Law firms merge to drive growth strategy
Thu, 01 Feb 2024 | MERGER
A pair of UK law firms have merged in a deal that aims to accelerate their growth plans. Northampton-based SP Law has merged with EMW, a firm with offices in London, Milton Keynes, Gatwick and Brighton.
SP Law provides a range of legal services and advice to commercial and private clients, including employment law, commercial litigation and family law. The company, which was founded by Hassan Shah and Sundip Patel, previously merged with Martin Adams & McColl in 2012. The deal sees full-service law firm EMW return to Northampton, where the company was founded in 1992, following a 16-year absence.
EMW Managing Partner James Geary said: "Whilst the Northamptonshire market has served us well despite our absence, we recognise that a physical presence in the county will increase our opportunities.”
"The deal will allow us to accelerate growth, build market share and ensure we're investing in innovation and attracting the very best talent.” Geary added that SP Law’s founders had built “a well-established and highly respected firm with the same values and ethos as ours”.
Hassan Shah added: "Sundip and I have our roots in Northampton, and together with our wonderful team, have been privileged to serve our local community over the past 19 or so years. Our recent move to 8 Spencer Parade was part of our strategy to support the town centre.”
"We are confident that the return of EMW to Northampton will be great for the town - it is also a clear signal that Northampton has a thriving and dynamic business community and is a place worthy of investment.”
The UK legal sector saw a significant level of dealmaking last year, driven by high fragmentation, increasing private equity interest and growing cost pressures that are leading firms to consider mergers or sales. Against this backdrop, many law firms are using acquisitions to add and develop services, build scale, expand geographically and boost their earnings.
Find out more about the trends generating M&A activity in the UK legal sector
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