Ashurst Perkins Coie

Ashurst Perkins Coie is a global law firm formed in 2026 through the merger between historic City law firm Ashurst and US law firm Perkins Coie.

Legacy firm Ashurst was a leading UK law firm with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1822 in London. It is a member of the Silver Circle of law firms - a group of prestigious UK firms sitting just behind the Magic Circle.

The firm grew significantly over the last 15 years to become a major international law firm. It operates with over 1,900 lawyers, including more than 460 partners, spread across 31 offices in 18 countries.

The firm was originally founded in 1822 by William Henry Ashurst who went into partnership with William Henry Green a year later. In 1843, Ashurst decided to make his son (also William Henry) a partner and the firm became known as ‘Ashurst and Son’.

In the 1860s, John Morris became a partner and Sir Frank Crisp (who, incidentally, Beatle George Harrison would come to write a song about) also joined as a partner and the firm started operating under the name ‘Ashurst Morris Crisp’ which it would keep for the next 130 years.

The firm's client base grew steadily through the 20th century, acting for notable companies and financial institutions with a heavy focus on corporate work.

Ashurst Morris Crisp began to expand internationally in the 1980s and early 1990s with openings in key legal and financial centres, including Brussels, Paris, and Tokyo.

Back in the City, the firm was carving out a market-leading reputation for private equity work and was one of the first players to dominate the nascent market for advice to buyout firms.

The turn of the millennium was a period of change for Ashurst. In 2003, the firm rebranded, shortening its name to Ashurst. This period also saw further international expansion, with new offices opening in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Ashurst’s modern international strategy was set in 2013 with its merger with leading Australian firm Blake Dawson, then a member of the country’s 'Big Six'. The deal materially expanded Ashurst’s global footprint, particularly across Asia-Pacific, and positioned the firm as a genuinely international player.

For years afterwards, speculation persisted about whether the firm would complete that strategy with a long-anticipated US merger. That question was finally answered in November 2025, when Ashurst agreed to combine with US firm Perkins Coie.

The merger created a $2.8 billion firm, ranking among the world’s top 20 by revenue, operating across 52 offices in 23 countries. Branded Ashurst Perkins Coie, the deal cemented Ashurst’s long-sought foothold in the US legal market.

Perkins Coie, headquartered in Seattle and best known for its work with tech giants such as Amazon and Microsoft, brought sought-after US reach and deep tech sector expertise.

Traditionally known for its corporate work, today Ashurst Perkins Coie is also highly regarded for its work in the banking and finance sectors, including project finance, real estate finance, and restructuring and insolvency. The firm also has a strong reputation in the energy, resources, and infrastructure sector.