Acquira - Blogs #Buying a Law FirmAcquira - Blogs #Buying a Law Firmhttps://www.acquiraps.co.uk/blogs/tag/buying-a-law-firmTue, 28 Apr 2026 05:08:35 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Transformational M&A: Fletchers Are on the March]]>https://www.acquiraps.co.uk/blogs/post/transformational-m-a-fletchers-are-on-the-marchThe wave of consolidation in the legal market shows no sign of stopping, but within the PI and clinical negligence sectors, the scale and pace seem to have accelerated in the past five years, with more mergers and acquisitions than in other specialist areas.]]>

The wave of consolidation in the legal market shows no sign of stopping, but within the PI and clinical negligence sectors, the scale and pace seem to have accelerated in the past five years, with more mergers and acquisitions than in other specialist areas.

Consider the entry by Sun European Partners, a mid-tier private equity house, into the legal sector three years ago. It acquired leading claimant serious personal injury and clinical negligence firm Fletchers for over £40 million, clearly demonstrating not only intent but real firepower.

It has since set its sights on becoming the dominant player in the claimant market, with further acquisitions.

Fletchers' strategy revolves around transformational and not transactional M&A based on pure scale and revenue, which sets them apart.

A transformational approach to M&A involves a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond traditional financial and operational considerations. It aims to fundamentally change the merged entities to create a more competitive, innovative, and efficient organization.

This is a real catalyst for the law firm to increase revenue and profitability.

With additional funding, Fletchers are definitely on the march.

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]]>Wed, 26 Jun 2024 15:33:46 +0000<![CDATA[The M&A Playbook for Regional Law Firms: Lawfront Buys Slater Heelis]]>https://www.acquiraps.co.uk/blogs/post/The-M-and-A-Playbook-for-Regional-Law-FirmsAnother smart move by Lawfront, as Slater Heelis is a first-class regional firm.]]>

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!

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]]>Thu, 02 May 2024 15:33:56 +0000<![CDATA[Powering Up a Law Firm-The Barbarians at the Gate?]]>https://www.acquiraps.co.uk/blogs/post/powering-up-a-law-firm-the-barbarians-at-the-gatePowering Up a Law Firm-The Barbarians at the Gate? The Law Society Gazette covered yesterday the impressive published accounts from national law firm K ]]>

Powering Up a Law Firm-The Barbarians at the Gate?

The Law Society Gazette covered yesterday the impressive published accounts from national law firm Keoghs LLP.
£110 million in revenue with a gross margin of 25.5%.

Just to be clear: Keoghs is owned by the global insurance and professional services brand, the Davies Group, which is in turn owned by BC Partners, a £140 billion PE house!

The BC chair and dealmaking guru Nikos Stathopoulos once said in an interview with the FT:“Investing is very much about conviction,” … “To get to that conviction you must have something more than your peers […] so that you’re able to pay more. It’s not just based on the business plan.”

Perhaps that’s why Keoghs now have access to an enormous war chest for M&A in the legal sector, which will allow them to be powered up even further. With another PE house, Inflexion, buying DWF, we can see the future direction of travel.

Not quite the barbarians at the gate, but definitely a firm to watch out for.

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]]>Fri, 08 Mar 2024 14:55:01 +0000<![CDATA[On Your Marks! : Law Firm M&A in 2024]]>https://www.acquiraps.co.uk/blogs/post/On-Your-Marks-Law-Firm-MA-in-2024It’s a real pleasure to present our annual M&A review for the legal sector. In a dynamic year of challenges and opportunities, this comprehensive r ]]>

It’s a real pleasure to present our annual M&A review for the legal sector.
In a dynamic year of challenges and opportunities, this comprehensive review delves into the key mergers and acquisitions that have shaped the legal landscape.
For those who aren’t on our mailing list, see the link below to download the report.

📈Trends That Defined 2023: A Glimpse Back
Reflecting on the past year, we witnessed unprecedented shifts in the legal sector.

💼 Predictions for 2024: Navigating the Future
What lies ahead for the legal sector in 2024?
Our experts gaze into the crystal ball to anticipate upcoming trends, potential disruptors, and game-changing mergers. Whether it's the rise of legal funding groups and PE, or innovative partnerships, our predictions aim to guide industry players through the evolving landscape.

🔗 Join the Conversation
Let's turn this annual review into a conversation!
Share your thoughts, experiences, and predictions in the comments section. What trends do you find most intriguing, and how do you envision the future of the legal sector?

📢 Stay Tuned
This is just the beginning! In the coming weeks, we'll be hosting webinars and panel discussions featuring industry leaders to further delve into the insights uncovered in our annual M&A review.
Don't miss the chance to engage with thought leaders and gain a deeper understanding of the forces shaping the legal sector.

Subscribe and Download the Report
]]>Fri, 05 Jan 2024 13:09:00 +0000<![CDATA[Private Equity Strikes Again in the Legal Sector]]>https://www.acquiraps.co.uk/blogs/post/Private-Equity-Strikes-Again-in-the-Legal-SectorNo one in the corporate legal world had until recently heard of Inflexion Private Equity Partners. This changed dramatically when they announced in July the purchase of the top 50 law firm, DWF]]>

Private Equity Strikes Again in the Legal Sector

No one in the corporate legal world had until recently heard of Inflexion Private Equity Partners. This changed dramatically when they announced in July the purchase of the top 50 law firm, DWF.

This London-headquartered private equity house was set up over 20 years ago by Simon Turner and John Hartz, described by insiders as the “doyens of private equity”.
The company has approximately £8bn in funds under management, and its current portfolio in the legal sector includes Chambers Directory, National Accident Helpline, a claims management company in the personal injury sector, and O’Neil Patient, a top 100 conveyancing law firm.

Well, they have now announced a very astute investment in an online platform created by city giant Allen & Overy.

The legal and compliance data subscription platform Aosphere will become a standalone entity, with A&O retaining a significant minority stake in the business it created in 2002 as Derivative Services and rebranded in 2015.

Alongside the “strategic investment” by private equity firm Inflexion is backing from Endicott Capital, a US-based investor specialising in the information services industry.

Another private equity-backed business, Lawfront, is also in the news again for another acquisition. This time is number six, namely acquiring Leicester-based Patterson Commercial Law, which has 10 fee-earners. Another strategic move as this strengthens by way of a tuck in the acquisition of the large East Midlands firm, Nelsons.

Behind Lawfront, is Blixt, a pan-European private equity firm headquartered in London that claims to have access to more than £200 million in long-term institutional investor funding.

Putting aside the usual lawyer disdain for private equity in this sector, the reality is that likes of Inflexion and Lawfront would not be investing unless they could see a return. Interestingly, in 2019, the Financial Times reported that Inflexion was producing returns as much as three times the amount invested.

It is no surprise that these firms are expanding rapidly in the legal sector. More, I’m sure, will follow!
https://zurl.co/GtlB

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]]>Thu, 02 Nov 2023 11:15:31 +0000<![CDATA[Funding M&A Deals in the Legal Sector Has Just Got A lot Easier!]]>https://www.acquiraps.co.uk/blogs/post/funding-m-a-deals-in-the-legal-sector-has-just-got-a-lot-easierLast year our research found that 57% of law firms were actively seeking acquisition or merger opportunities, 23% were already in talks over an acquisition or merger, and the remaining 20% were considering whether to look for an acquisition or merger.]]>

Last year our research found that 57% of law firms were actively seeking acquisition or merger opportunities, 23% were already in talks over an acquisition or merger, and the remaining 20% were considering whether to look for an acquisition or merger.


All too often, law firms on the buy side have a great strategy around M&A but simply don’t have the funds to do the deal. My advice is the same: don’t look unless you can pay for the deal.


Law firms are not Poundland unless, of course, there is distress.


Equity swaps are fine but will not work for premium, high-growth firms that are not going to give up their firm based on a promise.

Having a war chest makes sense, and dry powder is critical, particularly if opportunities arise.


It is great to see the astute team at Doorway Capital putting this together, and it really does fill a gap in this market, allowing smaller and midsize firms to play with the bigger firms and PE houses.


If you need any help on funding, acquisition strategies, or updates on market activity, you know where I am.

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