An AI-powered legal tech platform, backed by Google’s venture capital arm, has acquired UK-based Woodstock Legal Services – marking the first time an AI platform has taken over a law firm.
Lawhive, a legal tech business backed by Google’s venture capital arm, has announced the acquisition of Woodstock Legal Services, bringing more than 50 of its lawyers onto the AI-driven platform.
Finalised this week, the deal marks a landmark moment for the legal industry, with Lawhive describing it as the “first-ever” takeover of an “SRA-regulated law firm by an AI-native legal tech platform” – a move likely to send ripples across the profession.
Founded in 2019, Lawhive provides legal services across 12 consumer law practice areas – including family, civil litigation, and property – and currently supports over 200 lawyers.
This news comes on the heels of Lawhive’s late-2024 funding round, which raised nearly £40 million and was co-led by existing investors Google Ventures and TQ Ventures to fuel the company’s expansion into the US market.
The acquisition of Woodstock, which operates under a consultancy model and specialises in property law and conveyancing, marks Lawhive’s official entry into the regulated legal services market.
While announcing the news on LinkedIn and describing the acquisition as a “landmark”, Lawhive added that it is more than that, calling it “proof that the future of law is being built right now”.
As widely reported by UK media outlets, Lawhive co-founder and CEO Pierre Proner said: “We are demonstrating that technology can support and enhance the best aspects of legal practice while creating communities where lawyers shape how that technology evolves.
“We believe that Lawhive’s vertically integrated model of a regulated law firm and tech platform for lawyers to work alongside AI colleagues creates better outcomes for everyone.”
Woodstock founder Carly Jermyn described the deal as a chance to scale the firm’s vision and impact, while staying true to the values that have guided it from the very beginning.
“This partnership is about scaling that vision with the right kind of technology – AI that enhances our skills and values, rather than eroding them,” Jermyn said, according to Sky News.
“What makes it unique is that our lawyers will have the opportunity to shape the tools they use every day, instead of having them imposed on them.”
Also announcing the acquisition on LinkedIn, Woodstock emphasised that its way of operating will remain unchanged, while Lawhive’s AI technology will strengthen the firm’s ability to support both clients and lawyers.
“Since 2014, we’ve built a community of lawyers who care about giving clients clear advice and genuine support. That won’t change. What this step adds is the strength of Lawhive’s cutting-edge technology and AI,” the UK-based firm said.
“By reducing the admin that slows legal work down, we can support our lawyers and consultants to focus their time and energy where it matters most – delivering expert advice and support for our clients.”
