DWF LLP is a multinational law firm headquartered in Manchester with 30 offices across the world. The firm has been ranked the 10th overall most innovative legal business in Europe in the 2017 Financial Times Most Innovative Lawyers Report, and scored highest of all firms in Europe for innovation in the business of law.
The firm started life as a four office practice in the North West of England and has grown through a series of international mergers. It currently has around 3,000 staff and is the 19th-largest law firm in the UK measured by revenues and advises national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments.
The law firm is renowned for its expertise in corporate and banking, insurance and litigation, financial services, technology and transport. Clients of the firm include major household names and FTSE 100-listed companies such as adidas, Aviva, Barclays, Expedia, Haribo, Leeds City Council, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Pepsi, Poundland, the Royal Bank of Scotland, RSA Insurance Group, Uber, Virgin Trains, Whitbread and Zurich Insurance Group.
Video DWF LLP
History
Davies Wallis was founded in 1977 in Liverpool, and merged with Dodds Ashcroft in 1989.
A merger with Foysters in 1990 brought a Manchester office and a change of name to Davies Wallis Foyster, which was abbreviated to DWF in 2007, shortly after the acquisition of Ricksons. The Ricksons acquisition added offices in Preston and Leeds. DWF opened a London office in 2008.
A series of acquisitions in 2012 and 2013 added offices in Birmingham (Buller Jeffries), Newcastle (Crutes), Glasgow and Edinburgh (both Biggart Baillie), Bristol, Dublin and a second London office (Fishburns), before acquiring Cobbetts through a pre-pack administration.
In 2014 DWF reported a 23% increase in net profit from £20.8 million in 2012/13 to £25.5 million in its first full year financial results following four mergers.
DWF opened an office in Dubai in March 2015, the firm's first office outside of the British Isles.
DWF opened six offices in 2017, including two new operations in Continental Europe. The firm opened in Berlin after hiring two lawyers from DLA Piper. It also launched its first office in France through a merger with four-partner Paris firm Heenan Blaikie. In the Asia Pacific region, DWF also launched two offices in Melbourne and Brisbane through a combination with independent firm MVM Legal. DWF further opened in Singapore after hiring from Eversheds Sutherland's practice. It gained bases in Sydney, Chicago and Toronto after the acquisition of claims company Triton in January.
Maps DWF LLP
Recognition
- In a 2018 report by Experian DWF ranked 7th among the most active legal and financial advisers in the UK and 15th in Europe by deal volume and value.
- DWF has been ranked 10th in the 2017 Financial Times Most Innovative Lawyers in Europe Report, and scored highest of all firms for innovation in the business of law.
- The firm won 'Best Work Placement Scheme' (Best in Law Awards 2017).
- Commended for Team of the Year - Corporate/Commercial (Manchester Legal Awards 2017).
- Won the award for 'Data Analytics Excellence' (Insurance Times Tech & Innovation Awards 2016).
- Won 'Best Leadership of Innovation' and 'Best Managed Workplace' (Managing Partners' Forum Awards for Management Excellence 2015).
- Awarded 'Legal Innovator of the Year' (Legal Business Awards 2015).
- Named 'Management Team of the Year' (The Lawyer Management Awards 2014).
The firm is dedicated to creating a diverse business and was the first UK law firm to achieve the 'ClearAssured' accreditation, which highlights the firm as an inclusive recruiter of disabled talent. DWF has also launched a women's and LGBT network and was ranked in the 2016 Stonewall Top 100 Employers Index for its inclusive workplace policies.
Notable cases and alumni
- DWF is advising Kensington and Chelsea Council as the inquiry into Grenfell Tower fire disaster in June 2017, which resulted in the deaths of at least 80 people in North Kensington.
- The firm advised Poundland owner Pepkor on its £180m financing with US investment firm Davidson Kempner Capital Management.
- In a highlight matter the DWF finance practice group advised commodities trader Trafigura on the loss of cargo after a fire at an oil terminal in Johor, Malaysia. At arbitration an award of $150m was made and the team is pursuing enforcement proceedings.
- In September 2017 DWF announced Sir Nigel Knowles as their new Chairman. Sir Nigel was knighted for services to the legal profession in the 2009 New Year Honours List and is currently Chairman of Sheffield LEP, High Sheriff of Greater London and a Trustee of The Prince's Trust. Nigel takes over from Alan Benzie who served for 10 years. Nigel was the former global co-chairman of the international law firm DLA Piper.
- DWF has advised international games business Keywords Studios on a number of transactions, including its $66 million acquisition of VMC Consulting Corporation and related £75 million placing.
- The firm advised e-learning services and technology provider Learning Technologies Group on the proposed takeover of AIM-listed NetDimensions. LTG's £54m offer for the integrated enterprise talent management software platform is being funded by a £46.5m placing alongside debt facilities provided by Barclays and LTG's chairman Andrew Brode.
- DWF advised Discovery Park, one of Europe's leading science and technology parks, on £160m biomass renewable energy plant. Around 650 Pfizer UK employees are based at Discovery Park.
Practice areas
DWF is structured into two legal service areas, covering Commercial Services and Insurance Services respectively. The Insurance Services area includes a practice dealing with "Claimant Services", delivered as Resolution Law.
Offices
DWF's recent history has been dominated by a process of internationalisation. Over the past decade it has developed a presence in key major cities around the world. The firm is headquartered in the Spinningfields district of Manchester and has 30 offices in 15 jurisdictions across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.
References
External links
- Official website
- Law Society profile
- Resolution Law website
Source of article : Wikipedia
0 Comments