Headline mandates push CC top of value rankings; Linklaters leads for volume in uncertain Europe market

Clifford Chance (CC) has overcome the continued slowdown in the M&A markets to dominate Mergermarket's global, European and UK rankings by value for the first half of 2012.

The magic circle firm took the top spot globally by value ahead of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom with roles on 102 deals worth a total of $143.4bn (£91.8bn).

The tally saw it climb from 17th place in the equivalent rankings last year, thanks in part to roles on four of the 10 largest deals of the period, including Glencore's proposed $53.4bn (£34.2bn) merger with mining giant Xstrata and Nestle's $11.9bn (£7.6bn) acquisition of Pfizer Nutrition.

The firm also topped the European value rankings with roles on 88 deals worth $136.9bn (£87.7bn), including seven of the 10 largest deals, placing it second in the volume rankings behind Linklaters and ahead of Freshfields, Allen & Overy and DLA Piper. It also held the same positions in the UK value and volume rankings.

CC UK corporate head Simon Tinkler (pictured) said: "This shows the results of the investments we have made in long-term relationships with clients, in particular our emphasis on international clients and our renewed sector focus. You can see this through our roles on deals in key sectors and geographies, such as oil and gas and Africa."

But while CC fared well in the Mergermarket rankings, the data provider's trend information shows M&A activity plummeted globally in the first half of 2012 compared with the same period in 2011, with the impact of the eurozone crisis affecting activity levels.

The figures show that while deal values increased in Q2 of this year compared with Q1, H1 global deal values slid 21.6% to $929.4bn (£595.3bn), compared with $1.2trn (£759bn) the previous year, with global volumes also falling by 18.6% to 5,487 deals. Europe saw a similar decline in activity with values falling by 15.7% against a drop in volume of 21.4%.

Asia-Pacific, which UK law firms have continued to prioritise for growth, also saw activity levels fall for a second H1, with volumes for the region outside Japan falling by 22.1%, along with a 15.1% decrease in value.

Linklaters corporate partner Charlie Jacobs said: "Things are tough out there – it's no
surprise activity is down. Equity markets are battered. Debt remains tight. Western economies are sluggish and recent stories have added to the uncertainty, as have the eurozone concerns over this period.

"Among all this is opportunity for the brave and further consolidation, restructuring and M&A, is inevitable. You need to position yourself for this work, but good mandates will be out there."

The rankings also mark the first time that Herbert Smith has appeared in the tables since its alliance with Gleiss Lutz and Stibbe ended, and the impact is evident. The firm does not feature in the top 20 in Europe by either value or volume. Indeed, its roles on 18 deals worth $5.6bn (£3.6bn) would place it 69th by value and 41st by volume.

Herbert Smith corporate head James Palmer said: "Are we out of the European league tables for good? Absolutely not, but of course the dissolution of our alliance has made a difference this year.

"However, we were the biggest contributing share in the alliance and we expect to be back in the European tables in the next few years as we build our platform in Germany and elsewhere."

Top five European adviser rankings H1 2012 – by value

Firm - Value/Volume
Clifford Chance - $136.9bn/88
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer - $124.9bn/75
Linklaters - $113.8bn/98
King & Wood Mallesons - $73.4bn/6
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom - $71.9bn/33

Top five European adviser rankings H1 2012 – by volume

Firm - Value/Volume
Linklaters - $113.8bn/98
Clifford Chance - $136.9bn/88
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer - $124.9bn/75
Allen & Overy - $55.5bn/67
DLA Piper - $22.3bn/60

Source: Mergermarket