Ashurst and Perkins Coie plan a global merger to form a 3,000-lawyer, $2.7bn firm next year
Ashurst and US firm Perkins Coie have announced plans to merge, creating a new global law firm that will operate under the name Ashurst Perkins Coie. If approved, the combination will establish a legal practice with around 3,000 lawyers across 52 offices in 23 countries. Both firms expect the merged entity to generate approximately $2.7bn (£2.05bn) in revenue when the structure goes live next year.
The planned merger follows a series of major transatlantic combinations within the legal sector. Allen & Overy merged with Shearman & Sterling in 2023 to form A&O Shearman, while Herbert Smith Freehills completed its combination with Kramer Levin earlier this year. The proposed Ashurst–Perkins Coie merger reflects a continued trend of UK and US firms joining forces to consolidate global reach and expand sector coverage.
Ashurst brings established strength in cross-border transactional work, as well as capabilities in energy, infrastructure and financial services. Perkins Coie contributes recognised expertise in technology, intellectual property, litigation and fintech. Both firms have emphasised their shared focus on artificial intelligence and innovation, saying the merger would align complementary practice areas and client bases.
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The announcement also follows recent developments for Perkins Coie in the United States. The firm challenged an executive order issued in March by the US President relating to its prior representation of Hillary Clinton. Perkins Coie succeeded in that challenge, although the government has confirmed it will appeal the ruling. The firms did not provide further comment on the matter in the merger announcement.
The new firm will not adopt a single headquarters. Instead, Ashurst Perkins Coie will operate through a system of flagship hubs in cities including London, Seattle, New York and Sydney. Ashurst has maintained a significant presence in Australia since its 2010 merger with Blake Dawson.
Training arrangements have not yet been detailed. Ashurst currently offers 38 training contracts annually in London, while Perkins Coie’s London trainee intake is described as low-key, typically involving around four contracts per year. Ashurst’s newly qualified solicitors are paid £140,000, while Perkins Coie is understood to pay at a higher market rate. No statement has been made about future trainee numbers or salaries within the combined firm.
Leadership of the new firm is set to be shared. Perkins Coie’s Bill Malley and Ashurst’s Paul Jenkins will act as global co-chief executives.
Malley said the US firm had built “a proud history of partnering with the world’s most innovative companies”, and described Ashurst as a partner with aligned ambitions. He said both firms would combine resources and expertise “to accelerate growth and set new standards for world-class legal service”.
Jenkins said Ashurst had long aimed to expand with “the right partner” in the United States. He described Perkins Coie as an “ambitious, forward-thinking law firm” operating at the forefront of technological change. Jenkins added that the combination of Ashurst’s global footprint and both firms’ established reputations positioned the merged entity to advise clients in key industries that influence the global economy.
The merger remains subject to partner approval and standard closing conditions. Completion is expected in autumn 2026. Until the deal is finalised, both firms will continue to operate independently.