Family law team switch from DWF to JMW confirmed
The entire family law team of about 15 staff at DWF is to join Manchester-based rival JMW.
JMW yesterday confirmed speculation in the legal press, saying they would take up their posts on May 1.
Three partners from the family law team led by David Pickering gave notice in October, 2017 and agreed to join the already 18-strong family law team at JMW.
JMW said amicable negotiations had been on-going between the two firms.
Nine of the team will be located at JMW’s Spinningfields office and a further five, led by partner Beverley Jones, will open a JMW office in Liverpool which will concentrate solely on family law work. The lease for the new Liverpool office is currently being negotiated.
The arrival of Pickering, Elspeth Kinder and Jones along with their colleagues, will create the largest private family law team in the North West with a head count of 32 in total, led by partner Michael Chapman.
JMW senior partner Joy Kingsley said: “We are delighted to welcome David Pickering and his family law team to JMW.
“In our opinion David is the best respected family lawyer in Manchester and he will bring with him all of the team’s clients who wish to transfer to us.
“David also has many strong contacts who will create excellent work opportunities for other departments within JMW.
“I have known David since we both attended Chester Law College and had always hoped that one day I would work with him.
“We believe that DWF was keen to keep David and his team but we are very pleased they have chosen to move to JMW to make our Family team the largest in the North West.”
JMW is on course to boost turnover to over £30m by April 2018, the end of the financial year 2017/18, which is an increase of 107% from £14.5m five years ago in 2014/15.
