PriceSensitive

AF Legal (ASX:AFL) to merge with Watts McCray

Industrial
ASX:AFL      MCAP $14.60M
11 March 2021 15:20 (AEST)
AF Legal (ASX:AFL)- Executive Chairman, Grant Dearlove

Source: Business News

AF Legal (AFL) has signed an agreement to merge and purchase Watts McCray, one of Australia’s leading family law firms.

Watts has provided Family Law legal services to clients in New South Wales. It has five locations across Greater Sydney and the Australian Capital Territory.

The purchase will see AFL purchase Watts shares for $375,000 million in an upfront cash consideration and $1.1 million in deferred share consideration.

The transaction is expected to be completed in April, but is subject to a due diligence.

Watts recently won Global 100’s “Family Mediation Law Firm of the Year 2021” award, and, according to AF Legal, has some of the markets’ leading and most respected lawyers.

“We have observed how successfully AFL has disrupted the family law market and grown its national footprint since listing on the ASX. Our team shares the same strategic vision for the family law market both in Australia and internationally,” Watts Managing Director Jackie Vincent said.

Meanwhile, AF Legal Executive Chairman Grant Dearlove is excited about the merger.

“This merger with one of Australia’s most recognised family law firms is a significant step in our growth strategy and expands our national footprint to three new locations in Australia’s largest region,” he said.

“We will combine our innovative client acquisition model and NewLaw practice with the pedigree, brand, and legal power of Watts McCray to accelerate our growth,” he added.

On the market this afternoon, AFL is up 4.95 per cent and is trading at 53 cents per share at 2:20 pm AEDT.

Related News