Private equity company makes latest law firm investment commitment.

Uplift Investors, a private equity company, announced its latest investment commitment in a Georgia-based plaintiffs firm on Tuesday. The partnership utilizes a novel approach to attract external funding without violating professional regulations governing fee sharing between attorneys and non-lawyers.

Uplift, a Connecticut-based private equity company, has welcomed John Foy & Associates into its portfolio through Orion Legal, a management services organization. This marks the third law firm to join Uplift's portfolio under an agreement that will generate fees for Orion Legal as it provides essential back-office support to Foy & Associates. Meanwhile, founder and CEO John Foy retains ownership and control of his law firm.

Orion Legal's partnership with Foy's law firm will not only expand its reach but also enhance its operational efficiency. As part of this agreement, Foy will assume a seat on Orion's National Advisory Board, collaborating with esteemed partners from Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers and Hughes & Coleman Personal Injury Lawyers, both of which have existing deals with the company. This strategic move is expected to bolster the business aspect of Orion Legal, allowing its attorneys to concentrate on core legal services.

Doug Rosenstein, Uplift's managing partner, emphasized that as Orion Legal expands, it increases their capacity to support its partner firms with vital resources such as advanced technology, skilled personnel and efficient operations.

Uplift was founded by Rosenstein in partnership with managing directors Will Hausberg and Bradley Skaf, all of whom had prior experience at Gridiron Capital. The firm now includes another partner company, Orion, listed on its website alongside Uplift's profile.

Chad Dudley, a key figure from Dudley DeBosier, established Orion Legal.

Law firms are subject to restrictions on external ownership and fee sharing with non-lawyers. To circumvent these rules, a management services organization can be established as a separate entity. This allows for investment in the MSO by outside parties, while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements. The law firm then contracts with the MSO for operational support, paying fees from its own revenue streams without compromising attorney fee structures.