ETL linked law firm group signals renewed acquisition drive after period of instability
A UK law firm group owned by a global professional services network has signalled that it is preparing to return to active acquisition following a period described by its leader as bumpy. Glaisyers ETL, which forms part of the ETL Global network, plans to re-enter the market once a further period of consolidation is complete.
Glaisyers ETL was formed in 2018 when ETL Global acquired the Manchester-based firm, followed by the purchase of the London firm Laytons in 2021. The group has since expanded through several transactions. In January 2022, it took a minority stake in Wealth Recovery Solicitors, now known as WRS ETL. In March of the same year, Laytons acquired Cannings Connolly. In December 2023, the group took over Quinn Barrow in Liverpool.
ETL Global has a significant presence in the professional services market, with more than 13,000 professionals operating in over 50 countries. In the UK, it has expanded rapidly in accountancy and now has 20 accountancy firms within its network. Glaisyers ETL has a dual role in the relationship, acting both as a member firm and as ETL’s legal adviser for acquisitions.
Embed from Getty Images
David Jones, UK head of legal, said the group now employs 85 people and has a turnover of around £9 million. He said that the legal arm has progressed broadly as expected, but that more work is needed to ensure it becomes the primary provider of legal services to ETL’s network of accountants. He acknowledged that the group had not always communicated its capabilities effectively, in part due to existing relationships between accountants and other law firms.
Jones also described a personal setback following the illness and death of his business partner, David Marlor, two years ago. Marlor had managed the business while Jones acted as its external ambassador. His death meant the structure changed unexpectedly, creating a challenging period. With managing partners now in place at both Glaisyers and Laytons, Jones said he can resume his outward-facing role.
He said the organisation needs around six more months of stability before it resumes acquisitions. Organic growth is already underway, including expansion in dispute resolution and increased corporate activity. The group is also exploring subscription-based services for SME clients through a model known as One ETL. This provides support in areas such as artificial intelligence, financial planning and risk management by drawing on the wider network.
Jones said the focus for future acquisitions will be on practice areas rather than geography. He explained that international clients, who are becoming a larger proportion of the workload, do not place importance on where UK offices are located. He reported growing work from Spain, Poland, the Czech Republic and Italy due to ETL’s international presence.
He said the influence of artificial intelligence is reshaping operations and recruitment. AI is now used to collect client information and produce first drafts of documents. This allows lawyers to spend more time with clients in an account manager-style role. Recruitment priorities have shifted, with greater emphasis on strong interpersonal skills or advanced technological ability among junior candidates.
Jones predicted that AI will eventually reduce the number of trainees required but will also increase the level of investment made in those who are retained. He said trainees should be seen as future partners rather than additional administrative support.