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Lawyers Weekly is thrilled to unveil – exclusively for subscribers of Lawyers Weekly Premium – the second annual M&A Dealmakers ranking, showcasing the best-performing M&A dealmakers Down Under over the past year.
This one-of-a-kind ranking, now in its second year, champions the top-performing mergers and acquisitions dealmakers across the country who have gone above and beyond for their clients and achieved phenomenal results during FY2025–26.
According to the 2026 iteration of the M&A Dealmakers ranking, the top 30 dealmakers of Australia made an average of 4.5 deals. The average value of these transactions totalled $11.001 billion in FY25–26.
The top 20 dealmakers advised on an average of 5.8 deals during this period, with the average transaction value totalling $15.62 billion.
The top 10 dealmakers stood above their peers, advising on 6.8 deals on average, which came to a staggering $22.99 billion in average transaction value.
These results are particularly impressive given the complex environment in which M&A lawyers have been operating. As 2026 unfolds, dealmakers continue to navigate geopolitical tensions, shifting trade policies, economic uncertainty, and ongoing pressure on valuations.
Global political and economic volatility has made it increasingly difficult for businesses to agree on deal pricing and for investors to assess potential returns. While expectations of a post-election surge in corporate activity followed Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency, policy uncertainty and evolving trade dynamics have complicated dealmaking, reinforcing the need for careful due diligence, sophisticated structuring and strategic legal advice.
In Australia, M&A activity continues to be shaped by domestic economic conditions, inflation, interest rates and regulatory developments, alongside renewed opportunities for investment. Despite these headwinds, Australia remains an attractive destination for international capital, with investor confidence, policy settings and opportunities across key sectors helping to influence deal activity.
Against this backdrop, leading M&A lawyers play a critical role in translating commercial ambition into successful transactions. Their expertise extends beyond negotiating and executing deals to managing risk, navigating regulatory complexity, and helping clients respond to rapidly changing market conditions.
The top five dealmakers made 46 deals between them, with the quintet averaging a combined $27.78 billion each. Ashurst Perkins Coie partner Neil Pathak topped the ranking, having made 12 deals worth $39.53 billion during FY25–26.
Clayton Utz co-head of international and head of corporate M&A, Rory Moriarty, closed the highest number of deals (among the top 30), at 13, amassing a total value of $31.39 billion.
The top five dealmakers in the 2026 ranking are:
Click here to view the full M&A Dealmakers 2026 ranking.
Lawyers Weekly managing editor Jerome Doraisamy congratulated all the top M&A Dealmakers of 2026, emphasising the importance of recognising the often-unsung legal professionals whose strategic advice and commercial insight can significantly influence the quality, efficiency, and success of a transaction.
“These dealmakers must balance competing priorities, navigate complex negotiations and keep multiple stakeholders aligned to help ensure transactions deliver the best possible outcomes for their clients,” he said.
“Their role extends well beyond conducting due diligence and developing negotiation strategies to secure favourable terms. M&A lawyers must also identify and manage legal and commercial risks, anticipate regulatory challenges, coordinate stakeholders, establish realistic expectations, and, where required, support clients through post-merger integration.
“The top 30 dealmakers have excelled across these responsibilities, demonstrating exceptional expertise and commitment while consistently going above and beyond for their clients. Their achievements throughout the 2026 financial year reflect their ability to deliver results in a complex and evolving dealmaking environment.
“These legal professionals have set a high benchmark for excellence, not only in mergers and acquisitions but across the Australian legal profession. Their achievements deserve recognition for the vital role they play in helping businesses navigate change, pursue growth and realise strategic opportunities.”
The ranking was determined based on a rigorous methodology using two key metrics: total value of advised deals and total number of advised deals between July 2025 and June 2026. All data were verified by Momentum Media to ensure accuracy. In each submission, every entrant was asked to upload the deal information and verification template provided, clearly outlining details of each individual deal advised on during FY25–26.
