Law firms Dealwatch: Magic Circle lead on £5.2bn Aviva takeover of Friends Life Sarah Downey · 2 December 2014 · 2 min read Corporate and M&A A&O Shearman Clifford Chance Linklaters In one of the biggest deals the UK insurance sector has seen in years, Aviva‘s acquisition of Friends Life for £5.2bn has also gifted Magic Circle trio Linklaters, Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance with leading advisory roles.Your limit of 1 article in 30 days is up. Please login for full access or subscribe. Corporate users - click here for simple access (no password needed). For more information, please contact [email protected] Related ContentMore in this categoryClifford Chance overhauls partnership structure amid management bid to clear $5m PEPLaw firmsEliza Winter4 Jun 2026Five firms ordered in for Uber’s €10bn Delivery Hero bidLaw firmsKate Peacock2 Jun 2026Ex-A&O Shearman practice heads ditch big law to start boutique practices in EuropeLaw firmsKate Peacock29 May 2026Cadwalader London associates to keep higher New York pay rates after Hogan Lovells tie-upLaw firmsTom Cox4 Jun 2026Freshfields appoints M&A star as new US managing partnerLaw firmsWill Lewallen1 Jun 2026Revolving doors: Simpson Thacher, Latham, Sidley lead New Year London movesLaw firmsAnna Huntley9 Jan 2025‘Seize every opportunity’ – Paul Hastings partner Reena Gogna on City law, Suits and poetryLaw firmsAnna Huntley7 Jan 2025Five partners vie to succeed Hoyland as Simmons managing partnerLaw firmsTom Cox7 Jan 2025Former Freshfields senior partner among recipients in New Year Honours ListLaw firmsTom Cox2 Jan 2025