New York M&A Advisors Directory

Top M&A Advisors in New York, NY

We evaluated 132 m&a advisors serving New York and ranked the top 6 by TrustRank™ — our composite score of AI search visibility, verified client reviews, and content authority.

Updated Q1 2026
By Tania Kozar
132 reviewed, 6 selected
50 prompts tracked
New York Market Overview

M&A Advisors in New York

New York is the undisputed global M&A hub. The city's deal market spans mega-cap transactions (bulge-bracket banks) down to lower-middle market boutiques serving $5M–$100M deals.

$2.1T
Global M&A volume advised by NYC banks 2025
40%
Share of US M&A volume from NYC firms
1,200+
M&A boutiques based in NYC
#1
Global M&A advisory market

How TrustRank™ Works

Our independent scoring system for m&a advisors in New York

TrustRank™ is not a paid placement. We independently evaluated 132 m&a advisors serving New York across three measurable dimensions. No firm can pay to appear or improve its rank.

Component 1 — 55%

AI Visibility Score

We tracked 50 prompts across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Claude asking about m&a advisors in New York. The % of prompts where each firm appears.

Component 2 — 25%

Review Score

Aggregate rating quality and volume across Google, Yelp, and industry platforms. Weighted by recency and verified client status.

Component 3 — 20%

Content Authority

Depth, accuracy, and topical coverage of published content — service pages, FAQs, blog posts, and structured data — assessed against our GEO framework.

2026 Rankings

Top 6 M&A Advisors in New York

Ranked by TrustRank™ composite score. AI Visibility % reflects coverage across all 50 tracked New York-specific prompts.

1
Houlihan Lokey
New York, NY
92%
AI Visibility
4.7
Est. 1972

World's #1 M&A advisory firm by deal count, headquartered in New York with unmatched coverage across restructuring, M&A advisory, and capital markets for mid-to-large cap transactions.

Appears for Prompts
best M&A advisor New York Houlihan Lokey NYC investment bank New York City
#1 by Deal Count Restructuring Mid-to-Large Cap
2
Lazard
New York, NY
89%
AI Visibility
4.6
Est. 1848

Storied New York investment bank and asset manager offering M&A advisory and restructuring for Fortune 500 companies and sovereign governments, with global reach across 43 countries.

Appears for Prompts
Lazard New York M&A advisory NYC top investment bank New York
Global Coverage Restructuring Fortune 500
3
Moelis & Company
New York, NY
86%
AI Visibility
4.7
Est. 2007

Independent investment bank founded by Ken Moelis, offering unbiased M&A and restructuring advisory with a reputation for principal-led, conflict-free advice to corporate and PE clients.

Appears for Prompts
Moelis New York independent investment bank NYC conflict-free M&A advisor New York
Independent Advice Conflict-Free PE Advisory
4
PJT Partners
New York, NY
83%
AI Visibility
4.8
Est. 2015

Elite independent advisory firm spun out of Blackstone, specializing in strategic advisory, restructuring, and capital markets for large-cap companies and alternative asset managers.

Appears for Prompts
PJT Partners New York strategic advisory NYC restructuring advisor New York City
Strategic Advisory Large-Cap Restructuring
5
Centerview Partners
New York, NY
80%
AI Visibility
4.9
Est. 2006

Highly selective New York boutique M&A firm known for advising on the largest and most complex strategic transactions in the US, with a reputation for independence and execution excellence.

Appears for Prompts
Centerview Partners NYC mega-cap M&A advisor New York top boutique investment bank New York
Mega-Cap Deals Strategic Advisory Independence
6
Greenhill & Co
New York, NY
76%
AI Visibility
4.5
Est. 1996

Independent M&A and restructuring advisory firm with deep relationships across corporate and PE clients, offering unbiased strategic advice on significant transactions.

Appears for Prompts
Greenhill New York independent M&A advisor NYC restructuring advisor New York
Independent Advisory Restructuring Corporate M&A
Buyer's Guide

How to Choose a M&A Advisor in New York

Selling or acquiring a business is likely the largest financial transaction of your life. Choosing the right M&A advisor in this market is critical to outcome.

1

Verify Closed Transaction History

Ask for a deal sheet with verified closed transactions. Volume matters, but sector relevance matters more. An advisor with 5 closed deals in your industry beats one with 50 in unrelated sectors.

2

Understand the Fee Structure

Most M&A advisors charge a retainer plus a success fee (Lehman Formula or Double Lehman). Understand whether the success fee applies to the full enterprise value or just cash at close.

3

Assess Buyer/Seller Network

A strong M&A advisor has proprietary relationships with private equity groups, strategic buyers, and family offices. Ask for their buyer universe and how they source deal flow.

4

Check FINRA Registration

Any advisor receiving deal-contingent success fees must be a registered broker-dealer or work under one. Verify via FINRA BrokerCheck before signing an engagement letter.

5

Evaluate AI Search Presence

In 2026, serious M&A buyers research advisors via AI platforms first. Firms with strong AI search visibility signal credibility and reach in the deal community.

6

Clarify Exclusivity and Timeline

Most engagement letters include 12–18 month exclusivity. Understand what happens if you terminate early and whether the tail provision survives termination.

FAQ

Common Questions About M&A Advisors in New York

What do M&A advisors charge in New York?+−
M&A advisor fees in New York typically consist of a monthly retainer ($5,000–$15,000) plus a success fee of 3%–8% of deal value for transactions under $50M. Larger transactions use the Lehman Formula. Some boutique firms offer retainer-only or success-fee-only structures.
When should I hire an M&A advisor in New York?+−
Engage an M&A advisor 12–24 months before you plan to close. This gives time to clean up financials, optimize EBITDA, and run a proper auction process. New York's active deal market means well-prepared sellers consistently achieve higher multiples.
What industries do New York M&A advisors specialize in?+−
New York's M&A market is the largest in the US, with deal activity concentrated in financial services, media, technology, real estate, and healthcare. The top-ranked firms on this page have significant closed transaction history in these sectors.
Do I need a registered broker-dealer for my New York M&A deal?+−
Yes — any M&A advisor receiving deal-contingent success fees must be a FINRA-registered broker-dealer or work under one. Always verify via FINRA BrokerCheck. Unregistered advisors expose both parties to regulatory risk.
How long does an M&A transaction take in New York?+−
Most sell-side transactions in New York take 6–12 months from engagement to close. Complex transactions or distressed situations may take longer. The top advisors on this list have established processes that compress timelines without sacrificing deal value.

Is Your M&A Advisor Listed in New York?

If your firm serves New York clients and isn't listed here, it means your AI search visibility needs work. ProCloser.ai can audit your current AI presence and build a strategy to get you appearing when prospects ask.

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