DWF and Cobbetts confirm merger talks

Law firms DWF and Cobbetts have confirmed that they have held preliminary discussions about a potential merger.

The two firms have a significant presence in the legal services market for the public sector. Both are on panels run by the North West Legal Consortium. Cobbetts was meanwhile appointed in 2011 to framework agreements run by a consortium of local authorities in North Wales and Cornwall Council.

Andrew Leaitherland, Managing Partner of DWF, said: “DWF is one of the fastest growing law firms in the UK; we’ve achieved double digit growth year-on-year for the past 18 years and top 30 status is well within our reach. Lateral hires and strategic mergers are a key part of our growth strategy and it is entirely consistent with this strategy that we should be in talks with any number of different parties to discuss the potential for a mutually beneficial strategic partnership.

“I can confirm that preliminary discussions with Cobbetts LLP have taken place but until any such discussions are brought to a conclusion we will not be in a position to talk about them publicly.”

In November, DWF agreed a merger with Newcastle firm Crutes to boost its insurance and public sector teams.