Practice Management

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by small law firms is being held back by cost, uncertainty and a reluctance to invest in systems that quickly become outdated or non-compliant, according to SRA research.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

A blue-chip wealth management company has transferred the law firm it has owned since 2017 to a well-known East Midlands law firm.

The Octopus Group, the £13bn financial services and energy business, claims it is now the second largest estate planning business in the country after buying WSL Will Writing.

Kent firm Judge & Priestley has moved into the capital by acquiring Portner Law in one of several mergers and acquisitions announced this month.