HF has finalised a strategic investment deal with private equity firm CBPE, securing regulatory approval for a minority stake sale first announced in December 2024.
The investment is expected to fuel HF’s expansion plans and strengthen its position as a technology-driven legal services provider for the insurance and commercial sectors.
HF, one of the few law firms structured as a limited company, operates an all-employee share scheme, ensuring majority ownership remains with its workforce. The firm stated that this structure would preserve its focus on client service, technological innovation, and employee development.
The company has been expanding both organically and through acquisitions, with a strong emphasis on AI-driven legal solutions via its subsidiary, HighFive. HF CEO and managing partner Ronan McCann said the deal would accelerate these efforts.
“We’re excited to receive regulatory approval to complete this deal, which will fast forward our growth plans as well as our investment in innovative technology, our service and our people,” McCann said. “We’re now looking forward to working with CBPE as a trusted partner who shares our ambition as well as having a culture and values that align with ours.”
Meanwhile, CBPE partners Richard Thompson and Naveen Passi highlighted the firm’s growth potential. “HF is a people and client-focused business and stands out for its innovative approach to both technology and legal expertise,” they said. “This new phase gives us the exciting opportunity to drive further organic growth, investment in technology and targeted M&A to expand its service offering.”
The investment follows a period of expansion for HF. In January 2025, the firm reported a huge increase in revenue from its Northern Ireland operations, adding a significant new offering with the acquisition of Quigg Golden at the end of 2024.
The following month, it opened a new office in Birmingham to strengthen its UK presence. HF also launched its tenth annual legal apprenticeship scheme, offering 10 new positions as part of its strategy to develop talent in the sector.
With CBPE’s backing, HF aims to build on its recent momentum, expanding its services, investing in technology, and positioning itself as a leader in the evolving legal services market.
