Browne Jacobson has advised Aliter Capital, the private equity firm, on a key investment that will help accelerate the growth of a regional law firm into a national operator.

The UK and Ireland law firm worked with Aliter’s legal services portfolio company Orwins during its investment in Clarkslegal, the Reading-based commercial law firm.

Clarkslegal now becomes part of the rapidly growing Manchester-based Orwins group, formerly comprising BBS Law and Carter Bond, which offers a full range of legal services from an expanding office network, targeting high-growth, small-to-medium sized businesses, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals.

Orwins – a new brand identity for the legal services group – aims to at least double in size over the next two years, targeting revenues exceeding £50m.

This is the latest legal sector transaction that Browne Jacobson has supported Aliter on, following previous investments in Manchester-based BBS Law in October 2024 and London-based Carter Bond in August 2025.

The Browne Jacobson team was led by Ryan Brown, Corporate Partner and supported by Daniel Knowles, Corporate Senior Associate, and Benedetta Cocconi, Corporate Associate. Partner Graham Ball and Senior Associate Beth Nixon led on the banking and finance aspects of the deal and Partner Craig Thomas led on the tax aspects.

Ryan said: “This is another landmark investment for Aliter Capital and the Orwins team and signals its ambitious growth trajectory.

“Having supported on the original platform investment, the first bolt-on and now this latest transaction, it’s been clear the continuity of advice has really mattered. We’re now deeply familiar with the team’s strategy, culture and what it takes to get these transactions over the line.

“Clarkslegal is an exceptionally strong firm with a heritage stretching back over a century, a deep client base in the Thames Valley, and a leadership team that will add real depth to the Orwins group.

“It has been a privilege to advise on a deal that will play a significant part in shaping the future of the UK legal services market.”

Clarkslegal is a full-service commercial law firm specialising in employment and immigration, commercial litigation, corporate, and commercial property. The firm's 40-strong team is led by nine partners, serving clients across the Thames Valley and beyond.

Established more than 100 years ago, the firm also operates an office in London and primarily serves SMEs, multinationals and private individuals. All nine current partners at Clarkslegal are remaining with the firm as shareholders in Orwins, reflecting the strength of cultural alignment underpinning the transaction.

Aliter Capital is working closely with the team at Orwins on several further investments this year, aiming to expand the firm's regional coverage across the UK, strengthen existing services and add complementary new services.

Commenting on the investment, Dov Black, Chief Executive at Orwins, said: “From the outset, there was clear cultural alignment between our two firms. Clarkslegal has an entrepreneurial, client focused ethos very similar to our own and a complementary client base. They also have an exceptionally strong, talented team which further enhances the breadth and depth of our service offer.

“The launch of our new identity comes at a pivotal time for the business. We are totally enthused about the new branding, which reflects our core values and creates the ideal foundations for future growth.”

Browne Jacobson has a strong and growing record advising on private equity-backed investments in the professional services sector, including complex, multi-workstream transactions in the legal services market.

Recent deals it has supported on include acting for Broadfield Capital’s on its platform investment in Charlton Baker, a leading provider of accountancy services in the UK, and the owner of construction law specialist Hawkswell Kilvington during its investment by private equity-backed Beyond Law Group.

Orwins and Aliter Capital were also advised by BDO (financial and tax), Stand (commercial and brand development), and Equator (technology).