Ahurst investigates entry into Australian market

Reports have emerged that UK firm Ashurst is investigating options for a presence in Australia, following in the fresh footprints laid down by Norton Rose, Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance and DLA Piper. The firm has held exploratory discussions about a possible tie-up with leading Australian law firm Blake Dawson, which could take the form of a formal alliance or a joint venture focused on the Asia and energy markets. Legal Week has advanced the view that a full-blown merger would be viewed as an unlikely goal given the size of both firms and Ashurst’s historic aversion to large mergers.

Ahurst investigates entry into Australian market legalweek.com Thu, Jun 30, 2011