Allen & Overy (A&O) and Garrigues have won the lead roles on the €11.5bn (£7.85bn) approach by Imperial Tobacco for Spanish rival Altadis, announced earlier today (15 March).

A&O is advising Imperial, the fourth-largest tobacco company in the world, with City-based corporate partner Jeremy Parr – who handles the magic circle firm's relationship with the client – leading the team.

Fellow London corporate partner Helen Harrison-Hall is also advising Imperial, alongside local finance head Inigo Gomez-Jordana and M&A partner Juan Barona in Madrid.

The instruction is the second major deal on which A&O has acted for Imperial in recent times – following its $1.9bn (£974m) acquisition of Commonwealth Brands in February – and underlines the firm's growing relationship with the client, which has also instructed Ashurst in the past.

Spanish leader Garrigues is acting for Altadis on a transaction that is being conducted under Spanish law.

The bid looks set to continue a wave of consolidation in the tobacco industry, with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer last year scooping a lead role for Japan Tobacco on its £7bn bid for rival group Gallaher.