Two major international law firms have announced a merger that will create one of the largest legal organizations in the world, combining more than 3,000 lawyers across 52 offices in 23 countries. The partnership between London-based Ashurst and U.S. firm Perkins Coie positions the newly unified entity among the world’s top 20 legal operations by revenue and geographic reach.
The combined firm brings together core practices in corporate law, complex litigation, technology, energy, and financial services. With offices spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, the group is structured to support global clients facing cross-border regulatory and commercial challenges, including rapid changes in artificial intelligence governance, cybersecurity, and international trade.
The merger reflects a growing consolidation trend across the legal industry as firms compete for multinational clients and navigate rising costs associated with talent, technology, and compliance. By pooling resources, Ashurst and Perkins Coie aim to increase operational efficiency, expand advisory services, and accelerate investments in digital systems and advanced legal-tech tools.
For partners and clients, the integration is expected to reshape competitive positioning in high-value practice areas such as M&A, data privacy, and large-scale infrastructure projects. Industry analysts say the move could prompt additional consolidation among rival firms seeking similar global scale, especially those with limited footprint in the United States or Asia.
The merger still requires regulatory and internal approvals, with full integration expected by late 2026. Leadership teams from both firms say they will prioritize culture alignment, technology migration, and unified branding over the next year. The legal sector will be watching closely to see how smoothly the transition unfolds — and how quickly the firm leverages its expanded platform to win market share.
