Consumer law firm Jacoby & Meyers will soon be the first U.S.-based consumer law firm to expand internationally.

The firm announced its plans last week to expand to Europe through a joint venture with London-based private equity and corporate law firm MJ Hudson. The new U.K. office will be called Jacoby & Meyers Europe and is the first step in the firm's global expansion plan.

“The intent will be to offer a full range of consumer services, everything from personal injury to commoditized legal products” such as online legal forms, Jacoby & Meyers Partner Keith Givens told the Wall Street Journal Law Blog. Givens added that the firm is the first in the U.S. to take advantage of changes under the U.K.'s Legal Services Act that permit more flexible forms of law firm ownership, including accepting outside investment.

Jacoby & Meyers currently has more than 130 offices across the U.S. and also offers services online.

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