Making it easier to grow your law firm

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This section covers succession, specialisation, mergers, selling a law firm, becoming a partner, and business structure

How to plan and execute the process of starting up a new legal practice that is compliant and financially healthy

How to set up your firm’s systems to provide the information that enables you to improve profitability and cashflow

How to avoid professional negligence claims, with examples of common problems and suggested solutions. Plus FAQs on PII

This section only covers SRA Accounts Rules and GDPR at the moment. Compliance for start-ups is covered in the Starting up...

How to protect your law firm from cyber attacks. What steps to take if your systems are hacked

How to recruit and retain a team that is both happy and highly effective, dealing with the HR issues along the way

In marketing, like anything, you need to get the basics right. Otherwise the time and money you invest in marketing will be wasted

How to win new clients, make the most of existing relationships, encourage referrals and generate new leads

How to approach creating a law firm website that works, from agreeing your objectives to making sure you get the results you want

Why lawyers need to know about social media, how to make the most of the opportunities and how to avoid potential pitfalls

How to use PR to build your firm’s reputation; and how to create cost-effective advertising – traditional and online – that delivers results

Law firm financing options

Headshot of Andy Poole

Andy Poole, partner in accountants Armstrong Watson, lists the types of finance available to law firms. (Updated 8 August 2024)

 

1. Overdraft/flexible line of credit. Flexible way to manage day-to-day cashflow shortfalls, though not the best way to finance longer-term borrowing requirements.

2. Fixed term loan. Secured or unsecured borrowing over an agreed term, often up to ten years. Typically used as core financing for growing the firm or a specific purpose (eg buying out a partner’s equity, investing in new technologies or funding premises refurbishment).

3. Factoring/invoice discounting. Allows the firm to borrow against outstanding invoices – typically where payment is due within one or two months. A good tool for funding a growing case load, but law firms can find this kind of financing difficult to arrange.

4. Asset finance. Hire purchase and leasing arrangements to spread the cost of vehicles and equipment (such as computer systems). Typically covers up to 80% of asset cost.

5. Commercial mortgage. Long-term financing secured against the firm’s premises – either for premises acquisition or to release capital tied up in an existing property.

6. Soft loans/grants. Provided on favourable terms by funders interested in supporting your business. Limited availability, but some funding may be available – for example, local authority or Local Enterprise Partnership loans that encourage local employment growth.

7. Specialist loans. A variety of types of financing for particular purposes, such as short-term loans to fund professional indemnity, tax and VAT (spreading out the payment, to ease cashflow) and litigation or disbursement financing (often on a non-recourse basis). Often provided by specialist lenders with legal sector expertise.

8. Partner funding. Partners can use existing savings (or personal borrowing) to finance the firm. Often the most realistic way of financing a small start-up practice.

9. Equity investment. Capital from third-party investors such as business angels or strategic partners, who take a stake in the firm as either passive or active investors.

10. Arranging loans for clients. Certain funders will provide law firm clients with loans to pay their legal bills, which law firms can arrange on behalf of their clients. This typically covers work types such as probate and family work, where there is an asset that can be used to fund the cost of legal advice but the asset cannot be realised until the end of the legal process. Funders can use the asset as security, and law firms can then be paid as services are provided rather than at the end of the matters.

 

(Note: 221 people registered for the webinar 'How to finance your future success' in September 2023. See/hear the recording.)

 

Why do law firms choose Armstrong Watson?

It’s because this accountancy firm has built an outstanding reputation in the legal sector, working as preferred partner of the Law Society.

 

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