Member Article

Growing DWF takes additional floor space in Leeds

James Haddleton and his growing team

To accommodate a rapidly expanding team in Leeds following a recent acquisition, DWF has taken an additional floor at Bridgewater Place. The law firm’s payroll has grown 62% in the last year alone and the total space it now occupies in the building is 36,081 sq ft.

James Haddleton, executive partner at the DWF Leeds office, said: “Since DWF acquired Cobbetts earlier this year, the number of our people based in the city has increased to over 340. Therefore, to allow the team to work together and communicate as effectively as possible, we were keen to see the majority of our staff operating from a single location.

The company claims that the Cobbetts acquisition has brought great strength and depth to the team, in particular, its real estate group which has grown by 124%, while the corporate group has increased by 92%.

Under the sale agreement, DWF acquired the whole Cobbetts practice with the exception of debt recovery subsidiary Incasso. All staff members transferred to DWF, although there was an immediate back-to-back sale of its professional negligence business to Walker Morris and 38 job cuts followed because of an overlap of roles.

James Haddleton added: “It is our aim to provide a fantastic resource and knowledge base for our clients in the region. Among these are organisations such as Leeds City Council whom the company advised on the high profile new Leeds Arena.”

Company and commercial law matters were dealt with by Andrew Holland of Andrew Holland Law and Umberto Vietri; a partner of AWB Charlesworth.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Gatehouse .