DWF in pledge to increase jobs as turnover climbs

Andrew Leaitherland, managing partner, said its Leeds headcount had risen 41 per cent to 170 and this would rise to "well over" 200 by the end of this financial year.

Mr Leaitherland was speaking as the firm reported a 17 per cent

increase in national turnover to 71.5m for the year to April.

Net profit rose 51 per cent but DWF said it could not release the cash figure yet.

Profits per equity partner rose to 333,000 from 213,000, with each lawyer generating an average of nearly 200,000 of revenue.

DWF's number of partners remained static at 120.

Mr Leaitherland said corporate, insurance, tax and employment work had driven its performance in the year to April.

"We have grown the firm substantially over the last 12 months to 1,100 people across five locations.

"We have recruited three equity and six salaried partners in addition to a number of strategically important lateral hires, as we continue to attract the best talent from our key competitors.

"I firmly believe that we are in an extremely strong position within the legal marketplace, especially with our sustained investment in our transactional and contentious teams."

He also said the firm would not be strongly affected by the Government's programme of cuts, because it had a low proportion of public sector clients, but forecast a hard time for the rest of this financial year.

"I think it is going to be tough and people will have to be light on their feet."

The firm's other offices are in Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and London.

The largest is branch is in Manchester but Mr Leaitherland said they did not have a head office.