Perkins Coie and Ashurst have announced plans to merge and create Ashurst Perkins Coie, a top-20 global law firm with $2.7 billion in combined revenue and a team of 3,000 lawyers. The proposed combination, described by both firms as a union of equals, is expected to establish one of the largest global legal platforms with deep strength across technology, energy and infrastructure, financial services, corporate transactions, and complex litigation.
The firms said the combined entity will deliver a fully integrated global practice with 52 offices across 23 countries, anchored by hubs in Seattle, London, Sydney, and New York. Additional major financial centers, including Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Paris, Seoul, Shenzhen, Singapore, and Tokyo, will further expand the firm’s reach.
With both organizations maintaining strong financial performance in recent years, the firms emphasized that the merged platform will amplify their investment in advanced technology and AI. Ashurst Perkins Coie is positioning itself as an industry leader in legal innovation, with a stated goal of transforming legal service delivery and helping clients adopt AI solutions to accelerate their business growth.
Leadership of the combined firm will include Global Co-CEOs Bill Malley and Paul Jenkins, with Karen Davies and Brian Eiting serving as Co-Chairs. Perkins Coie’s Mark Birnbaum, whose current term expires at the end of 2025, will continue as Chair of the Executive Committee through the closing of the combination.
The firms highlighted their complementary strengths: Perkins Coie’s expertise in technology, corporate, litigation, IP, privacy, fintech, environmental, and life sciences, paired with Ashurst’s global transactional capabilities and sector depth in energy, infrastructure, financial services, and real estate.
The combination is expected to significantly expand client service capabilities, offering seamless cross-border support to multinational companies navigating increasingly complex regulatory, economic, and technological environments. More than 450 of the combined firm’s lawyers are recognized by Chambers and Partners, ranking the firm fourth globally for total ranked lawyers.
Completion of the merger remains subject to customary closing requirements, including a partner vote at each firm. Additional details are available at www.firmoftomorrow.com.
KEY QUOTES
“Perkins Coie has a proud history of partnering with the world’s most innovative companies, helping them grow, and growing alongside them, which has underpinned our strong financial performance in recent years.”
“Today, our clients face challenges and opportunities that are not only global but also increasingly complex. To meet this moment, we must strengthen our ability to deliver trusted legal guidance seamlessly across borders.”
“Ashurst complements our geographic reach and capabilities and shares our ambition to build a firm defined by ingenuity and collaboration. Together, we will combine resources and expertise to accelerate growth and set new standards for world-class legal service.”
Bill Malley, Firm Managing Partner, Perkins Coie
“Our ambition for many years has been to grow in the U.S. with the right partner: a firm with deep, trusted expertise that complements our own.”
“We have now found that partner – 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.”
“With Ashurst’s established global presence and sector expertise, and both firms’ reputations for challenging the status quo, I am confident Ashurst Perkins Coie will be a leading advisor across the key industries – technology, energy and infrastructure, and financial services – which are shaping the future of the global economy.”
Paul Jenkins, Global CEO, Ashurst
“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.”
Karen Davies, Global Chair, Ashurst
“For more than 100 years we have looked to the future, constantly adapting to change, and helping our clients 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.”
Mark Birnbaum, Chair, Firmwide Executive Committee, Perkins Coie
