Ashurst Perkins Coie Appointed New Americas Business Lead
The firm tapped a veteran strategist to oversee U.S. business development and client growth efforts.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in People
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Ashurst Perkins Coie named David Byrne as its new Chief Business Development Officer for the Americas. Based in Chicago, Byrne will now lead the regional business development team for the 52-office firm.
Why it matters
The appointment signals a push to centralize client and market strategy across the firm’s U.S. operations. By aligning regional leadership with its global structure, the firm aims to optimize engagement for its 3,500 client-facing practitioners.
David Byrne joins the firm with 25 years of industry experience, overseeing business development for a practice that spans 52 offices and 3,500 client-facing professionals globally. The specific organizational budget allocated to his regional team remains unknown.
The players
David Byrne
The newly appointed Chief Business Development Officer for the Americas who previously held a global strategy director role at a law firm.
Adam Soames
The firm's Global Chief Business Development Officer to whom Byrne reports.
Ashurst Perkins Coie
A global law firm maintaining 52 offices and a workforce of 3,500 client-facing practitioners.
The details
In his new role, Byrne is tasked with advancing the firm’s global client strategy throughout the United States. He will report directly to Adam Soames, the firm's Global Chief Business Development Officer, to ensure that regional marketing and growth initiatives remain consistent with the firm's international standards. Byrne will operate out of the Chicago office to coordinate these efforts.
Timeline
October 7, 2026: Appointment of David Byrne was announced.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows a broader professional services trend of centralizing business development and marketing strategy at the executive level. It reflects the increasing need for large firms to standardize client-facing operations as they manage global footprints.
Operators in professional services should monitor how this new leadership layer changes the firm’s approach to client acquisition and market positioning. Watch for adjustments in how the firm communicates its value proposition to prospective corporate clients in the Midwest market.
The takeaway
Large firms are increasingly prioritizing executive-level business development to manage the complexity of global operations and client strategy. Leaders should evaluate whether their own scaling efforts require a similar central role to align marketing and client retention goals.
Further reading
For broader insight into leadership shifts, see our coverage of People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Globallegalchronicle.
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