Ashurst hit by senior ECM exits as two partners join Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie is bringing in senior Ashurst capital markets duo Simon Bullock and Stuart Rubin as partners in its corporate finance team in London, strengthening the firm’s ECM capability as it says market conditions pick up in the City.

Bullock previously served as head of equity capital markets in London and Rubin as global head of US securities at Ashurst. Both are long-serving Ashurst partners: Bullock joined as a trainee in 2006 and Rubin arrived from Willkie in 2007.

Their work covers IPOs, secondaries, block trades and restructurings, advising investment banks, growth companies and boards.

At Baker McKenzie, they will reunite with former Ashurst corporate partner Nick Bryans - now head of corporate finance in London - who joined the firm in 2019.

Their departures mark another senior loss from Ashurst’s ECM practice. In October, Pinsent Masons hired Nicholas Holmes, a veteran corporate partner who led Ashurst’s ECM team for many years.

The moves also come in the same week Ashurst announced a long-awaited transatlantic merger with US firm Perkins Coie in a tie-up that's expected to complete next year.

London expansion for Bakers

Baker McKenzie has been active in the City lateral market this year. Recent hires include M&A partner Helen Johnson from CMS, PE real estate partner Mark Thompson from Mishcon, fund partner Nick Benson from Latham, and tax partner Sam Trowbridge from Kirkland.

Bullock and Rubin will join in the new year.

What they said

London head of corporate finance, Nick Bryans, said: "I have known them both for many years and know first-hand that they are both top-rated equity capital markets lawyers who will not only strengthen our offering to our clients here in the UK but will also have an impact across our global network."

Bryans added: "With market conditions in London looking more positive than they have for many years, the timing could not be better and I am really looking forward to welcoming them to the team."

London managing partner Ed Poulton added: "Our Transactional Practices in London have seen exponential growth over the past year and Simon and Stuart will be excellent additions to the team."