A boutique UK law firm that advised on Chelsea's record-breaking sale has sold a minority stake to Cordillera Investment Partners, a San Francisco-based private equity group. Northridge Law, whose clients include Premier League clubs like Chelsea, has taken the investment as private capital increasingly targets both the legal and sports sectors.

Cordillera's investment gives it a board seat at Northridge and comes amid growing private equity interest in professional services. The deal highlights how firms like CVC and KKR are investing heavily in sports, with KKR's recent $1.4 billion acquisition of sports investment group Arctos Partners. Northridge, founded in 2017, has been involved in major sports transactions including Chelsea's 2022 sale and Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr.

The 44-lawyer firm projects its revenues of £13.4 million in 2025 will more than double by 2030. Cordillera, which typically invests in niche assets uncorrelated with equity markets, sees law firms as potential investments. The firm may open a London office and is exploring further investments in the "toll takers" of sports deals.