Editor’s Note: In a strategic expansion of its global footprint, Elevate, the Los Angeles-based alternative legal service provider, has acquired CJK Group, marking a significant enhancement in its multilingual legal services offerings. This acquisition is particularly pivotal for professionals in cybersecurity, information governance, and eDiscovery, as it underscores Elevate’s commitment to addressing the intricate challenges of non-English language eDiscovery and document review. The integration of CJK’s expertise in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean legal matters into Elevate’s broad array of services is set to revolutionize the capabilities of legal professionals dealing with cross-border litigation, investigations, and due diligence. This move not only demonstrates Elevate’s proactive stance in a globalized legal market but also fortifies its position as a leader in delivering comprehensive, culturally-informed legal solutions worldwide.


Content Assessment: Elevate Strengthens Global Presence with CJK Group Acquisition

Information - 91%
Insight - 90%
Relevance - 89%
Objectivity - 88%
Authority - 89%

89%

Good

A short percentage-based assessment of the qualitative benefit expressed as a percentage of positive reception of the recent announcement by Elevate of its acquisition of the CJK Group.


Industry News – Investment Beat

Elevate Strengthens Global Presence with CJK Group Acquisition

ComplexDiscovery Staff

In a move that significantly bolsters its multilingual legal services capabilities, Los Angeles-based alternative legal service provider Elevate has announced the acquisition of CJK Group, a firm specializing in non-English language eDiscovery and document review. The deal, made public on May 7, 2024, represents a key milestone in Elevate’s ongoing growth and diversification strategy.

The acquisition brings together Elevate’s extensive portfolio of software, consulting, and services, which aim to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of law departments and firms worldwide, with CJK’s specialized expertise in navigating legal challenges involving Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages. This powerful combination promises to deliver enhanced services to clients grappling with international legal matters, particularly in the realms of litigation, investigations, and due diligence in cross-border contexts.

According to Jake Hills, Elevate’s Vice President of Discovery, the integration of CJK’s team will bring invaluable linguistic and cultural insights that are crucial for successfully managing the intricacies of Asian cross-border legal matters. This acquisition, Hills notes, substantially enhances Elevate’s capacity to meet the needs of its clients in an increasingly globalized legal landscape.

As part of the acquisition, CJK founder Jonathan Rossi will assume the role of Vice President and co-founder at Elevate, contributing his wealth of experience and leadership to the company’s executive team. Rossi has expressed excitement about the growth opportunities and service expansion potential that the merger presents, particularly in terms of enhanced English language review capabilities and wider geographic reach.

While the financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed, the deal was facilitated by Arbor Ridge Partners, a business broker that specializes in mergers and acquisitions within the legal tech sector. This advisory role was instrumental in ensuring a seamless transition and integration of CJK into Elevate’s broader operational framework.

Liam Brown, Chairman and CEO of Elevate, has emphasized that this acquisition is part of a larger M&A strategy focused on enhancing the company’s capabilities to meet the growing global demand for specialized legal services. The addition of CJK Group, Brown notes, not only strengthens Elevate’s expertise in Asian languages but also cements its position as a leader in the global legal services market, paving the way for continued growth and innovation in the legal sector.

According to ComplexDiscovery, Elevate has a notable track record of strategic acquisitions aimed at expanding its portfolio and deepening its expertise in high-demand areas. Prior to the CJK Group acquisition, Elevate had made several key acquisitions between November 2018 and January 2019, including Cognatio Law, Yerra Solutions, Halebury, Sumati, and LexPredict. Each of these acquisitions brought unique capabilities to the table, ranging from legal resourcing to advanced legal technology, allowing Elevate to provide a more comprehensive suite of services and expand its market reach across various regions and legal disciplines.

The integration of CJK Group into Elevate’s global operations is expected to be a smooth process, given the shared values and commitment to delivering high-quality, efficient legal services. The combined entity will leverage its expanded capabilities to better serve clients facing complex, multi-jurisdictional legal challenges, particularly those involving Asian languages and cross-border matters.

As the legal industry continues to evolve and adapt to the demands of an increasingly interconnected world, Elevate’s acquisition of CJK Group positions the company at the forefront of providing cutting-edge, multilingual legal services. This strategic move not only strengthens Elevate’s market position but also sets the stage for further innovation and growth in the global legal services sector.

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