Ashurst adds three-partner PE team from Goodwin in London

Ashurst has hired a three-partner private equity team from Goodwin in London.

Ian Keefe, Michael Miranda and George Weavil are joining the firm’s corporate practice, adding sponsor-side firepower as Ashurst looks to strengthen its private capital offering ahead of its planned merger with US firm Perkins Coie.

The hires come 18 months after Keefe and Weavil joined Goodwin from Travers Smith at the end of 2024. Miranda, meanwhile, spent a decade at the US firm.

PE in focus

Private equity has long been a core part of Ashurst’s identity, with the firm historically counted among the City’s leading advisers to sponsors before facing increased competition from aggressively expanding US rivals.

Jason Radford, Ashurst’s global head of corporate, said private capital remains a priority for the firm, with the trio expected to support work across the full lifecycle of sponsor-backed deals.

Global CEO Paul Jenkins said: “The European private equity market is entering a new phase of growth, as firms look to deploy capital in increasingly sophisticated transactions.

“This highly regarded trio strengthens our private capital capability and enhances our ability to deliver integrated, cross border advice at a time when it matters most for our clients.”

The move comes as competition for private equity talent in London remains intense, with firms on both sides of the Atlantic continuing to invest heavily in lateral hiring.

Goodwin itself has been active in the market, recently bringing in a three-partner private equity team from Paul Hastings, led by new European private equity chair Anu Balasubramanian.

Ashurst has also been building out its PE bench, including the hire of Amy Barker from Linklaters in November, where she stepped up to partner as part of the move.

Merger backdrop

The hires land as Ashurst prepares for its transatlantic merger with Perkins Coie, announced in November and expected to complete later this year, subject to a partner vote.

Once finalised, the combined firm - Ashurst Perkins Coie - is expected to rank among the world’s top 20 by revenue.