The Right Legal Group is set for significant expansion after securing private equity funding.
- This wills and probate specialist aims to acquire at least a dozen law firms annually.
- The group sees opportunities in helping smaller firms exit the legal market.
- Vespa Capital has taken a minority stake to support this strategic growth.
- The expansion will also involve increasing branch coverage and staff numbers.
The Right Legal Group, a specialist in wills and probate, has secured pivotal private equity funding to advance its expansion strategy. This initiative aims to bolster the group’s capacity to acquire a minimum of twelve law firms each year. Identifying a distinct opportunity within the legal market, the group seeks to assist smaller firms in exiting the industry smoothly, reflecting a strategic alignment with their growth objectives.
A year of engagement with potential funders bore fruit with Vespa Capital emerging as the optimal partner, willing to take a minority stake. This partnership allows Right Legal to maintain control over its operations while leveraging Vespa’s expertise to fuel its ambitious acquisition plans. The group’s leadership, including founders Mike Simpson, Carrie Caladine, and Keith Dearling, underscores the importance of this collaboration in achieving their long-term vision.
Right Legal has steadily expanded since its inception in Derby in 2014, growing from twelve staff to a robust workforce of 170. The group’s trading name, Simpson Solicitors, operates nine offices nationwide, with new branches planned in Manchester and Southampton. This expansion is expected to increase staff numbers to over 200 by the year’s end, highlighting the group’s commitment to growing their operational footprint.
The acquisition strategy is not new to Right Legal, having integrated 15 law firms over the past nine years, including those in administration. This experience positions the group as a facilitator for legal practices burdened by challenges such as run-off cover. Director of Innovation, Mike Simpson, articulates this strategy as a means to unlock significant goodwill trapped in firms unable to exit the market.
Further enhancing their service offerings, Right Legal’s RightWill platform collaborates with external law firms to protect clients’ financial and emotional assets. This initiative complements the group’s growth trajectory, aligning with Vespa Capital’s focus on tech-enabled services. Carrie Caladine acknowledges Vespa’s robust support capability, citing their strong track record in fostering business growth and innovation.
Right Legal Group’s strategic expansion through targeted acquisitions is poised to reshape the legal services landscape, driven by robust private equity backing.
