News

Today marks the launch of AGRD Partners, a new legal group formed by some of Sweden’s leading business law firms in a joint initiative focused on innovation, technology and smart collaboration to deliver greater value to clients. The group is backed by private equity firm Axcel and aims to grow in Sweden and internationally.

A new challenger has entered the Swedish legal services market. Backed by Axcel, AGRD Partners brings together six leading law firms in an innovative new group, offering corporate and commercial legal advice including public and private M&A, banking and finance, technology, real estate, employment law and related fields. With around 250 professionals across eight offices, the group aims to drive progress in a sector long shaped by tradition.

“Business law continues to rely on traditional structures and established ways of working. While there is clear potential to generate business value through smart collaboration and new technology, the industry remains conservative, with tradition often taking precedence. AGRD Partners brings together leading business law firms with a strong focus on innovation, aiming to narrow the gap between client needs of the future and what the market typically delivers,” says Maria-Pia Hope, Chair of the Board at AGRD Partners.

A coalition of six leading firms
The six law firms that have come together to form AGRD Partners are Allié, Born, Morris Law, Next, Synch and TM & Partners. The firms will collaborate closely to implement technological innovation, skills development, and new client offerings across the group. Each firm will retain its name and
continue operating independently, while joint initiatives will be carried out under the AGRD Partners platform.

A central management team and board are now being formed to reflect the group’s ambition and respond to a rapidly changing legal landscape. The board is chaired by Maria-Pia Hope, who brings decades of leadership experience and industry insight, most recently as Managing Partner at Vinge.

The legal sector is undergoing a shift driven by evolving client needs and technological advancements. For business law firms, private equity ownership offers a model for navigating and seizing the opportunities of this evolving landscape.

“With AGRD Partners, we see an opportunity to shape the future of business law in Sweden and beyond. There is a growing international trend of external capital and new strategic ownership reshaping and strengthening the legal sector, much like developments in the audit sector. By bringing together several of Sweden’s top business law firms and enabling substantial structural investments, we are creating a powerful partnership with the potential to transform the business law landscape in Sweden,” says Axcel Partner Björn Larsson.

Modernising legal services outside traditional frameworks
Unlike in countries such as the UK, Swedish regulations restrict law firms from accepting external capital. As a result, lawyers within AGRD Partners who are currently members of the Swedish Bar Association will resign their membership to allow for external ownership, long-term investment and innovation.

“The decision to leave the Bar Association does not reflect any criticism and is solely a result of Swedish regulatory requirements. To ensure the high standard of service expected from top-tier business lawyers, the firms within AGRD Partners will instead adhere to an extensive, newly developed Code of Conduct,” says Maria-Pia Hope.

For more information
Maria-Pia Hope, Chair of the Board, AGRD Partners
maria-pia.hope@agrdpartners.com
+46-768 500 736

Daniel Olsson, press contact
daniel.olsson@plus1.se
+46-763 094 688

About AGRD Partners
AGRD Partners is an alliance of six of Sweden’s leading business law firms: Allié, Born, Morris Law, Next, Synch and TM & Partners. By combining deep industry expertise with a shared commitment to innovation, technology and strategic investments, we strengthen our ability to deliver legal services of the highest quality. AGRD Partners brings together the resources and vision to reshape business law.