Finance
Law firms Ashurst, Perkins Coie agree merger to create global top-20 outfit
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on November 17, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Global Banking & Finance Review®
Company
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on November 17, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Ashurst and Perkins Coie announce a merger to create a top 20 global law firm, combining 3,000 lawyers and $2.7 billion in revenue.
LONDON (Reuters) -London-headquartered law firm Ashurst and U.S.-based Perkins Coie on Monday announced they have agreed a merger which would create a combined firm of 3,000 lawyers with $2.7 billion in revenue, putting it in the top 20 worldwide.
The announcement, first reported by the Financial Times, marks the latest major transatlantic merger of law firms in recent years, part of a move toward consolidation as firms seek scale to compete across major markets and practice areas.
Ashurst and Perkins Coie said they had agreed a "combination of equals" with 52 offices in 23 countries.
Ashurst's global CEO Paul Jenkins said in a statement that "our ambition for many years has been to grow in the U.S. with the right partner".
Perkins Coie's managing partner Bill Malley similarly said that "Ashurst complements our geographic reach", adding that "we must strengthen our ability to deliver trusted legal guidance seamlessly across borders".
Jenkins and Malley will be global co-CEOs of the new firm, which will be called Ashurst Perkins Coie.
The firms said the proposed merger is subject to approval by a vote of partners at each firm and, if approved, is expected to be completed in late 2026.
The merger follows similar agreements between British and U.S. firms, following the deal between Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin, which was announced last year, and the Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling tie-up announced in 2023.
($1 = 0.7590 pounds)
(Reporting by Sam Tobin; Editing by Toby Chopra)
A merger is a business combination where two companies join to form a new entity, often to enhance competitiveness, expand market reach, or achieve operational efficiencies.
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law, providing legal services to clients.
A transatlantic merger refers to the combination of companies based in North America and Europe, facilitating cross-border business operations and market expansion.
Legal services encompass a range of professional services provided by lawyers, including advice, representation, and documentation related to legal matters.
A CEO, or Chief Executive Officer, is the highest-ranking executive in a company, responsible for making major corporate decisions and managing overall operations.
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