The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Liverpool, DWF LLP is a third tier firm,

DWF LLP's team in Liverpool includes corporate partner Gareth McIntegart, who is very commercially aware and technically astute’.

Within Corporate and commercial: Manchester, DWF LLP is a second tier firm,

Despite the recent departure of James Sheridan to turner parkinson LLP, DWF LLP’s ‘savvy and technically astute’ group continues to gain significant headway in the market, and has developed a robust roster of significant plc clients, including Enterprise Healthcare, Guardian Media Group and Assura. Recent highlights include advising Peel Land (Red City) on a £26m joint venture between Peel and Salford Council to create a sports stadium for the Salford City Reds Rugby League Club. Stephen Houston heads the team, which also includes recommended partners Frank Shephard and Craig Chaplin.

Within Corporate tax, DWF LLP is a third tier firm,

Headed by the ‘highly analytical’ John Toon, DWF LLP’s nascent two-partner tax group has made great strides in the market since its formation in September 2009, complementing the firm’s strong corporate offering. The team recently provided tax advice to the sellers of Vitaflo International Holdings on its sale to Nestlé.

Within EU and competition , DWF LLP is a third tier firm,

At DWF LLP, Liverpool-based partner Laurence Pritchard heads the team and has vast experience handling OFT investigations and Competition Commission inquiries. Clients include JD Sports Fashion, Britpave and Vix Technology.

Within Licensing, DWF LLP is a second tier firm,

The team at DWF LLP covers the full range of general licensing issues. As well as acting for clients in the licensed retail and leisure industries in the UK, it is also one of the few non-Scottish law firms to handle licensing matters within Scotland.

Within Banking litigation , DWF LLP is a third tier firm,

Headed by the ‘very good’ David Wood, DWF LLP’s four-partner team is well regarded for asset and asset-based litigation. The ‘very responsive and commercial’ Ritchie Irvine advises Fortis Lease UK and Carlyle Finance.

Within Commercial litigation: Liverpool, DWF LLP is a second tier firm,

At DWF LLP, Graham Dagnall is experienced in complex corporate disputes and contentious aspects of corporate finance transactions.

Within Commercial litigation: Manchester, DWF LLP is a second tier firm,

Enhanced by the recent recruitment of a number of former Halliwells lawyers, including the ‘steady and sensible’ Steve Morris, DWF LLP provides ‘well-balanced advice’. It has substantial firepower to direct at its growing caseload, and draws on the expertise of lawyers in other practice areas, including employment and professional indemnity. JJB Sports and United Utilities Water are new clients.

Within Banking and finance, DWF LLP is a third tier firm,

Although it lacks the deeply entrenched banking relationships of some of its peers, the recruitment in August 2010 of the ‘approachable and dependable’ Jonathan Edwards from Squire Sanders Hammonds was a major boost for DWF LLP. Edwards advised Yorkshire Bank on the £22m MBI of Dunham Leisure. The firm also has a strong asset finance capability, with the ‘very knowledgeable’ Tony Bochenski well regarded.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, DWF LLP is a third tier firm,

Instructed by an even mix of IPs and banks, DWF LLP is ‘commercially realistic and proactive’ and was significantly strengthened by the hire of the ‘client-focused’ Gavin Jones from Halliwells. Jones’ arrival has already started to pay dividends, and the team recently gained some notable panel appointments, including the Lloyds Banking Group panel for corporate insolvency and distressed real estate. Praised for his ‘wealth of knowledge and experience’, Andrew Gregory is also recommended, as is James Szerdy, who has ‘strong connections in the motor and real estate industries’.

Within Employment, DWF LLP is a first tier firm,

In 2010, DWF LLP attracted a substantial number of major new clients across a range of sectors, and added seven new fee-earners, including Ed Farrelly from Eversheds LLP. Practice head Kirsty Rogers and Tim Scott are both highly recommended.

Within Health and safety, DWF LLP is a first tier firm,

DWF LLP advises insurer clients such as QBE Insurance, and is also advising a range of clients in the construction, waste and manufacturing sectors on fatal accident cases. Team head Steffan Groch provides ‘a first-class legal service’.

Within Pensions, DWF LLP is a second tier firm,

DWF LLP won some significant new clients and saw an increase in the range, value and complexity of its work. Highlights included acting on numerous scheme termination projects and scheme mergers. Team head Mark Poulston is ‘very practical and covers matters in depth’.

Within Personal injury: claimant, DWF LLP is a second tier firm,

DWF LLP is an established panel firm, and was recently reappointed to the panel of a major insurer. David Blaquière heads the team.

Within Personal injury: defendant, DWF LLP is a first tier firm,

DWF LLP provides a ‘first-class service’, and is on the panel of some of the UK’s major insurers and claims organisations. Recent work for the team includes acting for a large pharmaceutical company in relation to an outbreak of toxic gas. Carl Graham ‘knows when to settle but is willing to fight’; and Dave Young has ‘a flair for detailed investigations into the issue of negligence’.

Within Professional negligence, DWF LLP is a second tier firm,

Major developments for DWF LLP include being appointed to the panel of a major insurer for all insurance work, and the arrival of Julie Bowker from Halliwells. Kieran Walshe heads the team.

Within Regional review, DWF LLP is a second tier firm,

DWF LLP continues with its growth strategy, on the corporate side and also in banking, where it recently secured the services of heavyweight Jonathan Edwards from Squire Sanders Hammonds.

Within Charities, DWF LLP is a first tier firm,

DWF LLP’s ‘charitable knowledge is superb’. Chair of the group Louise Scholes ‘goes the extra mile’, and Katharine Mellor gives ‘pragmatic advice’, ‘drawing on her experience of a range of incorporated charities’.

Within Family, DWF LLP is a first tier firm,

In 2010, the team at DWF LLP won a reported Court of Appeal case concerning personal liability for a £3m personal injury award. Other work included three cases with net onshore and offshore assets of over £100m. David Pickering is ‘an excellent tactician and lawyer and maintains a refreshing commercial reality’; and Lesley Smythe is ‘sharp, focused and pragmatic’.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, DWF LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘progressive and innovative’ DWF LLP recently hired the ‘fantastic’ Graham Ball to head its private client team. Previously with NatWest, Ball has over 30 years’ experience in the private banking and wealth management sector, giving the team a commercial insight into all financial matters. The practice was also boosted by the firm’s merger with niche firm Lane-Smith & Shindler LLP, welcoming five fee-earners including the well-known and highly regarded Geoffrey Shindler OBE, and Paul Davies, who is a longstanding member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

Within Education, DWF LLP is a third tier firm,

DWF LLP was recently appointed to the North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium, and the Manchester Metropolitan University panel. Maria Burquest is praised for her ‘deep subject knowledge’ and ‘ability to define legal concepts in regular dialogue’.

Within Health, DWF LLP is a third tier firm,

Work highlights for DWF LLP included acting for private healthcare developer Primary Horizons; and advising Healthcare at Home on a complex and innovative contractual matter. Katharine Mellor, who has particular experience in advising on the devolution of NHS services to private corporate bodies, is recommended.

Within Commercial property: Liverpool, DWF LLP is a third tier firm,

DWF LLP’s five-partner team, headed by Andrew Nichol, provides an ‘exemplary’ service across the spectrum of commercial real estate matters. Andy Green is very well regarded and continues to advise developer St Modwen on its £150m scheme to regenerate Great Homer Street, Everton. Other clients include Peel Holdings, National Museums of Liverpool and the Co-operative Bank.

Within Commercial property: Manchester, DWF LLP is a third tier firm,

Squarely focused on the development market, DWF LLP’s six-partner team acts for some of the largest developers in the region including Peel and ASK Developments. Instructed by both private and public sector clients, Claire Chapman advised Neptune Developments on the £174m Wolverhampton Interchange project. Team head Anita Gupta also has experience advising corporate occupiers, while Jon Kiddle’s recent arrival from Trowers & Hamlins LLP gives the firm an added dimension in relation to social housing matters.

Within Construction, DWF LLP is a third tier firm,

Led by Paul O’Kane, DWF LLP is best known for its contentious expertise for diverse public and private sector clients. On the non-contentious side, the team regularly works alongside the real estate group in assisting the likes of Neptune Developments, which it is advising on the £174m project to redevelop Wolverhampton city centre.

Within Planning and environment, tier 4

At DWF LLP, associate Jo Hannah continues to grow the planning group, and secured work from new clients including Manchester Metropolitan University and South Lakeland District Council.

Within Property litigation, DWF LLP is a second tier firm,

DWF LLP’s two-partner team provides ‘very honest and objective’ advice to a broad client base that includes public sector clients, landlords and tenants, and developers. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Angela Hardman is vastly experienced, and recently handled a multi-party property dispute involving land registration issues and professional negligence.

Within Intellectual property, DWF LLP is a second tier firm,

Former Halliwells heavyweight Craig Chaplin joined DWF LLP, with two other fee-earners and a variety of IP-rich clients. Chaplin is ‘an exceptional lawyer – technically very good and commercially even better’. Paul Attwood is recommended for his expertise in the food sector.

Within IT and telecoms, DWF LLP is a second tier firm,

Craig Chaplin arrived to head up the team at DWF LLP from Halliwells, bringing considerable expertise in non-contentious IT contract law and major business projects. Steve Morris also arrived from Halliwells, boosting the team’s contentious capabilities.

Within Sport, tier 4

DWF LLP acts for a number of sports clients, including JD Sports.