What is the world coming to when Ashurst – of all firms – pulls off a deal that is both globally transformative (for it) and hugely illustrative of the current shifts in the international market? True, you wouldn’t necessarily know the deal carries that much weight from the initial reaction. That’s largely due to the novel structure used to bind the two firms, which has left rivals somewhat nonplussed.
And then there’s the sheer bloody oddness of a union between a large Australian practice and Ashurst – two beasts which recent experience clearly indicates have great capacity to flirt with the big deal and precious little to consummate matters. Until now.
