Paul Hastings and TriLegal have topped the legal advisers charts for mergers and acquisitions in the Asia-Pacific region for 2025, based on data from GlobalData’s latest league table.

Paul Hastings was recorded as advising on transactions with a combined value of $24.2bn, placing it first by deal value.

TriLegal led on deal count, working on 65 transactions over the same period.

Sidley Austin followed Paul Hastings in total deal value, advising on deals worth $18.7bn.

Clifford Chance took the third spot at $17.5bn, with Norton Rose Fulbright at $14.3bn and Sullivan & Cromwell at $13.4bn.

By deal volume, AZB & Partners ranked second behind TriLegal, handling 47 deals.

Baker McKenzie was third by volume with 40 deals, followed by Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas at 39 and Khaitan & Co at 29 deals.

GlobalData lead analyst Aurojyoti Bose said: “TriLegal was the top adviser by volume in 2024 and managed to retain its leadership position by this metric in 2025 as well. Despite witnessing a year-on-year drop in the number of deals advised by it, TriLegal remained well ahead of peers in terms of volume.

“Meanwhile, Paul Hastings advised on relatively much lesser number of deals but managed to top the chart by value. Involvement in $22.8bn deal for the acquisition of stake in ports from CK Hutchison Holdings and Panama Ports by a consortium of investors played a crucial role for Paul Hastings in securing the top position by value.”  

GlobalData’s league tables are based on the real-time tracking of thousands of company websites, advisory firm websites and other reliable sources available on the secondary domain. A dedicated team of analysts monitors all these sources to gather in-depth details for each deal, including adviser names. 

To ensure further robustness to the data, the company also seeks submissions of deals from leading advisers.