Law firm mergers and acquisitions service

Armstrong Watson offer a proactive Mergers and Aquistions service specifically for the Legal Sector. Every two months we prepare and circulate a list of firms looking to acquire others, to merge or to be sold. We identify firms that match the criteria set out by those we know are seeking such amalgamations.

Armstrong Watson will manage the process:

We value firms and negotiate terms.
We carry out due diligence. We provide law firms with a list of areas that we commonly review and agree with them which areas would be most beneficial to include within our due diligence scope. We then prepare our report to management, designed to highlight potential risks of the merger.
We undertake financial modelling to highlight potential synergies, cost savings and most importantly how the profit share and capital accounts might look.
We advise on any tax implications of the proposed merger and how to minimise any tax exposure.
We provide a detailed merger checklist that identifies all of the tasks that commonly need to be completed to enact a merger, and also the risks and other factors that firms should be aware of. The checklist allows us to allocate merger tasks, set deadlines for their completion and ensure that they are completed as planned.

Contact our Legal Sector Partner, Andy Poole, on 07828 857830 or andy.poole@armstrongwatson.co.uk to discuss how we can help you.

What is it?

A proactive mergers and acquisitions service

Who is it for?

All law firms of all sizes in all locations

What are the benefits for your firm?

You will be able to achieve your strategic objectives
You will achieve the right result at the right value
You will decrease your risk
You will achieve compliance and confidentiality

What do I have to do?

Dependant on individual circumstances

What are the deliverables?

Discovery meeting. Delivery of selected services as set out above. Meetings with clients and their merging party.

What is the cost?

Bespoke fee options agreed at the outset.

How long will it take?

Dependant on individual circumstances

Recent Deals

Acquisition search

Appointed by a large full service firm to actively identify and pursue acquisition targets throughout the North.

December 2017

Disposal advice

Appointed by a three partner firm in their disposal to a local competitor. Included valuation, negotiation and tax structuring advice.

November 2017

Time sensitive sale

Appointed by a struggling ABS that need to maximise value quickly. Lead advisor on the entire process including price negotiation, heads of terms and SPA advisory.

July 2017

Succession crisis

Appointed by two senior partners when the “future plan” unexpectedly left the firm. Included marketing for sale and advice on valuation and tax structuring.

June 2017

Disposal advice

Appointed by a medium sized firm in their search for a willing acquirer having exhausted all local options. Included production of an information memorandum, marketing for sale and advice on valuation

March 2017

Practice Sale

Appointed by a medium sized firm in their potential disposal to a consolidator. Including valuing, negotiating and reverse due diligence.

March 2016

Disposal Advice

Appointed by a three partner firm to find potential acquirers and then manage their entire sale process.

March 2016

Large Disposal

Advised a large niche law firm on their sale to a larger investor backed ABS. Including structure advice; valuations; negotiating; and reverse due diligence.

February 2016

Disposal Advice

Advised a three partner firm on their potential disposal to a larger firm. Including advice on the structure of the sale and acting as lead negotiator.

December 2015

Practice Sale

Advised a large specialist clinical negligence firm on their multi-million £ disposal to a new entrant. Including advice on the structure of the sale the preparation of a tax report; negotiating;and interacting with legal advisors.

October 2015

Information Memorandum

Preparation of an information memorandum to aide the sale of a sole practitioner.

August 2015

Department Disposal

Advised a large law firm on the disposal of their PI department. Including valuing and method of pre LASPO WIP transfer.

July 2015

Practice Valuation

Advised on valuation methods for a large firm

July 2015

Acquisition Advice

Advised a three partner practice on the acquisition of a sole practitioner.

April 2014

Merger Management

Appointed jointly by two three partner firms to manage their entire merger process in a smooth manner. Including financial modelling.

November 2013

Part Disposal

Arranged the part disposal of WIP by a department within a 21 partner practice.

October 2013

Disposal Advice

Advised a sole practitioner selling his practice to a larger firm upon retirement. Valuation undertaken. Contract terms reviewed, implications advised.

October 2013

Practice Valuation and Sale Advice

Advised a sole practitioner on the sale process of his practice to a large regional firm including negotiation on terms and value.

May 2012

Due Diligence

Advised on the acquisition of a four partner firm for a large regional law firm including preparation of a detailed due diligence report.

March 2012

What our clients say

Having faced a number of approaches from law firms and companies over the years to acquire Pryers, it was important for us to wait patiently for the right opportunity with the right company to forge ahead with. Pure Legal undoubtedly presents that opportunity and I am delighted to get this deal over the line and I look forward to working with Phil and his team. Thanks to our Accountant, Andy Poole and his team from Armstrong Watson, for their diligent work. We were genuinely impressed with their advice and representation.

Ian Pryer, Managing Partner, Pryers LLP