DWF buys niche firm
LAW firm DWF is acquiring niche law firm Fox Hartley.
Bristol-based firm Fox Hartley specialises in insurance, litigation and product liability cases, and DWF hopes to enhance those areas of its own business with the acquisition, and increase its focus on the Lloyd’s insurance market.
The team of 16 at Fox Hartley and its three partners, Trevor Fox, Michael Hitchings and Peter Barnes, will join the 900-strong insurance team at DWF, including 180 insurance specialists in Manchester.
Earlier this year, DWF completed the acquisition of a German business , BridgehouseLaw in a deal which created a £194m-turnover law firm with 2,000 employees across its worldwide operations.
David Pickering, executive partner of DWF’s Manchester office, said: “Fox Hartley has excellent litigation and insurance specialists with niche expertise that will complement our existing teams and sector expertise and help us secure new clients.
“This merger presents significant advantages and opportunities for both firms, our people and our clients.”
Dr Trevor Fox, managing partner of Fox Hartley, said: “This merger gives us the scale, geographic reach and resources to support our growing client base, and DWF’s innovative approach to client service makes the merger a strong cultural fit for our people and beneficial for our clients.”
The acquisition will take effect on May 3, 2016.
