Practice Management
Smaller law firms reject M&A in favour of organic growth
The proportion of smaller law firms considering merger or acquisition as a growth strategy has halved in a year to just one in 20, with a shift in focus to organic growth.
Knights adds Essex and IFA services in latest acquisition
National firm Knights yesterday announced its 24th acquisition since listing in 2018 with a £16.6m deal for Essex law firm Birkett Long that will take its annual revenues to over £200m.
Law firms “failing to be proactive on wellbeing”, says IBA
Developing a “proactive policy” to prevent wellbeing issues from arising appears to be a “significant challenge” for most law firms, a report by the IBA has found.
Exclusive: SRA authorises first AI-only law firm
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has for the first time authorised a law firm whose offering is solely provided by an AI-powered litigation assistant.
Top family firm chooses employee ownership over private equity
Leading specialist firm Family Law Partners has eschewed approaches from private equity houses to move instead to employee ownership.
Proportion of law firms using GenAI almost doubles
The proportion of law firms using GenAI has almost doubled, new research has found, with another study showing rapid adoption by M&A lawyers.
Hiring elite lawyers only works for law firms “with other stars”
Hiring star or elite lawyers generally does not work for law firms but it can if there are “other stars in the same area”, academics have found.
New practice area and location for top PI firm leads latest M&A
Top personal injury firm Express Solicitors has expanded out of Manchester with an acquisition that also takes it into the data breach market as we round up the latest M&A.
Fast-growing professional services group buys first law firm
A multi-disciplinary professional services firm with significant financial backing has bought its first law firm as part of an “aggressive” buy-and-build strategy.
ICO fines law firm £60,000 after dark web publishes client data
A law firm which specialises in defending clients accused of sexual offences has been fined £60,000 after a cyber-attack saw “highly sensitive” details of 682 clients published on the dark web.
Blog
AI in family law – drawing the line for clients and lawyers
AI is becoming increasingly intertwined with family law. Clients are using it to draft initial enquiries, prepare statements and, in some cases, to support themselves as litigants in person.
Why AI and leadership choices will define law firm profitability in 2026
Despite rapid advances in legal technology, the future of law will not be determined by software alone. It will be shaped by leadership decisions.
Legal director: an alternative to partnership
Firms are increasingly acknowledging the need for alternative senior roles – positions that offer influence and recognition without the obligations of ownership.
