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.

Professional firm mergers FAQs

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.

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.

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Legal 500 2024

"The team at Fox Williams are all over the detail and totally up to date with market trends. They understand our business, which allows them to tailor their approach specifically."


Chambers UK 2024

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