Law Society lands funding to boost US market entry

News

The Law Society of England and Wales secured vital funding provided by the Department for Business & Trade (DBT) to expand market access for UK solicitors and law firms operating in California and Florida.

UK lawyers provide world class expertise and we're excited to explore opportunities for them to strengthen the US legal market.

The fund is provided by the DBT’s Market Access Programme and is available to trade experts and embassies around the world to tackle barriers*.

The Law Society will be using finances granted from the Ricardo Fund, part of the government’s 2025 trade strategy, to help remove obstacles and unlock opportunities for UK exporters and law firms operating abroad**.

This initiative builds on the success of the Regulatory Partnership for Growth Fund pilot***.

Law Society president Richard Atkinson said: “We welcome this funding that will help us create business opportunities for UK solicitors and law firms in the California and Florida legal markets.

“In California, we need to address barriers that slow down progress in opening up the market for UK solicitors.

“Our visit to Florida will focus on strengthening our relationships with regulators and other stakeholders****.

"We need to make it easier for UK firms to invest in Florida as Miami is quickly becoming the legal hub for Latin America and the Caribbean.

“We continue to work closely with our membership and value our relationships with international regulators and legal organisations.

"We are pleased to see our work acknowledged and supported with this critical funding that will lead to better and bigger business opportunities for UK law firms.

"By helping UK solicitors work abroad, we boost economic growth and job creation at home.”

Minister for trade policy Douglas Alexander said: “The UK is home to some of the best solicitors and law firms in the world, highly sought after around the globe for their expertise.

“As exports of UK legal services continues to grow, our trade strategy will unlock new opportunities for British law firms to sell more abroad. 

“The funding for the Law Society, delivered under our new Ricardo Fund, will help remove barriers and make it easier for UK firms as they set their sights on expanding into the US market.”

Notes to editors

*Learn more about the Department for Business and Trade.

** Learn more about the Ricardo Fund’s role in the 2025 Trade Strategy.

*** Learn more about the pilot Regulatory Partnership for Growth fund

**** The Law Society’s visits to California and Florida will be taking place in early 2026.