The M&A Playbook for Regional Law Firms: Lawfront Buys Slater Heelis
Another smart move by Lawfront, as Slater Heelis is a first-class regional firm.
I remember meeting their managing partner, Chris Bishop, in Manchester a couple years ago—a decent man who totally gets culture in law firms.
In our recent survey on law firm M&A and Q4 Newsletter, we covered what they were doing in the market with other PE-backed firms.
I was unusually bold in saying, “My prediction is that we will see the major players in private equity continuing to use this playbook of making a law firm more valuable by buying platform firms with a clear “buy to build” strategy.”.
I got it right for a change, but being candid was an easy one to call.
Overall, we can see that consolidation in the legal sector is becoming a coherent and properly funded strategy, and as private equity steps up its investment, it is bound to gather more momentum, particularly around mid-sized law firms.
I am sure there will be further acquisitions by Lawfront, but more importantly, by other strategic players in this sector.
The obvious question is: What is their end game?
Definitely for another post!
Another smart move by Lawfront, as Slater Heelis is a first-class regional firm.
I remember meeting their managing partner, Chris Bishop, in Manchester a couple years ago—a decent man who totally gets culture in law firms.
In our recent survey on law firm M&A and Q4 Newsletter, we covered what they were doing in the market with other PE-backed firms.
I was unusually bold in saying, “My prediction is that we will see the major players in private equity continuing to use this playbook of making a law firm more valuable by buying platform firms with a clear “buy to build” strategy.”.
I got it right for a change, but being candid was an easy one to call.
Overall, we can see that consolidation in the legal sector is becoming a coherent and properly funded strategy, and as private equity steps up its investment, it is bound to gather more momentum, particularly around mid-sized law firms.
I am sure there will be further acquisitions by Lawfront, but more importantly, by other strategic players in this sector.
The obvious question is: What is their end game?
Definitely for another post!