DWF merges with Belfast firm; boosts insurance offering

Law firm DWF has merged with Belfast-based C&H Jefferson in a deal the former says will develop its insurance offerings across the real estate and financial services sectors in the UK.

Following the merger, C&H Jefferson’s managing partner Ken Rutherford along with other partners and 82 staff members will join DWF. One of the partners, David Lennon, will join as consultant.

Belfast becomes DWF’s 12th UK office, alongside other offices in Dublin, Cologne, Munich, Dubai and Brussels.

Andrew Leaitherland, DWF’s managing partner, said: “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 rapidly changing, and this merger makes us well-equipped to take advantage of the growing number of opportunities it presents for our clients in target sectors.”

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.”