Sometimes law firms make it hard for themselves. Take Ashurst, which has been looking well off its game for over a year now without an obvious cause for its malaise. The firm argues that there is nothing wrong with its strategy or performance relative to its peer group –and it is largely right.
Likewise, its belief that it belongs in a club of premium, internationally-credible firms alongside Herbert Smith and a dozen or so US practices – and that this will be a good place to be as the market evolves – is broadly correct, even if Ashurst will have hustle over the coming years to remain in that select company.
