Kirkland Is Big Law’s Top Dealmaker in Rocky Market: The Brief

KIRKLAND & ELLIS is Big Law’s leader in M&A advising so far this year, retaining its top slot in a transactions market that’s been rockier than expected, Mahira Dayal, Atthar Mirza, and Princess Onyiri report.

• The firm guided global deals worth about $138 billion over the first quarter, according to Bloomberg Law’s league tables. Kirkland, which topped the annual chart last year, was followed by Davis Polk & Wardwell ($92 billion), Debevoise & Plimpton ($79 billion), Freshfields ($76 billion), and Latham & Watkins ($68 billion).
• Kirkland lawyers advised on two of the quarter’s largest deals: Sycamore Partners’ $23.7 ...