Our Corporate team advise Slater Heelis on its acquisition by Lawfront

The acquisition follows considerable expansion by Slater Heelis over the last few years.  In 2021, the firm incorporated to implement an ambitious acquisition and organic growth strategy.

The acquisition of Towns Needham and NJ Goodman & Co added service lines in charity law and insolvency, as well as a regulatory team. These complemented existing teams including family, Court of Protection and corporate.

In 2023, Slater Heelis was one of the first law firms to set up a share incentive plan providing shares in the company to all colleagues.

Slater Heelis takes Lawfront’s revenue to approximately £70m and was described as an important further step in achieving its vision of building a “high-quality, national legal services business”.

Thomas Mieszkowski (Partner), Aakanksha Dalal (Senior Associate), and Frances Scarisbrick (Associate) from our Corporate team advised Slater Heelis, and were further supported by a multi-disciplinary team of specialist lawyers here at Walker Morris.

Other advisers on the transaction were: Alvarez and Marsal (Patrick Simpson, Richard Lee, Sarah Bowen, Chloe Gauvin); Financial, Cortus (Jenny Kirkham, Lucas Thornley & Diota Akenzi); and Tax, RSM (Colin Smyth, Martin Cooper).

Simon Wallwork, partner and head of Corporate, who instigated and led the transaction for Slater Heelis, said:

“We started the process last June and the proposition provided by Lawfront is excellent. It has a shared vision of growth and investment and enables Slater Heelis to continue and fulfil its own vision. This transaction will accelerate our acquisition strategy as well as allowing us to invest in our culture and the communities we operate in.”

Chris Bishop, managing partner of Slater Heelis, said:

“Our clients are at the forefront of everything we do and this will enable us to continue building the trusted relationships we have with them.”

Patrick Simpson of Alvarez and Marsal, who led the deal on behalf of Slater Heelis, said:

“Slater Heelis is a brand that has been operating across the North West for over 250 years with a fantastic reputation for client delivery and a commitment to the communities in which it operates. Lawfront will be a great home for the business moving forward as they continue their investment into the general legal services market and we are delighted to have supported the shareholders through this process. The legal, and broader professional services market, is an area we are expecting to continue to be active across in the short to medium term.”

Thomas Mieszkowski, Partner at Walker Morris, said:

“We’re proud to have advised Slater Heelis on this significant acquisition by Lawfront. This move marks a key milestone in Slater Heelis’ strategic growth plan and will further enhance their ability to deliver exceptional legal services. We look forward to seeing the continued success and growth of Slater Heelis and Lawfront.”