Skadden improved on 2011’s third-place ranking for announced deals by taking the top spot with 234 worth $347 billion.

Freshfields moves up

The Thomson Reuters M&A Legal Review for 2012 also saw London-based Anglo-German magic circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer jump from eighth in 2011 to second for announced deals in 2012, taking in $257bn. New York firm Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz, London-based magic circle practice Linklaters and Los Angeles player Latham & Watkins rounded out the top five.

Emerging markets

With 200 deals worth $316bn, Skadden also claimed top spot in the 2012 completed transactions ranking. Fellow New Yorkers Simpson Thacher & Bartlett came second with 133 deals worth $231bn. Sullivan & Cromwell, Wachtell and Latham & Watkins completed the top five.
Completing a stellar year for the firm, Skadden also took top billing in the emerging markets ranking for 2012, with 62 announced deals worth a combined $117.9bn. In total, emerging markets M&A was up 9 per cent.