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Ashurst Perkins Coie Hires Ben Plotnik As Partner To Expand Global Private Capital Funds Practice

Reported by Pulse2
Sep 19, 2026· 2 min read
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Key Takeaways
  • • Ashurst Perkins Coie appoints Ben Plotnik as Partner in its Corporate practice, based in Melbourne, to accelerate growth of the firm's global private capital funds practice.
  • • Plotnik brings over 20 years of experience advising private equity, venture capital, and alternative asset sponsors and institutional investors, joining from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer.
  • • The hire strengthens Ashurst Perkins Coie's corporate and private capital capabilities, expanding the firm's M&A and funds practice across its global platform.
  • • Plotnik's appointment represents a strategic lateral hire from a major rival firm to enhance the firm's competitive positioning in the private funds market.
Summary
Ashurst Perkins Coie has announced the appointment of Ben Plotnik as a Partner in its Corporate practice, with a base in Melbourne. The hire is designed to accelerate the growth of the firm's global private capital funds practice and strengthen its competitive capabilities in the alternative asset management sector.

Plotnik joins Ashurst Perkins Coie from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, where he served as a special counsel. He brings more than 20 years of experience advising private equity sponsors, venture capital firms, and alternative asset managers, as well as institutional investors navigating complex transactions and fund structures. His expertise spans corporate law, M&A, and private funds practice, positioning him as a senior addition to the firm's Melbourne office and global platform.

The appointment reflects Ashurst Perkins Coie's strategic effort to expand its capabilities in the competitive private capital landscape. By recruiting an established funds specialist from a rival top-tier firm, Ashurst Perkins Coie is signaling its commitment to building deeper expertise in serving private equity, venture capital, and alternative investment sponsors—sectors where institutional capital flows and fund formation activity remain robust.

This lateral hire is part of a broader trend among global law firms competing to attract senior practitioners from rival practices to strengthen their market positions in high-growth practice areas. For institutional investors and alternative asset managers, such moves often signal a law firm's capacity and focus in serving the private capital ecosystem.

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Sources

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Pulse2 Ashurst Perkins Coie Hires Ben Plotnik As Partner To Expand Global Private Capital Funds Practice