Perkins Coie, Ashurst to merge

Seattle-based Perkins Coie and London-based Ashurst announced Monday they plan to merge as Ashurst Perkins Coie, creating a top-20 global firm with about 3,000 lawyers in 52 offices across 23 countries.

The deal would marry Perkins Coie LLP's tech-sector footprint and U.S. corporate practice with Ashurst's international platform and strengths in energy, infrastructure and financial services. The combined firm will anchor major hubs in Seattle, London, Sydney and New York.

Bill Malley and Paul Jenkins will be global co-CEOs. Karen Davies (Ashurst) and Brian Eiting (Perkins Coie) will be co-chairs. Mark Birnbaum will continue as Perkins Coie Executive Committee chair through closing.

"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," Malley said in a statement. "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."

Jenkins said Ashurst has long aimed to expand in the United States with "the right partner."

"We have now found that partner -- Perkins Coie is an ambitious, forward-thinking law firm meeting its clients at the forefront of technological change," he said in a statement. "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."

Davies said the combination positions the firm to address "more complex, global issues" and growing client demand for integrated service.

"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," she stated.

Perkins Coie's key practices include technology, corporate, litigation, intellectual property, privacy, fintech, environmental law and life sciences. Ashurst adds cross-border transactional, energy, infrastructure, financial services and real estate capabilities. Both firms have recently invested in AI and other technology systems and said the combined platform will expand those tools to enhance client service.

The merger needs partner approval from both firms and is subject to standard closing conditions. Perkins Coie's California offices are in Los Angeles, Palo Alto, San Diego and San Francisco.