Law firm looks to healthcare and housing after acquisition

James Haddleton, the executive partner at DWF’s office, said DWF would consider other “client-led and sector-led” opportunities in the legal market.

DWF bought Cobbetts out of administration in a pre-pack deal in February.

In Leeds, Cobbetts had around 112 staff based in No 1 Whitehall Riverside. These staff are now joining the 130-strong team at DWF’s office in Bridgewater Place.

Last month, DWF announced that 38 roles in the combined Cobbetts and DWF central services team were to be made redundant.

Those at risk of redundancy have been encouraged to apply for 40 vacancies which are available across the firm.

Mr Haddleton said yesterday: “The merger has gone very well. Cobbetts have good, energetic people. They have clients which sit nicely with what we’re trying to achieve in our sector focus.

“In healthcare, the Cobbetts team have brought across with them Emis, who provide a lot of the software for the NHS, and that sits very nicely within our healthcare focus.”

When asked if he saw any more significant deals on the horizon, Mr Haddleton said: “We never say never.”

However, he stressed that it was important to ensure that the newly expanded client portfolio received a top quality service.

He added: “We really focus on our clients, more than doing another merger. From a Leeds perspective, we’re very keen to do even more in the city.

“We’ve advised on the Leeds Arena project. There are many opportunities within this city and region we would like to capitalise on. Now, with greater resource, we’re able to do that.

“We’re not looking to grow in terms of personnel, simply for the sake of growing.. size in itself is just an indication of resource, rather than an aim. If we see any opportunities in the market – they have to be client-led, sector-led opportunities – then we would certainly look at those. Our merger with DWF Fishburns in London was just one of those; (it was) a professional indemnity outfit which added to our insurance practice.“

Mr Haddleton said the firm’s latest financial figures were being finalised. It is understood that the national turnover for the firm will be more than £150m. Altogether DWF has more than 2,500 staff across its offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Coventry, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Preston and Teesside.

Mr Haddleton said: “We have grown during difficult times, we have ensured that what we have put in place is suitable for the current economic climate,’’ he added. “One of the things which was very interesting about the Cobbetts merger was that they have a strong social housing team, and we’ve also just taken on Mitch Brown who joins us with a team (from Eversheds, where he was national head of affordable housing).

“That is a fantastic opportunity to combine resources and develop that sector of the market, which is strong in Yorkshire, and strong nationally as well.”