Ashurst LLP
| Company type | LLP |
|---|---|
| Industry | Legal services |
| Founded | 1822 |
| Founder | William H. Ashurst, John Morris, Sir Frank Crisp |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Area served | Asia, Australia, Europe, Middle East, North America |
Key people | Charlie Geffen (Senior Partner), Simon Bromwich (Managing Partner) |
| Products | Legal services (mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, structured finance, investment funds, antitrust, energy, transport and infrastructure, intellectual property, IT, dispute resolution, financial services, taxation, real estate, regulatory compliance, telecommunications, employment law) |
Number of employees | 2820 (2012) |
| Website | www |
Ashurst is a global law firm based in London, United Kingdom. It maintains a network of 31 offices spanning 15 countries beyond the UK, covering regions such as Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. The firm employs more than 1,600 legal professionals. In terms of revenue, Ashurst ranks 55th worldwide and is positioned 6th among UK law firms, with earnings reaching £961 million.
The firm's primary areas of expertise include mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, and structured finance. Additionally, Ashurst provides specialized services in fields such as investment funds, antitrust, energy, transport and infrastructure, intellectual property, information technology, dispute resolution, financial services, taxation, real estate, regulatory compliance, telecommunications, and employment law.
Ashurst Morris Crisp
Established in 1822 at 6 Old Jewry within the City of London, the original firm Ashurst Morris Crisp was founded by William H. Ashurst, John Morris, and Sir Frank Crisp.
Growth and Financial Crisis
Following its rebranding to Ashurst LLP in 2003, the firm encountered profitability challenges compared to competitors and faced potential reductions in personnel. In response, a 2004 strategy was implemented to reward high-performing lawyers with additional bonuses during this cautious phase. Leadership under senior partner Geoffrey Green and managing partner Simon Bromwich enhanced governance through proactive partner involvement and strategic personnel adjustments. The firm bolstered its core M&A practice by cultivating stronger ties with investment banks and resolving issues related to the quality of its international networks, supported by robust performance in its finance division. By 2007, partner earnings had significantly increased, with leading partners earning over £1 million, securing Ashurst’s position within the top ten most profitable UK law firms.
In 2008, corporate law specialist Charlie Geffen replaced Geoffrey Green as senior partner following an internal election against litigator Ed Sparrow. The credit crunch of 2007 and the subsequent economic downturn negatively affected Ashurst’s main practice areas, resulting in declines in both profits and revenues. Nevertheless, the firm managed a swift recovery with financial improvements soon after.
Combination with Blake Dawson
In 2011, Ashurst achieved solid financial growth with profit per partner rising by 5% to £723,000 and overall revenue increasing by 3.5% to £303 million. By mid-2011, the firm employed over 900 lawyers—including more than 200 partners—across operations in 12 countries.
On 1 March 2012, Ashurst integrated its Asian operations with Australian law firm Blake Dawson—recognized as one of Australia’s prestigious Big Six firms—and rebranded all offices under the Ashurst name.
Blake Dawson traces its origins to Melbourne in 1841 when James Hunter Ross founded his practice. In 1874, it adopted the name Blake & Riggall, which remained for over a century. Separately, Dawson Waldron was established in Sydney by George Charles King Waldron in 1881. Both firms were influential within Victoria and New South Wales legal markets, offering significant commercial, litigation, and property services to clients including corporations, banks, mining enterprises, and pastoral businesses.
The creation of Blake Dawson Waldron occurred in 1988 through the merger of Blake & Riggall (Melbourne and Brisbane), Dawson Waldron (Sydney, Canberra, Singapore), Collison Hunt & Richardson (Perth), and McCubbery Train Love and Thomas (Port Moresby). This consolidation connected key Australian commercial hubs with Asia-Pacific regions. Subsequent expansions added offices in Jakarta (1988), Shanghai (1995), and Singapore (2009).
Following this merger, Ashurst now employs approximately 1,600 lawyers supported by a total staff of around 2,820 across 24 global offices. The combined entity generates revenues exceeding £550 million. This union broadened Ashurst’s footprint into cities such as Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Jakarta, Melbourne, Perth, Port Moresby, Shanghai, and Sydney—enhancing its expertise within the sectors of energy & resources, infrastructure, and financial services.
External links
- Official Ashurst website
- Featured profiles in the Chambers Student Guide, as well as on the archived RollOnFriday and Cambridge University Law Society platforms
- Details on the Ashurst – Blake Dawson merger