GHJ supported a leading investment company in enhancing its portfolio through a minority investment in a seasoned financial leadership services provider. Laird Norton Company, a family-owned enterprise that invests in private businesses and real estate companies, recently invested in CFO Selections, a professional services firm, to support its growth and mission. GHJ acted as the buy-side advisor to Laird Norton. 

The transaction reflects current momentum in the professional services sector, where firms with specialized expertise, recurring client relationships and scalable advisory models continue to attract strong investor interest. With sustained M&A activity across the sector, investors and strategic buyers are actively seeking platforms with differentiated service offerings and regional strength.

CFO Selections was founded in 2002 to serve clients across the Pacific Northwest and has since expanded into other regions, with robust fractional CFO and controller services, financial consulting and executive search solutions.

This minority investment strengthens Seattle-headquartered Laird Norton’s presence in the region and builds on its portfolio of financial services businesses.

Laird Norton has partnered with growing organizations for nearly 170 years and, today, works across business services, distribution, consumer products and services, and financial services industries. Its dedicated focus on preserving legacies allows the investment company to provide support and liquidity without sacrificing an organization’s culture. 

GHJ’s Transaction Advisory Services Practice advised Laird Norton, providing financial and tax diligence and strategic guidance throughout the transaction process.

“CFO Selections has built a name for itself in the middle-market across the Pacific Northwest region and beyond,” said Ed Skiber, principal in GHJ’s Transaction Advisory Services Practice. “We continue to see strong activity and investor interest across the professional services landscape, particularly among firms with differentiated advisory capabilities and long-standing client relationships. We were proud to support Laird Norton in a strategic investment that expands its capabilities and regional impact.”

The transaction closed in April 2026. K&L Gates served as legal counsel to Laird Norton. Davis Wright Tremaine acted as legal counsel to CFO Selections.

GHJ provides comprehensive support for buy- and sell-side transactions with enterprise values ranging from $10 million to $3 billion, including due diligence, valuation, deal structuring and integration guidance.