Baker McKenzie has recruited senior Ashurst partners Simon Bullock and Stuart Rubin in London, as the firm moves to capitalise on an expected upswing in capital markets in 2026.
Bullock is currently Ashurst’s London head of equity capital markets, while Rubin serves as global head of US securities. Both are veterans of the firm, the former joining as a trainee in 2006 and the latter moving from Willkie Farr & Gallagher the following year. Their practices cover IPOs, secondaries, block trades tender and exchange offers, as well as mergers, spin-offs and other corporate restructurings.
News of the duo’s defection came just days after Ashurst announced it would merge with US firm Perkins Coie, a $2.7bn combination that is expected to complete next year.
Last month, Ashurst also saw Nicholas Holmes, who led the firm’s ECM practice for many years and played a key role in building it into one of the best in the City, move to Pinsent Masons.
At Baker McKenzie, Bullock and Rubin will be partners in the corporate finance practice, led in London by former Ashurst colleague Nick Bryans, who moved over in 2019.
Bryans commented: “I’ve known them both for many years and know first-hand that they are top-rated equity capital markets lawyers who will not only strengthen our offering to our clients here in the UK but will also have an impact across our global network. With market conditions in London looking more positive than they have for many years, the timing could not be better.”
London managing partner, Ed Poulton, added: “Our transactional practices in London have seen exponential growth over the past year and Simon and Stuart will be excellent additions to the team.”
Bakers’ London office, which with more than 500 lawyers is the firm’s largest globally, has continued to add senior lawyers at pace this year. Ten partners have joined the office so far in 2025, among them M&A partner Helen Johnson from CMS, private equity real estate partner Mark Thompson from Mishcon de Reya and funds specialist Nick Benson from Latham & Watkins. Bullock and Rubin will join the firm in the new year.
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