5 Law Firms That Actually Get Startups & Scale-ups

If you’re a startup or scale-up in the UK and you’ve hit that “we’ve outgrown the templates” moment, you’re not alone. High-growth companies need lawyers who understand fundraising speed, messy cap tables, and the reality that contracts are often signed at midnight.

The good news? You don’t need a mega-firm to get that expertise. There’s a circle of founder friendly UK law firms that are raved about - firms built for startups, scale-ups, and high-growth teams.

Founders Law: Fintech & Startup specialists

Why they stand out: Their leaders have founded, led, invested and exited businesses. They get it. They’re set up for venture deals, fintech regulation, and C-suite problem-solving.

Best suited to: Fintech, data-led SaaS, and scaling companies who want lawyers that communicate clearly and keep things moving.

Reviews: ★★★★★ (5.0/5 from 54 reviews). One Google review mentioned: “Great service from Tom and Katrina I would highly recommend Founders Law”

EM Law: Commercial & Tech law

Why they stand out: Based in Shoreditch, EM Law call themselves problem-solvers, and that’s how clients describe them too. They’re compact, partner-led, and used to dealing with everything from AI/data contracts to commercial disputes.

Best for: Startups moving into scale-up territory, needing solid contracts, corporate hygiene, and data/privacy expertise.

Reviews: ★★★★★ (4.9/5 from 34 reviews).

Highlight: “Fast, professional, efficient, and friendly.”

Ignition Law: B Corp with a pragmatic edge

Why they stand out: Ignition Law is certified B Corp, leans heavily into “no-nonsense and pragmatic”, and markets a “rich ecosystem of partners, experts and friends.” That means legal advice plus intros into a founder-friendly network.

Best for: Early-stage and high-growth companies across sustainability, healthtech, and scale-up fundraising.

Reviews: ★★★★☆ (4.4/5 from 33 reviews). One client: “Very knowledgeable, efficient, and determined to achieve the right outcome.”

Buckworths: Startup-only law firm

Why they stand out: Buckworths bill themselves as the only UK law firm working exclusively with startups and high-growth businesses. That focus makes them sharp on SEIS/EIS, fundraising and EMI option schemes.

Best for: Seed and Series A raises, incentive schemes, and companies that want a lawyer who’s done this hundreds of times before.

Reviews: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5 from 13 reviews). One client said "Brilliant lawyer - very generous with his time."

Gannons: Commercial pragmatists with senior access

Why they stand out: Gannons is a boutique that keeps partner access front and centre. They cover incentives, corporate structures, shareholder agreements, and disputes - without endless layers of juniors.

Best for: Share option schemes, messy shareholder issues, or when you need senior legal judgement fast.

Reviews: ★★★★★ (4.9/5 from 440 reviews). One founder noted: “Service was slick, professional and friendly.”

⭐ Special Mention

(Because not every founder needs a full-blown law firm just yet.)

The firms above are great once you’re into the rhythm of scaling, SuLe is the one we recommend for founders before they hit that point.

SuLe is a legal platform that provides access to on-demand lawyers, practical legal support, and customisable legal templates, at transparent and affordable prices.

All legal support on SuLe is delivered by experienced, vetted lawyers, in a product-led, founder-friendly way, focused on speed, clarity, and cost-effectiveness, without compromising on quality.

How to use this list

• Pick by fit, not just fame. Founders Law for fintech and regulated work. Gannons for incentives or shareholder tangles. EM Law or Ignition if contracts and data keep you awake at night. Buckworths if you’re raising early. SuLe if you need fast, affordable advice before you’re ready for a full-service firm.

• Ask for founder-style engagements. Fixed fees or capped scopes, direct access to senior lawyers, and clear turnaround times. All normal. All negotiable.

• Start small. Test chemistry on one piece of work - a contract review, an EMI refresh, a fundraising pack - before committing bigger mandates.

Why we made this list

Founders and scale-up leaders don’t need another generic “Top 10 law firms in the UK” post. They need a short, sharp guide to the people who actually understand high-growth companies - firms who move quickly, cut the noise, and support teams building something that matters.

That’s exactly who’s on this list.

Need exceptional talent to go with your exceptional lawyers?

Motive Group acts as an extension of your team to help you hire the right talent at the right time, with a process that’s clear, efficient and grounded in your mission.

If you want a sounding board, intros, or help shaping your next hiring round, we’re here.