Ashurst and Perkins Coie merger goes live, creating a 950-partner transatlantic firm with ~$2.8bn revenue
Ashurst Perkins Coie officially launched on 29 June 2026, combining the London-headquartered Ashurst with US firm Perkins Coie to create a transatlantic giant with approximately 3,500 lawyers, around 950 partners, and revenue of roughly $2.8 billion. The combined firm operates across more than 50 offices globally. Global co-CEO Paul Jenkins described the firm's ambition as becoming 'the leading global advisor to the companies shaping the future economy', with a stated focus on cross-border complexity and sector-specialised work. The merger positions the combined entity to compete directly with Magic Circle and elite US firms for large-cap transatlantic mandates, particularly in tech, private capital, and infrastructure sectors. No financial advisers or legal counsel on the combination itself are named in the sources.
Why this matters
A firm of this scale entering the transatlantic market reshapes the competitive landscape for Magic Circle and US firms recruiting in London. The $2.8bn revenue base and 50-office footprint creates genuine cross-border deal-flow capacity, particularly for private capital, tech M&A, and regulatory work. Law students targeting City firms should track whether the merged entity begins competing for mandates currently dominated by Linklaters, Freshfields, or Kirkland — the answer will determine lateral hiring patterns and trainee recruitment strategy over the next two years.
On the Ground
On a law firm combination of this type, a trainee would assist with integration workstreams including Companies House filings, matter-transfer documentation, and completion bible assembly for any legacy transactions migrating across the merged entity. Client conflict-check memos and engagement letter updates would also form part of the early post-merger compliance workload.
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“How does a transatlantic merger like Ashurst-Perkins Coie affect the competitive dynamics for Magic Circle firms recruiting trainees and laterals in London?”
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