Clifford Chance scores a double first in league tables

Clifford Chance has topped Thomson Financial’s M&A European league tables for both announced and completed deals in the second quarter 2005.

The tables published today (4 July) show Clifford Chance advised on 130 announced deals totalling $103bn, including the $18.26bn acquisition ofBayerische Hypo Vereinsbank by Italy’s Unicredito and on the $18.14bn acquisition of Allied Domecq by Goal Acquisitions.

The firm’s magic circle rivals Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters and Allen & Overy (A&O) ranked second, third and 14th respectively for announced deals.

Sullivan & Cromwell was the best-performing US firm, scooping second place ahead of Linklaters, Freshfields and A&O in the table for completed deals.

Herbert Smith jumped eight places to top the UK table for announced deals after advising on 27 deals totalling $46.6bn.