Fried Frank election promises green light for Ashursts

Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson has elected new co-managing partners as it teeters on the brink of a potential merger with Ashurst Morris Crisp.
Valerie Ford Jacobs, head of the firm’s capital markets group, and corporate partner Paul Reinstein will replace the current incumbents Peter Cobb and Michael Rauch from 1 March.
The move is the clearest indication yet that the talks between Ashursts and Fried Frank are nearing a conclusion. Ford Jacobs is believed to be a keen supporter of a UK tie-up and has been instrumental in spearheading the negotiations with Ashursts.