As the global M&A market hit its lowest point in deal value since 2013, Kirkland & Ellis reclaimed the top spot for principal advisors in deal value — pushing Latham & Watkins back to No. 2 — while Goodwin Procter maintained its dominant presence in deal volume.

The total for worldwide M&A through nine months in 2023 is $2 trillion, down 27% from last year, according to data from the London Stock Exchange’s Refinitiv. While the third quarter was up 16% compared with the fiscal second quarter, it was the lowest third quarter for deal value since 2012 and most law firms have seen tanking deal count.