Practice Management

Cross-selling is the biggest missed opportunity to boost law firm profits, according to research that says lawyers fear looking too pushy.

While 48 out of the top 50 UK law firms are publicly committed to climate-related targets, only nine have disclosed time-bound carbon reduction targets by 2030 or net zero targets by 2050.

Lack of confidence is the biggest barrier to social mobility in the law, according to a founder of the City Solicitors Horizons scheme, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this week.

Law firms should respond to the needs of neurodivergent lawyers without requiring them to produce formal diagnoses, a senior neurodiverse solicitor has said.

Private-equity backed Fletchers Group has acquired the 80-strong serious injury practice of national firm Shoosmiths, adding three new offices in the process.

This year’s M&A activity has continued with deals announced by law firms owned by employees, public shareholders and a global investment manager.

A fast-growing commercial law firm whose lawyers work remotely has become the latest to take private equity backing, with LDC buying a large minority stake.

Most women in law (88%) believe sex discrimination is still prevalent in the profession, with 63% saying they had personally experienced it in the last five years.

Tech adoption by small law firms is being held back by cost, uncertainty and a reluctance to invest in systems that quickly become outdated or non-compliant, according to SRA research.

Prices for basic legal services have increased by more than inflation in recent years, while law firms offering fixed costs are significantly cheaper than those giving estimates.