The advent of non-lawyer ownership of law firms is widely predicted to lead to an increase in merger activity due to consolidation in the legal market.
We have been at the forefront of advising on mergers, both national and international. This has included umbrella structures in cross border mergers.
Firms are also combining in looser associations than a full merger, to achieve the same end and we have helped groups of firms to set up and operate such arrangements. We have acted on a number of sales and purchases in the professional practice sector, including buying and selling the underlying business or the LLP.
How do mergers between professional services differ from a normal merger?
Professional services firm mergers present unique challenges. Issues such as partner acceptance, merging profit sharing systems, regulatory approval and addressing historic liabilities often require a different approach than for a typical commercial business.
Is it possible to realise the value of a law firm through a business sale?
Historically law firm partners have rarely been able to realise a capital value for their business. This is changing, with the introduction of alternative business structures potentially allowing outside investors to purchase a stake in a law firm. Other options, such as selling the business to existing staff members, are also a possibility.