Lawhive targets US law firms with New York office and M&A strategy

Lawhive has opened a New York office and unveiled plans to acquire US law firms across a range of consumer practice areas, stepping up its push to build an AI-powered legal services business on both sides of the Atlantic.

The UK-founded law firm and tech platform has appointed lawyer James Peters as managing director and Allen Rodriguez to lead business development, building a team to execute its US law firm acquisition plan.

The firm has also brought in former SRA executive director Crispin Passmore to add regulatory muscle. Passmore is one of the leading names in UK legal regulation and launched an advisory firm of his own last year.

“Our first year operating in the US has demonstrated strong demand for a more modern approach to consumer legal services,” Peters said.

“Lawhive’s model allows those practices to benefit from shared infrastructure, capital investment and technology while continuing to deliver the legal expertise their clients rely on.”

Crossing the pond

The move follows Lawhive’s $60 million fundraise in February, aimed at accelerating its US expansion. It has already established a foothold through an Arizona-based ABS it acquired, which works with more than 150 lawyers across the country.

Lawhive said it is targeting firms in family law, immigration, real estate, civil litigation and intellectual property - areas where consumer demand is high and the market is fragmented.

“We believe the next generation of consumer law firms will operate very differently from the traditional model,” said Lawhive CEO Pierre Proner.

“Across America there are outstanding firms serving their communities, but many operate without the infrastructure and support needed to scale.

“By partnering with and acquiring leading firms across the country, we can combine exceptional legal expertise with technology and operational systems that allow those practices to grow and operate far more efficiently.”

Legal tech beginnings

The US expansion builds on a model Lawhive has already started testing in the UK.

Founded in 2019, the business began life offering software and AI tools to law firms, as well as operating an online legal services marketplace connecting consumers with law firms.

It has since evolved into an SRA-regulated law firm, combining lawyers with its own AI platform to handle tasks such as drafting, research and case management.

Last year, it made its first acquisition - regional conveyancing firm Woodstock - as it began building out a more vertically integrated model.