Ranking tables

Private Equity | Europe

Europe-wide

The below Private Equity rankings table provides market-leading insights on the top ranked lawyers and law firms whose advice and legal services can be purchased in Europe-wide. The rankings are the result of extensive research by our internal research team, who conduct interviews with in-house counsel, other third-party experts and private practice lawyers who have worked alongside them. Use our table and ranking system to identify the most suited provider of legal services for you.

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Clifford Chance LLP
    1
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Private Equity
    2025 | Band 1 | 12 Years Ranked

    Clifford Chance brings together partners from multiple offices to handle high-value transactions on behalf of European- or US-headquartered private equity companies. The law firm has an outstanding offering across Europe, with key offices in Germany, France, Poland, Spain and the UK. It handles investments into international target companies, portfolio acquisitions and buyouts. The law firm's full-service offering also includes assistance with restructurings and fund formation. Clifford Chance has experience in deals in the pharmaceutical, energy and IT sectors.

  2. Latham & Watkins
    1
    Latham & Watkins
    Private Equity
    2025 | Band 1 | 12 Years Ranked
    Latham & Watkins has a superb private equity practice with the proven capacity to lead pan-European deals from the UK, France, Italy and Germany. The law firm attracts attention for strong borrower-side finance capabilities based in London and other key financial centres, which often assist with the negotiation of acquisition finance facilities for European transactions. It advises fund managers on leveraged buyouts of EU-headquartered target companies that have operations in multiple European jurisdictions.
  3. Linklaters
    1
    Linklaters
    Private Equity
    2025 | Band 1 | 12 Years Ranked

    Linklaters has a significant private equity offering in Portugal, Spain, Germany, and the UK. The law firm often acts for sponsors, advising pension funds, together with private equity firms, on investments in multi-jurisdictional target companies. Linklaters is active in a range of matters, including buyouts, exits and restructurings in the energy and healthcare sectors.

2

Band 2

  1. Freshfields
    2
    Freshfields
    Private Equity
    2025 | Band 2 | 12 Years Ranked
    Freshfields has an outstanding pan-European private equity group with significant European offices in Germany, France, Spain and the UK. The law firm works closely with the firm's competition law, finance and tax teams to provide full-service advice. It advises leading private equity houses on high-end deals, further advising on bolt-on acquisitions that facilitate the international expansion of portfolio companies and that necessitate both the drafting of new management incentive schemes and the negotiation of additional loan facilities. Freshfields offers notable experience in regulated sectors, including technology and life sciences, and also counts pension and sovereign wealth funds among its clients.
  2. Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
    2
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
    Private Equity
    2025 | Band 2 | 8 Years Ranked

    Kirkland & Ellis has a strong presence in France, the UK and Germany. The law firm handles high-profile investments, with clients hailing from the UK and US and across Europe, benefiting from the law firm's strong American offering. Its expertise includes LBOs, restructurings and recapitalisations, as well as acquisitions in a range of sectors, including technology and real estate.

3

Band 3

  1. Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP
    3
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP
    Private Equity
    2025 | Band 3 | 12 Years Ranked
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges has market-leading teams in London and Paris, with a further strong presence in Germany. The law firm acts for traditional private equity firms and other institutional investors on transactions that touch on multiple European jurisdictions. It frequently handles multi-jurisdictional transactions both for high-end and venture capital investment funds, assisting with LBOs and take-private matters. Weil Gotshal's further activity includes advising US private equity and Canadian pension funds on European deals in the real estate, TMT and healthcare sectors.
  2. White & Case LLP
    3
    White & Case LLP
    Private Equity
    2025 | Band 3 | 12 Years Ranked

    White & Case leads multi-jurisdictional transactions from offices across Europe. Utilising its broad reach, the law firm frequently handles matters in the Nordic region, as well as bringing together teams in London, Poland and Germany to advise on acquisitions, financings and sale processes. The law firm's clients include sovereign wealth funds and family offices, in addition to private equity firms and alternative credit providers.

4

Band 4

  1. CMS
    4
    CMS
    Private Equity
    2025 | Band 4 | 9 Years Ranked
    CMS is recognised as a highly active mid-market European private equity practice. The law firm benefits from an on-the-ground presence in several CEE jurisdictions, which facilitates the coordination of transactions involving target companies with operations across the region. Clients also benefit from a top venture capital offering in Germany. CMS is often active in transactions involving the life sciences and technology sectors.
  2. DLA Piper LLP
    4
    DLA Piper LLP
    Private Equity
    2025 | Band 4 | 8 Years Ranked
    DLA Piper is highly regarded for its notable offering in London, well reputed in particular for its mid-market capabilities. It has further key branches in Spain and Poland. The law firm handles portfolio company acquisitions and growth investments in a range of sectors, including real estate, consumer goods and healthcare.
  3. Goodwin
    4
    Goodwin
    Private Equity
    2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Goodwin has a notable private equity presence in the UK and France. The law firm has a notable mid-market offering, advising investment funds and international private equity houses on investments in the tech and life sciences sectors. The lawyers are active in buyouts and exits, as well as financing.
5

Band 5

  1. A&O Shearman
    5
    A&O Shearman
    Private Equity
    2025 | Band 5 | 4 Years Ranked

    A&O Shearman offers clients a strong private equity practice, with particular strength in its offices in the UK, France and Spain. The law firm acts for prominent international investment funds on international acquisitions and divestments in the automotive, engineering and professional services sectors. Lawyers in the team assist with leveraged buyouts, financings and auction processes.

  2. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
    5
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
    Private Equity
    2025 | Band 5 | 2 Years Ranked

    Willkie Farr & Gallagher utilises its growing offering in the UK, Germany and France to advise on high-value matters. The law firm counts investors in Europe and the US among its clients, handling cross-border acquisitions and investment deals. Its expertise spans the TMT and healthcare sectors.