Ashurst has announced plans to combine with Perkins Coie to form Ashurst Perkins Coie, a top 20 global law firm built for the future.
This combination of equals unites two elite firms with highly complementary geographic footprints, capabilities, and cultures to create a globally integrated firm with deep sector and practice expertise that is relentlessly focused on the success of its clients.
Perkins Coie brings leading technology sector capability and deep corporate, litigation, and intellectual property expertise, along with highly-regarded privacy, fintech, environmental, and life sciences practices.
Ashurst, known for excellence in legal innovation, has an established global presence with strength in complex cross-border transactions and expertise in the energy and infrastructure, financial services, and real estate sectors.
Ashurst Perkins Coie will be a top 20 law firm globally, with 3,000 lawyers, US$2.7 billion in revenue, and over 300 years of shared history. Their footprint will span 52 offices in 23 countries, with flagship hubs in Seattle, London, Sydney, and New York, and a presence in major business centers including Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Paris, Seoul, Shenzhen, Singapore, and Tokyo.
Both Perkins Coie and Ashurst have delivered strong financial performance in recent years that each has leveraged to invest in industry-leading technology and AI systems that enhance their advisory capabilities.
Ashurst Perkins Coie, with the combined financial strength of both firms, will leverage the power of AI to transform the practice of law and help clients harness it effectively to accelerate their growth.
Ashurst Perkins Coie will be led by Bill Malley and Paul Jenkins as Global Co-CEOs, ensuring continuity of leadership as the combined firm enters its next phase of growth. Karen Davies of Ashurst and Brian Eiting of Perkins Coie will be Co-Chairs of the combined firm. Mark Birnbaum, the current Chair of Perkins Coie’s Executive Committee, whose regular term expires at the end of 2025, will continue serving in that role through closing.
Bill Malley, Managing Partner at Perkins Coie said-
“Ashurst brings a global presence that complements our reach and brings recognized strength in the energy and infrastructure and financial services sectors. They share our ambition to build a firm defined by ingenuity and collaboration. Together, we will combine our expertise to accelerate growth and set new standards for world-class legal service.”
Paul Jenkins, Global CEO of Ashurst said-
“Perkins Coie is an ambitious, forward-thinking law firm meeting its clients at the forefront of technological change. At a time of rapid transformation and strategic complexity, we are excited by this unique opportunity to launch a truly differentiated global law firm for our clients and our people.”
Karen Davies, Global Chair, Ashurst, said:
“As clients face more complex, global issues, the demand for truly integrated legal solutions has never been greater. This combination positions us to meet this demand head-on. Clients want us to think and act globally, and uniting with Perkins Coie, a firm that shares our values and collaborative culture, to create a firm with an even greater breadth of capabilities and deeper client relationships, is exciting.
Beyond our complementary capabilities and geographies, we have both grown largely organically and are proud of the histories of our two firms, our unique geographic roots, and our likeminded cultures and people. We are a truly global firm that has guided our clients through generational change, risk, and opportunity. This combination allows us to bring the best of both firms to every matter, significantly strengthening our ability to meet our combined clients’ needs on a global scale, and creating new opportunities for our people.”
Mark Birnbaum, Chair, Firmwide Executive Committee, Perkins Coie, said-
“For more than 100 years we have looked to the future, constantly adapting to change, and helping our xlients do the same. This combination is the next evolution of that, bringing together two forward-thinking firms into a truly global platform that will stay ahead of change.”
