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

Managing a Merger

Introducing two law firms to each other then jointly engaged to manage a merger process, including use of our merger checklist and regulatory requirements

January 2020

Disposal Search

Research, advice and connecting a very profitable two equity partner firm with potential acquirers for a goodwill disposal. Including information provision. Engaged to complete deal with the preferred party

January 2020

Acquisition Search

Research, advice and connecting a larger law firm with firms that may be a suitable match for merger / acquisition

December 2019

Disposal Search

Research, advice and connecting a two partner firm to potential merger partners

October 2019

Disposal

Search, contact, negotiations, deal structure through to completion of a disposal of a legal aid firm to a large legal aid specialist

September 2019

PI Caseload Disposal

Introduction and arranging a deal for a large full service firm to dispose of their PI caseload and department

November 2019

PI Caseload Acquisition

Introduction and arranging a deal for a national law firm to acquire part of the PI caseload of a smaller niche firm

August 2019

Disposal

Disposal negotiations for a three partner firm to a private equity backed consolidator, including EBITDA calculations for a multiple based approach

July 2019

Valuation then Disposal Search

Valuation report then disposal search for a profitable niche law firm in Scotland

June 2019

Disposal

Disposal search, contacting, arranging, provision of information, negotiating and completing a disposal with goodwill of a large law firm to a national outfit

May 2019

Disposal Search/Process

Identification of and contact with potential acquirers of a seven partner firm, including data room, provision of information and deal negotiation

April 2019

Valuation for Acquisition

Valuation of a sole practitioner on behalf of a potential acquirer

March 2019

Merger

Background deal advice for a successful three partner firm in their merger discussions with a large regional player

January 2019

Valuation

Detailed valuation reports for a medium sized law, estate agency and financial advisory business

November 2018

Disposal/Investment

Disposal / investment search for a large niche volume specialist

August 2018

Information Memorandum

Preparation of a detailed information memorandum for a large law firm in connection with their potential disposal to a larger law firm

July 2018

Acquisition Search

Acquisition search for a private equity backed national law firm consolidator

May 2018

Deal Structuring

Advised a three partner niche law firm on their merger with a large international firm

April 2018

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