Practice Management

Listed law firm Knights has undertaken yet another acquisition to mark its first entry into Wales, as well as announcing the recruitment of four partners for the Cardiff office.

It is a “uniquely arrogant and complacent facet” of law firms that partners think some key business functions are “dispensible” support staff rather than core elements.

Merger talks announced earlier this year between Ward Hadaway and The Endeavour Partnership have proven successful as we round up recent market developments.

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.