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, and why developments in the US – including the growing use of managed services organisation (MSO) models – are starting to matter globally.
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 regulatory 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.
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.”
