Lawfront makes two more acquisitions as revenue heads for £175m

Private equity-backed Lawfront has completed two more acquisitions through its group firms as it continues to build out its network of regional law firms.

Essex and Suffolk firm Fisher Jones Greenwood (FJG) has acquired Giles Wilson, a 35-person firm, while Lancashire-based Farleys has acquired Houldsworth Solicitors.

The deals bring Lawfront's acquisition tally to 18 over the past five years, with the group projecting revenue of £175 million this year. The group provides its firms with investment in areas including management, technology and acquisitions while retaining their individual regional brands.

Lawfront now owns seven regional law firms including Nelsons, Slater Heelis, Brachers, Trethowans and Field Seymour Parkes.

The latest expansion comes after Lawfront appointed Peter Martin-Simon as chief executive, succeeding the retiring chief Niel Lloyd.

The deals also come two months after Lawfront launched a £4.6 million High Court claim against five Slater Heelis partners, alleging it overpaid for the firm.

Building regional scale

The Giles Wilson deal expands FJG's presence across East Anglia and strengthens its private client practice.

FJG managing partner Doug Field said the acquisition represented a "big moment" for the firm, which now operates from the three largest cities in Essex.

"Giles Wilson is exactly the kind of business we want to join us: successful, respected, deeply connected to its communities and, above all, full of talented people," he said.

Farleys' acquisition of Houldsworth is its third since joining Lawfront and expands the firm's presence in Lancashire. All 27 members of the Houldsworth team are set to join Farleys as part of the deal.

"We're a proud Lancashire firm and this acquisition allows us to strengthen our presence in the area while protecting the local relationships and personal approach that clients value," Farleys managing partner Ian Liddle said.

Lawfront chief executive Peter Martin-Simon said the latest deals showed the group's strategy of providing "regional leaders with national scale”. He added that further acquisitions are "on the horizon".

Listen to the Non-Billable podcast episode with Lawfront COO Axel Koelsch for more on its strategy.