Linklaters tops French M&A tables for 2005

Linklaters has topped the French M&A league table for 2005, advising on the most deals with the highest total value.

The magic circle firm advised on 57 French deals worth EUR 75.6bn in 2005, ahead of Clifford Chance which worked on 49 transactions worth EUR 68.5bn, according to Mergermarket’s year-end M&A tables.

It was a good year for other UK firms in Paris, with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Allen & Overy (A&O) both busy. A&O rose up the rankings from 22nd place in 2004 to 5th last year, working on deals worth EUR 39.3bn.

Independent French firms also performed well. Gide Loyrette Nouel stormed to 3rd place from last year’s 20th on the back of key roles for the state on a succession of partial privatisations.

Rambaud Martel, which merged with Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe on 1 January 2006, enjoyed a strong final year with a role on 13 deals worth EUR 35bn.

Bredin Prat and Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier both remained in the top 20 firms, but dropped down the table.

Meanwhile US firms continue to do well in France. The biggest rise came from Jones Day, shooting up to 14th position from 2004’s 46th spot with 28 deals worth EUR 19.5bn.