Ashurst and Perkins Coie merger gets green light from partners

Ashurst and Perkins Coie have secured partner approval for their proposed merger, clearing the way for one of the most closely watched transatlantic tie-ups in Big Law.

Both firms said their partnerships had voted overwhelmingly in favour of the deal, which is expected to complete in the third quarter of this year.

The merger, first announced in November, has been long-awaited for Ashurst, which has explored a US tie-up on several occasions over the past two decades.

Transatlantic scale

Once complete, the combined firm - known as Ashurst Perkins Coie - will have around 3,000 lawyers across more than 50 offices, with revenues of roughly $2.8 billion. That would place it among the world’s top 20 law firms by revenue.

The deal brings together complementary strengths. Perkins Coie, headquartered in Seattle, is best known for its work with tech giants such as Amazon and Microsoft and offers broad US coverage.

Ashurst, meanwhile, brings an established global platform with strengths in areas including energy and infrastructure, financial services and real estate.

The firms said: “Ashurst Perkins Coie will be defined by its strength in the technology, energy and infrastructure, and financial services sectors - industries at the centre of global economic transformation - alongside market-leading practices in complex transactions and litigation.”

Wave of deals

The merger is the latest in a wave of transatlantic combinations as firms look to build scale on both sides of the Atlantic.

Recent tie-ups include the 2024 merger between Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling, and Herbert Smith Freehills’ tie-up with Kramer which went live last year.

More are in the pipeline, with Hogan Lovells - itself the product of a transatlantic merger 15 years ago - preparing to merge with Cadwalader and Taylor Wessing’s combination with Winston & Strawn set to go live in May.