Law firm announces merger plans
DWF, which has a strong presence in Leeds, has announced plans to merge with Belfast-based commercial law firm C & H Jefferson.
The firm said the move continues its focus on increasing its service delivery capability to national and international clients across the industrial, commercial, property and insurance markets in the UK.
The merger will take effect from December 1.
C & H Jefferson is one of the largest legal practices in Northern Ireland and is recognised as a leader in the Belfast market.
Led by managing partner Ken Rutherford, the firm has over 100 years’ experience delivering specialist legal services.
The firm has a strong commercial practice with a particular focus on the banking and finance sector, advising the major banks and financial and lending institutions in Northern Ireland as well as providing specialist advice to leading insolvency practitioners.
C & H Jefferson also acts for a number of Northern Irish, UK and international property developers, retailers and renewable energy operators and has one of the most active property teams in the region.
It has specific expertise in litigation, professional indemnity and employers’, public liability and motor claims, complementing DWF’s existing national insurance practice, and advises several leading national and international insurers in defence litigation, including the Law Society of Northern Ireland’s Professional Indemnity Insurers. In addition to general defence work, C & H Jefferson has expertise in industrial disease litigation.
DWF said the merger will allow it to further develop its commercial and insurance offerings and add breadth to its existing sector capability, particularly across the real estate and financial services sectors.
Following the merger, Ken Rutherford, Gareth Jones, Scott McCarroll, Mark Tinman and Ian Stanfield will join DWF as partners and David Lennon becomes a consultant.
Nic Crocker, executive partner of DWF’s Leeds office, said: “As a firm we are always looking at strategic opportunities for growth that will enhance our legal capability in key practice areas and allow us to offer our clients advantages in terms of resource, reach and multi-jurisdiction expertise. The legal market in Northern Ireland is vibrant, and with a number of our multi-national clients looking for us to provide solutions to their legal requirements in Northern Ireland, this merger makes us well-equipped to take advantage of the growing number of opportunities it presents in our target sectors.”
DWF in Leeds employs around 240 people offering a range of commercial legal services in areas including motor, fraud, specialist litigation and real estate.
Mr Rutherford added: “As our international client base has grown we have continued to explore how we can adapt in order to meet their changing needs. DWF is a very strong fit for us in terms of its culture and approach to legal services, and through this merger we will be able to create new opportunities for our clients with the benefit of DWF’s expansive national footprint, service efficiencies and growing international remit.”
