McDonald Hopkins announces full-service Law Firm Capital Solutions Practice Group as law firm financing enters new era
McDonald Hopkins LLC is proud to announce the expansion of its Law Firm Capital Solutions Practice to include the emerging trend of private investment in law firms. By including equity-driven transactions in its practice, McDonald Hopkins’ Law Firm Capital Solutions Practice Group is one of the first of its kind, positioned for both debt and equity solutions for legal enterprises.
The legal market is changing and, as a business model, the relatively low overhead, recurring cash flows, and high gross margins make law firms appealing to private investors, particularly those implementing a Management Services Organization (MSO) structure as an alternative model.
“Many firms are starting to consider outside equity as source of capital to fund growth, technology, marketing, and other initiatives,” said Marc Carmel, Co-Chair of the Law Firm Capital Solutions Practice Group. “Nontraditional investment can drive growth. For some, that growth comes from securing debt commitments. For others, it means partnering with outside investors to scale, attract new talent, or launch a new firm altogether,” he said.
A full-service Law Firm Capital Solutions practice is a natural next step for McDonald Hopkins. The firm’s acclaimed litigation finance team, which represents funders, law firms, plaintiffs, and other parties, together with its M&A group’s decades of experience handling MSO and equity investment transactions in the healthcare space, uniquely positions McDonald Hopkins to represent clients reviewing the full suite of capital raising options.
“Our team has spent years guiding clients through these transactions in the physician practice space, and that experience gives us invaluable insight into how these structures can be tailored for law firms,” said Christal Contini, Chair of McDonald Hopkins’ Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group. “We understand the regulatory challenges, the operational demands, and the opportunities these models create.”
The group is led by award-winning, highly sought-after attorneys Marc Carmel, Christal Contini, and David Agay, who is also the Chair of McDonald Hopkins’ Strategic Advisory and Restructuring Department. It also includes top talent in M&A, tax, executive compensation, and intellectual property. Together, they are equipped to navigate the regulatory and ethical complexities of non-lawyer investment in law firms.
“We always say McDonald Hopkins is a destination for entrepreneurial thinking, and this new group is a testament to that. We saw the market demand and recognized that our experience makes us the right team for this work. I don’t believe there is another full-service law firm with the depth and breadth we bring to this niche,” said Agay.
As private investment begins to reshape the financial future of law firms, McDonald Hopkins stands ready to guide clients through this evolving landscape with the experience, insight, and strategic vision they need to succeed.
