Clifford Chance (CC) has bagged a lead role on the $7.2bn (£3.57bn) acquisition of Danone's biscuit business by Kraft Foods.

The magic circle firm advised Kraft, with New York-based relationship partner Sarah Jones (M&A) leading a team of lawyers from the US and Paris. The Paris team included corporate partners Gilles Lebreton and Marcus Billam, Eric Davoudet (tax) and Christian Lacheze (intellectual property).

Kraft also used Sutherland Asbill & Brennan for US tax advice and Arnold & Porter for competition, while Danone turned to France's Bredin Prat for legal advice on the transaction.

It is CC's second significant corporate instruction in a year from Kraft. Last year the firm advised on its acquisition of part of the United Biscuits network for more than $1.07bn (£600m). It is thought that CC won Kraft as a client as a result of its ties with tobacco company Philip Morris – a subsidiary of Kraft's former owner, Altria.

Commenting on the deal, Jones said: "We are delighted to be advising Kraft on this acquisition, which will transform its international business. We look forward to working with [the company] to bring the transaction to a successful close."

The deal will make Kraft Food Europe's biggest biscuit-maker. Kraft already owns Oreo cookies as well as Ritz crackers but the acquisition will give it Danone's LU and TUC crackers brands. It does not include Danone's joint ventures in Latin America and India.

The deal is expected to close before the end of the year.