Special Counsel, a provider of legal staffing and eDiscovery solutions, has acquired of D4 -- which specializes in eDiscovery managed services, information governance, computer forensics and deposition solutions. Special Counsel confirmed the deal this week. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Together, the companies will offer eDiscovery and litigation support across an international footprint, bringing global perspective to the legal industry, Special Counsel said.
D4 is based in Rochester, New York. That office and the D4 brand will remain intact. Moreover, D4 founder and CEO John Holland will remain in that position. The company has a presence across the U.S. along with a footprint in Shanghai, China.
Special Counsel is based in Jacksonville, Florida but recently expanded into London. The company's existing eDiscovery division, eQ, will remain dedicated to its clients, the companies said.
Mergers, Acquisitions and eDiscovery Expertise
eDiscovery has been a hot market segment for M&A activity. For instance, Epiq Systems and DTI merged in July 2016 as part of a $1 billion deal funded by OMERS Private Equity and Harvest Partners LP. Epiq and DTI both specialize in eDiscovery for the legal vertical, while offering a blend of managed services and legal process outsourcing (LPO) capabilities.
Other eDiscovery deals over the past two years have included:
- In January 2016, the Carlyle Group and venture capital firm Revolution Growth acquired Virginia-based LDiscovery for a reported $150 million.
- In December 2015, Consilio acquired Huron Legal for $112 million, its third deal after the Los Angeles private equity firm Shamrock Capital Advisors purchased a majority stake in August.
- In December 2015, the patent risk management company RPX purchased Inventus Solutions in a $232 million deal.
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