Law Firms, Growth and the Role of External Investment: A Global Perspective
External investment in the legal sector is no longer a theoretical debate. It is increasingly part of mainstream strategic thinking for law firm leadership, particularly in relation to private equity, growth and international competitiveness.
In this discussion, special guests Juliet Oliver and Crispin Passmore, of Passmore & Oliver Partners, join CM Murray LLP Partners Corinne Staves and Zulon Begum to discuss what is driving investor interest in the market, how law firm attitudes are evolving, andwhy developments in the US - including the growing use of managed services organisation (MSO) models - are starting to matter globally.
Watch the video and see below for further details.
In this recording, Corinne, Zulon, Juliet and Crispin discuss:
Why has investor interest in law firms accelerated now? What this shift says about how the legal sector is viewed by private capital.
What changes when competitors have access to capital and scalable operating models? The implications for growth strategies, consolidation, lateral hiring and long‑term positioning.
Is the traditional partnership model equipped to support sustained investment in technology and talent? How firms are reassessing incentives, equity structures and long‑term sustainability.
How are alternative structures, including MSO models, being used to navigate regulators constraints in the US? Why developments there are increasingly relevant beyond the US market.
Does external investment inevitably change culture and control - or can it support long‑term strategy? The importance of leadership clarity and alignment when considering external capital.
Watch the video: Law Firms, Growth and the Role of External Investment: A Global Perspective - YouTube
If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised, including external investment, growth strategy or partnership structures, please contact Corinne Staves, Zulon Begum, Juliet Oliver or Crispin Passmore.
Passmore & Oliver Partners is a specialist strategy and regulatory consultancy focused on the global legal services market. Founded by former legal services regulators Juliet Oliver and Crispin Passmore, the firm advises law firms, investors and legal businesses on regulation,structuring and external investment, with a particular focus on the UK and US markets.
Corinne Staves is ranked as a “Star Individual” by Chambers and Partners UK 2026 for Partnership: Non-contentious: “One of the absolute leaders in the field on both contentious and non-contentious matters, regulatory and litigation.”
Zulon Begum is ranked Band 1 by Chambers and Partners US 2026 for Partnership: Non-contentious: “Zulon is extremely responsive and has a solid handle on the challenges of pressure and in the regulatory environment that we have been dealing with.” ”She is calm and confident and gives the sense and feeling of really knowing the topic and the market, which is very important.”
CM Murray LLP is ranked Tier 1 for Partnershipby Legal 500 2026:“This practice is unique due to its very specific focus on partnership matters and related transactions.”