ALSP Lawhive, which provides a mix of legal and legal tech help for clients, has bought Woodstock Legal Services, in a further sign of how the consumer and SMB market is evolving very rapidly now.
Lawhive, which operates in the US and UK, raised over $40m in funding last year, and said that ‘acquiring Woodstock Legal Services, a consultancy-model firm [in the UK], is designed to accelerate the mission to combine human expertise with intelligent technology and AI’.
Lawhive was keen to pitch this as a legal AI company (…as it has an AI assistant called Lawrence…) buying a legal services provider, but as their website sets out: ‘We offer the professionalism you’d expect from a traditional law firm, with the ease and clear process of a modern digital service.’ So, it’s probably better to think of this as a very progressive ALSP, with legal and tech skills that include AI, that is now on an expansion drive to Hoover up other non-traditional legal service providers. I.e. this is an investment-backed (partial) roll-up play.
They are also clear about what the goal is, as they note: ‘The acquisition will target the £25 billion legal market in the UK, including the £2 billion conveyancing market where administrative burdens routinely delay one of life’s biggest decisions – buying a home. Property lawyers spend hours manually filling forms and chasing documents, while stressed clients face uncertain timelines and communication constraints.’
And Woodstock has key strengths in property work….So, that is in part what all the money was for….
Pierre Proner, CEO and co-founder of Lawhive, commented: ‘We’re demonstrating that technology can support and enhance the best aspects of legal practice while creating communities where lawyers shape how that technology evolves. We believe that Lawhive’s vertically integrated model of a regulated law firm and tech platform for lawyers to work alongside AI colleagues, creates better outcomes for everyone.’
And Carly Jermyn, the boss of Woodstock, added: ‘We’ve created a place where lawyers are supported to grow their careers in a way that fits their lives and works for their clients. This partnership is about scaling that vision with the right kind of technology — AI that enhances our skills and values, rather than eroding them. What makes it unique is that our lawyers will have the opportunity to shape the tools they use every day, instead of having them imposed on them.’
Is this a big deal?
Not in itself, as ALSPs buy other non-traditional legal groups from time to time. But, seen in the wider context it all adds up. We have seen:
- Eudia buy ALSP Johnson Hana and launch its own law firm in Arizona.
- The launch of several AI hybrid law firms in the US and UK.
- And ALSPs bringing on AI to help with contract work.
- Plus, PE funds seeking to ‘roll up’ parts of the SMB legal market, in the UK, US and also Europe.
Overall, it indicates a sea change – not a massive one – but still a growing change across the market in terms of business model in the delivery of legal services. Will this all evolve into a tsunami….? We shall see.
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