Legal Services Acquisitions in 2022

Murgitroyd, a portfolio company of Sovereign Capital Partners, has acquired UK-based Turnbull Lynch Intellectual Property Limited (TLIP) and Glasgow-based Creation IP. The add-on acquisitions expand Murgitroyd’s IP advisory capabilities, broaden its client base (from start-ups and SMEs to corporate clients in technology, electronics and biotechnology) and strengthen its UK footprint as part of a buy-and-build strategy.

Rouse, a PE-backed global intellectual property services firm, has acquired Valea AB, a long-established Swedish IP firm with offices in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. The deal, supported by Rouse’s investor MML Capital, expands Rouse’s capabilities and presence in Sweden to better serve technology and greentech clients and deepen its European patent expertise.

Lexitas, a portfolio company of funds advised by Apax, has acquired AdvancedONE (formerly Advanced Depositions and HG Litigation), expanding its footprint across the U.S. The add-on strengthens Lexitas’ West, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast operations and gives AdvancedONE access to Lexitas’ broader technology-enabled litigation services platform.

U.S. Legal Support Inc. has completed the acquisition of Summit Court Reporting, a certified woman-owned court reporting and videography firm headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The deal expands U.S. Legal Support's court reporting coverage and capabilities across the northeastern United States and integrates Summit's local services into U.S. Legal Support's nationwide litigation support platform.

IDIQ, a Temecula, California-based identity protection and credit monitoring company, has acquired Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc., a New Jersey-based provider of voluntary employee benefits and pre-paid legal plans. The deal brings Countrywide's network of attorneys and voluntary benefits products into IDIQ's suite to expand its voluntary benefits offerings and distribution.

Lexitas, a portfolio company of funds advised by Apax, has acquired Grove & Associates, a Wheaton, Illinois-based court reporting and legal videography firm founded in 1999 by Kathie Grove. The deal expands Lexitas' presence west of Chicago and adds Grove's experienced team of reporters and videographers to Lexitas' nationwide litigation support platform.

Fennemore announced it expanded into Orange County, California by adding lawyers and legal professionals from Rynn & Janowsky, LLP, bolstering the firm’s agribusiness, employment, and business law capabilities. The move increases Fennemore’s West Coast headcount (to 500+ team members and ~250 attorneys) and establishes a new Orange County office effective October 1, 2022.

Alan Gray LLC acquired Legal Cost Control, Inc., a Haddonfield, New Jersey-based provider of legal spend management, matter management and AI-enabled bill review technology (SIMS). The deal closed on September 8, 2022; Alan Gray said it will integrate LCC's web-based SIMS platform and expertise to expand its claims, audit and legal bill auditing capabilities for corporate and insurance clients.

HaystackID, a PE-backed eDiscovery services firm, has acquired Business Intelligence Associates (BIA) to expand its enterprise eDiscovery, managed services, and New York market capabilities. The deal was facilitated by HaystackID's majority investor Quad-C Management and strengthens HaystackID's offerings in cyber discovery, incident response, privacy/compliance, and information governance.

Registered Agent Solutions, Inc. (RASi), a Lexitas company, has acquired Allstate Corporate Services, a New York–headquartered corporate filing and registered agent provider. The deal expands RASi’s footprint in the Tri-State region and formalizes a long-running partnership between the two firms; Lexitas (the parent of RASi) is a portfolio company of funds advised by Apax.

Litigation Services, a national litigation support firm based in Las Vegas, has acquired Central Court Reporting & Video, a Seattle-headquartered court reporting firm with six locations across Washington. The acquisition, effective immediately, is part of Litigation Services' strategic expansion into the Pacific Northwest and will extend the buyer's national court reporting and litigation support coverage.

Magna Legal Services, a portfolio company of CIVC Partners, has acquired On Time Reporting, Inc., a Long Island–based court reporting firm. The deal expands Magna's litigation support footprint and capabilities in the New York market while On Time will continue to operate from Mineola, NY.

Nager, Romaine & Schneiberg Co., L.P.A. (NRS Injury Law) has acquired Gibson Law Offices, the Dayton practice of veteran attorney Joseph E. Gibson, who is transitioning to an Industrial Commission of Ohio District Hearing Officer role. The acquisition gives NRS a brick-and-mortar presence in Dayton to expand its workers' compensation and personal injury services in southwest Ohio.

TCDI has completed the acquisition of Aon’s eDiscovery practice, adding advisory capabilities, the NOMAD mobile processing platform, PHI/PII detection and post-breach support tools while expanding TCDI’s geographic footprint into the United Kingdom. Colleagues from Aon’s practice are joining TCDI; Trivest Partners, a minority investor in TCDI since 2020, is involved in the transaction and will continue a commercial relationship with Aon.

Esquire Deposition Solutions LLC has acquired New York City–based TSG Reporting, Inc., a provider of court reporters, videographers, and interpreters, to expand Esquire’s geographic footprint and litigation services capabilities. The deal deepens Esquire’s Northeast presence (including Boston and New York City) and brings additional complex-litigation expertise and client relationships to the combined business.

bundle acquired Rosenberg LPA LLC, combining two national real estate document-preparation businesses to create a larger, technology-enabled provider. The transaction was supported by an investment in bundle from Granite Creek Capital Partners in partnership with Knox Capital Holdings to fund the acquisition and accelerate technology and operational integration.

Stowe Family Law, a Livingbridge-backed specialist family law firm, has acquired Chapman Pieri, a Southgate-based family and education law practice. The deal expands Stowe's London presence (adding a Southgate office) and accelerates its nationwide growth strategy as an add-on acquisition supported by Livingbridge.

AEON Law, a Seattle-based intellectual property law firm, has acquired DWC Law Firm and will operate under the AEON Law name with Adam Philipp leading the combined firm. The acquisition adds the experience of James Namiki and DWC's IP prosecution capabilities, expanding AEON Law's patent and trademark service capacity for clients across technical industries.

U.S. Legal Support Inc., a nationwide litigation support provider, has acquired Baton Rouge Court Reporters, LLC, a long-standing court reporting firm serving Louisiana. The acquisition expands U.S. Legal Support's local footprint and resources in the Baton Rouge/Louisiana market and integrates Baton Rouge Court Reporters into its nationwide litigation support network.

Featheringill Capital has acquired Divorce.com, an online divorce platform that offers tools and services to simplify the divorce process across the United States and Canada. Featheringill will provide financial backing and strategic support to scale Divorce.com's offerings and expand its reach.

Arent Fox LLP and Schiff Hardin LLP completed their merger effective March 1, 2022, forming the combined firm ArentFox Schiff. The new firm, led by Anthony V. Lupo, Cristina A. Carvalho and Joseph J. Krasovec III, houses more than 600 lawyers and policy professionals across seven U.S. markets, expanding the firms' transactional, litigation and regulatory capabilities and geographic reach.

Lexitas, a technology-enabled legal support services platform and portfolio company of funds advised by Apax, has acquired Strehlow Court Reporting, a Newtown, Pennsylvania-based provider of court reporting and legal video services. The add-on expands Lexitas’ Court Reporting Division and strengthens its presence in the greater Philadelphia market.

Tempe-based Guidant Law Firm has merged with Mesa-based Brown & Jensen, with Shad Brown and Scott Jensen joining Guidant as partners. The combination expands Guidant's estate planning, probate and tax law capabilities and adds local Arizona offices while keeping headquarters in Tempe.

Ethos, a consumer-focused life insurance technology company, has acquired Seattle-based legaltech startup Tomorrow to integrate wills, trusts, and other estate-planning tools into its customer experience. The acquisition enables Ethos to offer policyholders easy access to estate-planning documents through Tomorrow’s mobile app and web platform, expanding Ethos’ post-purchase product capabilities.

Michael Best announced a strategic combination with Forrest Firm, adding 23 lawyers and 13 professionals and bringing seven North Carolina offices into the firm. The move significantly expands Michael Best’s presence across North Carolina and complements its Venture Best practice serving startups and high-growth companies.

California law firm Weintraub Tobin merged with boutique healthcare law firm Salem & Green effective January 1, 2022, expanding Weintraub's corporate and healthcare capabilities. Three Salem & Green attorneys — Julie E. Green, Christopher F. Anderson, and Jeanne L. Vance — joined Weintraub's Corporate Group to broaden its healthcare M&A, regulatory and transactional practices.