AshurstsFried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson’s newly-appointed co-managing partner Valerie Ford Jacob is today (27 February) meeting the financial director of London suitor Ashurst Morris Crisp, Legal Week has established.

The meeting, the strongest indication yet that the two firms have reached due diligence on their nine-month merger talks, saw Ford Jacob meet with Ashursts’ financial director, Nigel Moorland, at the UK firm’s London offices.