We instructed ZebraLC to carry out the technical and WIP due diligence in the acquisition of Lees. Zebra has an excellent reputation in personal injury WIP valuation. The project gave us an invaluable insight to the Firm.  Zoe and her team work in a discreet manner and follow a strict confidentiality protocol which is imperative in law firm acquisition. I recommend them highly.

ZebraLC™ was recommended to Fairpoint PLC as niche experts in WIP and technical due diligence with a unique offering. Assessing the recoverability and cash conversion of the WIP of the acquisition target formed a key part of our overall due diligence programme. Understanding and diligencing complex legal matters across a variety of contingent and non-contingent work-types required a particular blend of legal and financial expertise and this is exactly what ZebraLC brought to the evaluation process. Zoe and her team worked to tight deadlines and operated in a discreet and confidential manner, an absolute imperative for a publicly quoted company such as Fairpoint. We look forward to working with ZebraLC again.

Zoe Holland and her team at Zebra Legal Consulting are enjoying unparalleled success in their business accruement and due diligence of law firms.

Having just been audited by Zebra it has been the most thorough audit ever conducted on my firm. This audit undertakes risk profiling and valuation of WIP as well assessing viability, technical competency and operational risk. The audit also benchmarks where the firm is placed against other due diligence audits carried out by Zebra. Unlike LEXCEL which adopts a procedural based compliance, Zebra’s review assesses the true value of work in progress, quality and profitability of work, viability of files, staff skill sets, and case duration to name but a few.

The industry recognises that the lifeblood of the law firm of the future is in its quality, expertise, low operational risk, financial management and healthy asset base (profitable work and highly valuable WIP). These are the areas that banks and professional indemnity insurers are looking at more closely.

It was our decision to change our banking facilities from the Coop, who we have enjoyed a long and good relationship with. We recognised for the Firm to grow and develop and take advantage of various opportunities change was necessary. From four potential contenders it became clear that the Yorkshire bank was the forerunner and it was the Yorkshire who initiated the full audit.

The team of 6 went through everything in the office warts and all over a 2-day period. The audit team included Zoe and other senior injury practitioners; including specialists with national reputations, and ratings in Legal 500 and Chambers. The fact that Zoe’s team is discreet, and confidential was of significant importance to my management team.

To be audited by your peer group is daunting. The independent review has been invaluable. We knew we would pass but what we did not expect was to receive the first ever “A” rating for a law firm. This has given my teams and me the confidence that we are doing it right. We also took on board recommendations made within the report, as continual business improvement is key to our future strategy. Further, the Yorkshire bank can be satisfied that they know my business as a new client inside out from day one.

Making sure that we carry out the right level of Due Diligence is massively important to us. Identifying the correct partner to work with can also be a challenge. We have to make sure that the DD advisor understands what we want to achieve and they have to balance our demands with the pressure felt by vendors during the process. When we worked with Zebra myself and my team were massively impressed with many facets of their business. Zebra understood our strategy. They were able to identify where the pressure points of the vendor might be and they also made some very helpful suggestions regarding post completion matters. In addition the report was thorough and crucially delivered on time. The report and our working relationship provided us with the comfort that we needed in order to progress the transaction and to satisfy our private equity sponsors and lenders.

Zebra carried out a WIP valuation and risk profiling project on our firm. The end to end process was very impressive from NDA, through to scoping, field audit and final report.  The initial scoping of the project was excellent and ensured a commercial approach. The final report was comprehensive and demonstrated a clear understanding of our firm across a wide range of practice areas. At the helm, Zoe has surrounded herself with an impressive team. Zebra provide a unique, excellent service. I recommend them highly.