DWF boosts growth with Fishburns merger

NORTH West law firm DWF is to merge with London-headquartered Fishburns, strengthening its insurance offer and geographical footprint.

The tie-up, which will take effect on February 1, will bolster DWF’s presence in London and add Bristol and Dublin to its network of offices.

Fishburns is an expert in the professional indemnity insurance market and will aid DWF’s goal of becoming a top three insurance law firm, the firm said.

The merger brings the combined firms’ London team to a total of 288, incorporating an insurance team of 248.
                                                                                                        
The move follows DWF’s merger with Scottish-based commercial law firm Biggart Baillie, Crutes in the North East and Buller Jeffries in the Midlands.

Andrew Leaitherland, managing partner and chief executive of DWF, said: “This merger significantly enhances our position in the professional indemnity market. Fishburns’ experience enables us to continue our investment in niche practice areas and consequently raise the bar around client delivery.”
 
The Fishburns business will be known as DWF Fishburns adding a further 210 people to DWF’s 1,780 staff nationwide.

Antony Marsh, senior partner at Fishburns, will join the DWF board.