The Evolving International Legal Market
Kingsley Napley has unveiled a new strategic advisory service called ‘Stratify’ aimed at providing expert regulatory guidance to private equity firms, investors, and C-suite leadership in the UK and international legal market.
The move comes as the legal services landscape continues to evolve, with traditional business models diversifying and new players entering the field.
Kingsley Napley has a strong litigation and regulatory practice and has handled some of the most significant legal cases in the UK.
The firm’s Legal Services Regulatory team, known for its defense work and regulatory advice to law firms, has been expanding its services in recent years and have increasingly advised entities looking to invest in or manage legal sector firms on regulatory implications of various business structures and authorization processes.
To bolster its strategic advisory capabilities, Kingsley Napley has brought on board Crispin Passmore, (pictured) a consultant and former director at the Solicitors Regulation Authority, Legal Services Board, and Legal Services Commission. Passmore, who has been running his own successful consultancy for six years, will now offer his expertise under the ‘Stratify’ banner.
Iain Miller, Head of Kingsley Napley’s Legal Services Regulatory team, highlighted the growing demand for strategic advice on optimal regulatory structures and risk profiles in the rapidly changing legal market.
The firm already advises a diverse client base, including private equity firms, US law firms, and tech start-up founders, on regulatory aspects of their interests in the UK legal market.
Crispin Passmore emphasized the timeliness of Stratify’s launch, noting the unprecedented changes in the legal market and the significant interest in opportunities within legal services.
The new service aims to put regulatory considerations at the heart of strategic business planning for both new and established providers.
Stratify’s offerings will include strategic advice on start-ups, acquisitions, and investments in the UK, US, and international legal markets, as well as research into client purchasing behavior and existing provider business models.
The service will also provide regulatory and risk due diligence for potential investors, guidance on business structure and regulatory implications, assistance with applications and regulatory authorization, and advice on compliance with legal services regulatory rules across various jurisdictions.
The firm’s media statement about its new service is below –
Kingsley Napley is today launching a new service called ‘Stratify’ offering top-flight strategic regulatory advice for private equity firms, other investors and C-suite leadership on the UK and international legal market.
The firm has long had a highly regarded Legal Services Regulatory team which is expert in defence work and advising law firms on their regulatory obligations. In the last few years they have also advised those buying, funding and managing legal sector firms on the regulatory implications of different business structures and the regulatory authorisation process.
The team will now be joined by respected consultant and former SRA, Legal Services Board and Legal Services Commission Director Crispin Passmore (pictured) to bolster the strategic advisory side of this work. After six years running his own successful Passmore Consulting business, Crispin will in future offer strategic advice under the Kingsley Napley ‘Stratify’ banner.
Iain Miller, Head of Kingsley Napley’s Legal Services Regulatory team, comments:
This is a fascinating time for the legal market. As regulatory frameworks continue to evolve here and internationally, traditional business models and players are diversifying so there is growing demand for strategic advice on the optimal regulatory structure and risk-profile to achieve business goals.
We already advise an array of clients including private equity firms, US law firms, tech start-up founders and others on the regulatory aspects of their interest in the UK legal market, in addition to existing law firm management considering changes to their practice structure or the services they offer.
Crispin coming on-board will enhance our offering. He has impeccable credentials in this area, impressive international connections and together we have a uniquely expert service for clients.”
Crispin Passmore, Senior Consultant at Kingsley Napley, says:
I am delighted to be combining forces with the excellent Kingsley Napley Legal Regulatory team and formalising an already strong working relationship.
The time is right for Stratify. Funders and new entrants to the legal market need advice on the regulatory landscape and existing law firm leaders are aware there may be smarter options for how they structure their business to keep pace with regulatory developments. This spans not only those with interests in the UK but US and other international markets too.
The legal market is undergoing unprecedented change and there is significant interest in the opportunities in legal services right now. Stratify will enable us to advise new and established providers during this exciting transition phase, putting regulatory considerations at the heart of strategic business planning.”
Kingsley Napley ‘Stratify’ will work with private equity and other investors, C-suite law firm management and Boards, start-up founders, new market entrants and even overseas regulators to offer the following services:
- Strategic advice on start-ups/acquisitions /investments in the UK, US and international legal markets
- Research into client purchasing behaviour and business models of existing providers
- Regulatory and risk due diligence for those seeking to acquire or invest in a UK/US/international legal services provider
- Business structure and regulatory implications
- Applications and regulatory authorisation
- Compliance with UK/US and international legal services regulatory rules.
