MJ Hudson founder Matthew Hudson

MJ Hudson, the private equity-backed law firm founded by former SJ Berwin partner Matthew Hudson, has expanded with the acquisition of two businesses.

The London-based firm, which was founded in 2010 with financing from several external investors, has acquired investment advisory firm Allenbridge and outsourced fund management provider Tower Gate Capital, both for undisclosed fees.

Hudson, who also previously led the London offices of US firms O'Melveny & Myers and Proskauer Rose, said the acquisitions "significantly enhance" the firm's offering. "Our goal is to build the pre-eminent advisory and infrastructure business in alternative assets," he said. "We can now offer fund managers, advisers, institutional investors and others a comprehensive asset management and investment infrastructure."

Having initially launched as a specialist investment funds law firm, MJ Hudson last year broadened its practice to provide alternative assets clients with a range of advisory and infrastructure services. It employs more than 100 professionals across offices in London, Paris, Zurich and the offshore jurisdictions of Jersey and Guernsey – all key centres for European funds.

Following the addition of Allenbridge and Tower Gate, the firm now acts for more than 400 fund managers and investors, which collectively own or manage in excess of $870bn in assets.

MJ Hudson is one of a handful of UK practices to have taken advantage of external investment after converting to an alternative business structure, which permits non-lawyers to hold stakes in law firms.

The firm's external investors, which include UK-based investment companies Gresham House, Somers and Polygon, share a 25% stake in the business. The remaining 75% is held by Hudson and the firm's management, while staff are also entitled to buy stock via an employee share programme.