year
• #1 Denmark for the second consecutive year
• #2 Sweden
• #3 Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH)
• #4 Americas
• #4 France
• #5 United States
• #5 Poland

The firm was also ranked #6 in Germany, #7 in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Finland, #9 in Norway and Ireland, and #10 in Australasia and Switzerland.

Further, in the Private Equity markets, DLA Piper was ranked #1 in Europe by deal volume for Exits for the second consecutive year, and #2 Globally by deal volume for Buyouts, also for the second-year running.

Over the past 12 months, DLA Piper has worked on a number of outstanding global deals, demonstrating the firm's ability to advise clients on their most complex, high-value, and multi-jurisdictional projects. These include advising Stonepeak on the US$10.1 billion acquisition of Castrol from bp, SolarWinds on its US$4.4 billion acquisition by funds managed by Turn/River, Grupo Cox on its acquisition of Iberdrola's assets in Mexico for US$4.2 billion, Columbus McKinnon on its US$2.7 billion acquisition of Kito Crosby, Sana on its US$1.1 billion acquisition of Workday, and Grant Thornton on its investment by Cinven at more than US$1 billion.

Jon Kenworthy, Global Co-Chair of DLA Piper’s Corporate practice, said: "DLA Piper is proud to once again lead the global M&A market, advising on more transactions than any other law firm for the 16th consecutive year. This achievement reflects the trust our clients place in us and the dedication of our teams worldwide. With deep sector knowledge and the ability to execute complex, high-value deals wherever our clients do business, the firm remains committed to delivering exceptional results across borders and industries. In a market defined by heightened competition for high-quality assets, particularly in technology, life sciences, and energy transition, and as stabilizing valuations and abundant private capital continue to fuel activity, DLA Piper’s global platform ensures clients have the strategic support they need to succeed."

Kathleen Ruhland, Global Co-Chair of DLA Piper’s Corporate practice, said: "Successfully navigating today’s global M&A landscape requires a deep understanding of not only local requirements, but the interconnectedness of regulators, the shifting political landscape, and strategies to mitigate risk to achieve our clients’ goals. DLA Piper is proud to be the trusted advisor its clients rely on to guide them through the complexity of cross-border deals and deliver results that drive long-term value."

Rob Salter, Global Co-Chair of M&A and Head of M&A Strategy at DLA Piper, commented: "Despite the ongoing geopolitical headwinds, high-value cross-border M&A remained resilient in 2025. The firm’s experience advising clients on some of the year’s more significant and complex transactions provides clear insight into how global buyers and sellers are adapting. The firm expects continued momentum through 2026 in large-scale carve-outs, cross-border consolidation, and selective high-value opportunities. As DLA Piper continues to strengthen its platform, with recent lateral hires transitioning seamlessly and working alongside superb homegrown talent, the firm is enhancing its overall M&A capability and ideally positioning itself to help clients act decisively to capture transformational value."

Andrew Gilbert, Chair of DLA Piper’s US Corporate practice, commented: “The firm’s unceasing focus on serving the most innovative companies in the world continues to drive its M&A deal volume. DLA Piper is very proud and grateful to be the trusted transactional counsel in so many highly transformative deals for both the sell-side and buy-side in an increasingly complex M&A environment.”