Ex-Rosenblatt CEO and RPC chief launch PE-focused advisory boutique

Adil Taha, one of the UK legal sector’s most experienced private equity dealmakers, has launched an advisory boutique to help law firms navigate the fast-growing world of external investment.

Taha, a former investment banker and private equity executive who most recently served as CEO of Rosenblatt after leading its high-profile rescue from the failing RBG Holdings, has teamed up with Jonathan Watmough, the ex-managing partner of City firm RPC. The pair have unveiled Taha & Watmough, a new firm focused on bridging the gap between law firms and investors.

The firm has also enlisted Peter Jackson, the long-serving former Hill Dickinson chief who grew the firm fivefold during his tenure, as an external adviser.

Big Law meets private capital

The launch comes as private equity, family offices and even listed investors are circling law firms with increasing intensity.

The most high-profile example to date is Inflexion’s £342 million take-private of listed firm DWF in 2023, but momentum has been building fast since. Much of the action has focused on the regional and mid-market space, with PE-backed Lawfront perhaps the most active example, rolling up firms like Kent-based Brachers to push its group revenues past £100 million.

The City’s largest players are also understood to be on investors’ radars - Clifford Chance managing partner Charles Adams recently told Financial News he "wouldn’t exclude" external investment if the right structure emerged.

Taha has been closely involved in some of the sector’s biggest private equity-backed turnarounds, most notably Rosenblatt’s rescue and relaunch at the start of the year, which he calls one of the most successful short-term PE deals in the UK legal market. In July, he appeared on The Non-Billable Podcast to discuss how private equity is reshaping UK law firms, with buy-and-build strategies driving regional deals but exits still proving elusive.

Watmough - who grew RPC’s revenue past £100 million as managing partner - joined Rosenblatt as chair following the demerger from RBG.

A growing advisory field

Taha & Watmough joins a small but fast-growing crop of Big Law insiders-turned-advisers aiming to guide firms through investment and governance decisions. In May, former A&O senior partners Wim Dejonghe and David Morley launched their own boutique, while ex-Linklaters strategy chief Greg Jackson set up consultancy Oakwood Strategy in June.

What they said

Speaking to Non-Billable, Taha said:

"The Rosenblatt rescue and relaunch is one of the most successful short-term PE-led deals in UK legal, supported massively by a range of contacts who made sure we delivered.

"I am excited to be launching a unique advisory offering where we bring together former managing partners and CEOs of Top 50 firms alongside myself as the most experienced PE professional in UK legal when it comes to deal-making. We are excited to be a catalyst in a sector where there are 10x as many deals falling through than being completed."