The Top M&A Deals And Their Key Legal Advisers 2025

CMS · Side not disclosed

CMS advised on the deal, using its insight across real estate, healthcare and infrastructure. CMS UK generated £711m in turnover and £228m in operating profit in 2025, supported by a broad international platform. The firm shows sustained growth over multiple years and continues to act on large-scale, multi-jurisdictional transactions involving regulated assets and long-term investment structures.

Travers Smith · Side not disclosed

Travers Smith advised on the transaction, drawing on its longstanding strength in complex public and private M&A, particularly within real estate, infrastructure and regulated sectors. The firm has a reported £214m turnover in 2024, delivering £81.1m in operating profit. Classified as a 10% Scaleup using the Beauhurst Signals, Travers Smith continues to invest in innovation and capability, most notably through the spin-out of its AI platform, Jylo, into an independent technology venture.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer · Sell-side

Freshfields advised on the sell-side as part of its global banking and financial institutions practice. Operating in the UK through a long-established entity founded in 1999, the firm is a dominant adviser on complex, high-value and regulated transactions. Its involvement shows the technical and regulatory complexity of the deal, as well as the continued reliance on Freshfields for landmark UK financial services transactions.

Addleshaw Goddard · Buy-side

Addleshaw Goddard advised Coventry Building Society on the acquisition, continuing its strong run of mandates within banking and financial services M&A. Addleshaw Goddard has expanded rapidly over the past five years, demonstrating sustained growth with 11% revenue increase in its latest accounts. Recent activity includes double-digit revenue growth in Scotland and targeted senior hires across private equity and employment, underlining its ambition to compete at the top end of UK transactional work.

White & Case · Sell-side

White & Case advised on the legal execution of the transaction, drawing on its international M&A and financing capabilities. The firm reported £377m turnover and £176m operating profit in 2023, with a strong focus on large-scale, cross-border strategic transactions.

Clifford Chance · Buy-side

Clifford Chance advised Partners Group on the acquisition, bringing its extensive experience in large-scale private equity and cross-border M&A. Clifford Chance reported £2.25b turnover and £872m operating profit in its latest accounts, employing more than 6,750 staff globally.

Addleshaw Goddard · Side not disclosed

Addleshaw Goddard advised on the transaction, further cementing its position as a leading adviser on complex UK private equity deals.

This is the second time Addleshaw Goddard has appeared in the report.

DLA Piper · Side not disclosed

DLA Piper supported the deal, drawing on its global private equity and professional services expertise. The firm employs 3,953 staff globally and generated £1.5b turnover, delivering £498m operating profit. Classified as a Beauhurst 10% Scaleup and actively hiring, DLA Piper operates through an extensive international structure with 20 subsidiary entities and a significant presence across major financial centres.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer · Side not disclosed

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer also advised on the transaction, bringing its experience in high-value M&A and complex corporate structures. The firm employs over 4,400 staff and reported £1.29b turnover in 2024, with £438m operating profit. Recent strategic developments include international expansion through mergers, the appointment of its first Global Chief AI Officer, and continued investment in US and European partner hires.

Mills & Reeve · Sell-side

Mills & Reeve acted for the sell-side, drawing on its strong mid-market M&A and technology sector expertise. The firm employs over 1,150 staff and generated £171m turnover in its latest accounts, with £62.2m operating profit.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton · Buy-side

Cleary Gottlieb advised Bridgepoint Development Capital on the acquisition, reflecting the firm’s growing involvement in technology-based private equity transactions. The firm has recently strengthened its in-house technology capabilities through a strategic AI acquisition, with multiple reports in March 2025 highlighting its investment in legal tech to support complex, data-intensive deals.

Taylor Wessing · Sell-side

Taylor Wessing advised on the sale, applying its experience across food, retail and supply chain transactions. The firm employs over 1,000 staff and reported £245m turnover, with £95.3m operating profit and £135m net assets. Classified as a Beauhurst 10% Scaleup, Taylor Wessing has shown consistent growth and continues to expand its leadership team through targeted partner appointments. Recent developments include a planned merger with Winston & Strawn and the announcement of record global revenues of €619m.

Hogan Lovells · Sell-side

Hogan Lovells advised on the sell-side, using on its extensive experience in technology, life sciences and cross-border M&A. The firm employs over 3,355 staff globally and reported £1.23b turnover in 2024, delivering £488m in operating profit. Hogan Lovells has a broad international reach, operating through 23 subsidiary entities.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison · Sell-side

Paul, Weiss supported the transaction on the sell-side, advising on US elements of the deal. The firm operates in the UK as an Overseas Entity, registered in November 2022, and is internationally recognised for its corporate, restructuring and litigation practices.

Slaughter and May · Sell-side

Slaughter and May advised on the sell-side, using its long-standing expertise in public company M&A and life sciences transactions. As one of the UK’s five magic circle law firms, Slaughter and May operates with a focused partnership model and advises on many of the country’s most complex and strategically significant transactions.

Jones Day · Sell-side

Jones Day advised on the sell-side, applying its global private equity and consumer sector expertise. The firm operates as a fully integrated international law practice with a significant UK presence and is regularly instructed on high-value sponsor-led transactions.

Knights · Side not disclosed

Knights advised on the transaction, continuing its expansion as a consolidator within the UK legal services market. Knights operates as a publicly listed legal services provider with over 1,350 employees and £161m in turnover. The firm has grown rapidly through acquisition, operating a network of 24 subsidiary legal firms across England and Wales, including recent purchases such as Birkett Long.

Wansbroughs · Sell-side

Wansbroughs advised on the sell-side, bringing its expertise in mid-market corporate transactions. With turnover growth from £7.01m over three years and a headcount increase to 88 employees, Wansbroughs continues to strengthen its position as a fast-growing law firm.

Fox Williams · Buy-side

Fox Williams advised Brillian UK on the acquisition, using its strength in technology-led M&As. The firm reported £40.7m turnover with £20.6m operating profit in its latest accounts, having grown steadily from £28.1m turnover in 2020. Fox Williams has achieved 20% Scaleup, reflecting consistent financial performance and growth.

George Green · Side not disclosed

George Green advised on the transaction, drawing on its experience in corporate and infrastructure-related matters. The firm reported total assets of £4.44m as of March 2024, up from £3.77m the previous year.

Latham & Watkins · Side not disclosed

Latham & Watkins advised on the transaction, reinforcing its position as a leading adviser on large-scale, cross-border private equity deals. The firm operates in the UK through Latham & Watkins (London) LLP, a recently registered overseas entity. Despite its short UK operating history, the entity has already seen notable leadership changes, with four director departures and three new appointments.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer · Sell-side

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer acted on the sell-side, bringing its expertise in high-value, regulated M&A.

This marks the second appearance of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer in this report.

A&O Shearman · Buy-side

A&O Shearman advised Athora on the acquisition. Operating through A&O Shearman (Legal Advisers) Limited, the firm forms part of the Allen Overy Shearman Sterling group structure.

Sidley Austin · Buy-side

Sidley Austin supported the buy-side by advising on regulatory and transactional matters. The firm operates in the UK as an Overseas Entity registered in February 2023 and has recently expanded its London and New York teams through multiple senior appointments.

Clifford Chance · Buy-side

Clifford Chance advised Aviva on the acquisition, continuing its prominent role in large-scale insurance and financial services M&A.

This marks the second appearance of Clifford Chance in this report.

ERS Shepherd and Wedderburn · Side not disclosed

Shepherd and Wedderburn advised on the transaction, drawing on its deep expertise in infrastructure, transport, energy and complex corporate transactions involving Scottish assets. One of Scotland’s leading full-service law firms, it employs over 500 people and reported turnover of £71.4m in 2024, with profits rising 12% to £29.2m.

A&O Shearman · Sell-side

A&O Shearman advised on the sell-side, applying its experience in high-profile transactions involving regulated entities and globally recognised brands.

This marks the second appearance of A&O Shearman in this report.

Latham & Watkins · Buy-side

Latham & Watkins advised the San Francisco 49ers on the acquisition. The firm continues to be a go-to adviser for strategic and private equity investors pursuing high-value, cross-border acquisitions.

This marks the second appearance of Latham & Watkins in this report.

Burness Paull · Sell-side

Burness Paull advised on the sell-side, leveraging its strong corporate and real estate credentials. Headquartered in Edinburgh, with an additional Glasgow office, the firm employs 604 staff and generated £60.1m in turnover. The firm’s operation of four subsidiaries, including Burness Paull Leeds, demonstrates its commercial growth and geographic expansion beyond Scotland.

Wright Johnston & Mackenzie · Buy-side

Wright Johnston & Mackenzie advised the buyer, drawing on its full-service Scottish platform spanning corporate, commercial, real estate, litigation, energy and financial services law. Based in Aberdeen with offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow, WJM has grown steadily, increasing turnover from £11.5m in 2020 to £15.3m in 2024, with operating profit rising to £4.90m. Recent partner appointments and 12 new hires in late 2025 signal an active growth strategy across its Scottish offices.

Freshfields · Sell-side

Freshfields advised on the sell-side, drawing on its deep expertise in life sciences and healthcare M&A.

This marks the second appearance of Freshfields in this report.

Latham & Watkins · Buy-side

Latham & Watkins advised MSD on the acquisition, continuing its consistent presence on high-value biotech and pharmaceutical transactions. The firm’s repeated involvement across regions reflects its technical depth in cross-border life sciences M&A.

This marks the third appearance of Latham & Watkins in this report.

Blake Morgan · Sell-side

Blake Morgan advised on the sell-side, leveraging its strength in Welsh corporate transactions and leisure sector expertise. The firm employs 626 staff and generated £62.6m in turnover, delivering £19.4m in operating profit. Classified as a Beauhurst 10% Scaleup, Blake Morgan has received multiple accolades, including Welsh team recognition in Chambers 2026 and Law Firm of the Year at the Solent Deals Awards 2024.

Fladgate · Buy-side

Fladgate advised Dolphin Capital on the acquisition, continuing its strong run in mid-market private equity transactions. The firm has grown rapidly, achieving 10% Scaleup status with turnover rising from £51.7m in 2021 to £88.8m in 2025. Operating profit remains consistently above 50% (£45.6m), and strategic hiring across technology and innovation functions shows ongoing investment in capability expansion.

Baker McKenzie · Buy-side

Baker McKenzie advised Surgical Science on the acquisition, drawing on its global expertise in life sciences, medical technology and cross-border M&A. The firm employs 738 staff in the UK and reported £355m turnover with £143.4m operating profit in its latest accounts, maintaining profit margins of around 40%. With steady growth from £252m turnover in 2020 and a complex international partnership structure, Baker McKenzie plays a central role in major cross-border healthcare and technology transactions.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher · Sell-side

Willkie Farr & Gallagher advised on the sell-side, bringing its strong sponsor-side private equity M&A expertise to the transaction. The firm is widely recognised for advising on complex, high-value private equity deals. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP operates as a recently established overseas entity, incorporated in December 2022, and serves as the UK arm of the US firm.

Arthur Cox · Buy-side

Arthur Cox advised on the buy-side, contributing expertise in cross-border structuring and Irish corporate law. As one of Northern Ireland’s leading law firms, Arthur Cox is frequently instructed on complex international transactions involving Irish and UK assets, particularly in financial services and technology sectors.

Latham & Watkins · Buy-side

Latham & Watkins also advised TA Associates on the acquisition, reinforcing its position as a leading adviser on high-value private equity transactions.

This marks the Fourth appearance of Latham & Watkins in this report.

Mayer Brown · Buy-side

Mayer Brown advised on the buy-side, drawing on its international M&A and private equity structuring expertise. The firm employs 425 staff in the UK and reported £163m turnover in 2024. It was recently recognised at the 2025 Global Americas Derivatives Awards, and appointed Ken Wainstein to lead its global investigations practice.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett · Buy-side

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett also advised on the acquisition, leveraging its core strength in private equity buyouts. Operating in London as an Overseas Entity, the firm continues to expand its international platform. Its ongoing activity includes new partner appointments in energy law and advisory roles on major debt and financing transactions.

Simmons & Simmons · Other

Simmons & Simmons advised on elements of the transaction, bringing its specialist expertise in technology, SaaS and regulatory matters. The firm has expanded internationally through strategic acquisitions and new operating models, including a legal partnership structure in Ireland.

Carson McDowell · Sell-side

Carson McDowell advised on the sell-side, leveraging its experience in healthcare and mid-market M&A. The firm employs 157 staff across Belfast and reported £21.3m in turnover, delivering an operating margin of 46.5% and net assets of £11.2m.

Tughans · Buy-side

Tughans advised 57 Stars on the acquisition, drawing on its full-service Northern Irish platform and healthcare sector experience. The firm reported £12.8m turnover and £3.84m operating profit in 2024, employing 89 staff and holding £4.4m in cash reserves.Simpson Thacher & Bartlett also advised on the acquisition, leveraging its core strength in private equity buyouts. Operating in London as an Overseas Entity, the firm continues to expand its international platform. Its ongoing activity includes new partner appointments in energy law and advisory roles on major debt and financing transactions.