Global accountancy giant EY acquires Wirral-based ‘disruptive’ law firm
From its headquarters in Bromborough, Riverview Law provides fixed-fee legal services for blue-chip clients and is a market leader in the utilisation of digital technology. Tony McDonough reports
A Wirral-based specialist law firm with offices in Manchester, London and New Jersey in the US has been acquired by global accountancy giant EY.
From its headquarters in Bromborough, where it employs 80 people, Riverview Law provides fixed-fee legal services for a range of blue-chip clients and has established itself as a market leader in the utilisation of digital technology.
EY moved into the legal market in 2014 and already employs more than 2,200 legal practitioners across its global network of offices. It has bought Riverview for an undisclosed sum.
Once the acquisition is complete by the end of this month, Riverview will be known as EY Riverview Law. Its chief executive will be Chris Price, currently EY global head of alliances – tax.
Current Riverview chief executive Karl Chapman, said: “The legal profession is going through a period of significant global upheaval. Changes in regulation, technology and most importantly customer expectation create an opportunity for a more flexible and customer-centric approach to the provision of legal services.
“Becoming part of EY is a real strategic fit for our team and is in line with our commitment to deliver world-class service and counsel to Riverview Law clients. As part of EY, we will have even greater resources to help them drive business outputs from their legal inputs.”
Riverview has a strong technology practice that uses a “disruptive” software from Kim Technologies for delivery of its legal services.
Cornelius Grossmann, EY Global Law Leader, added: “Legal managed services is one of the fastest-growing segments of the legal market. This acquisition underlines the position of EY as a leading disruptor of legal services.
“It will provide a springboard for current EY legal managed services offerings and bolster the capabilities that we can help deliver for EY clients.”