DWF opens office in Brussels

Following growing client demand, DWF is formally opening an office in Brussels to provide greater competition and regulatory support to its major UK and international clients, particularly in the central and local government, food and retail, transport, and energy and industrials industry sectors.

DWF’s Brussels office will be led by partner and head of EU & competition Jonathan Branton, who formerly spent ten years practising in Brussels and is independently recognised as a leading EU/competition practitioner.

Mr Branton will be supported by DWF’s head of retail, food and hospitality, Hilary Ross, also a recognised leading expert in EU regulatory matters.

The office will be further supported by Brona Heenan who has been based in Brussels for nearly 20 years and has longstanding experience in EU and competition matters having represented numerous parties in European Commission investigations as well as dealing with national competition authorities.

Mr Branton said: “DWF has been handling significant EU matters in Brussels for years and formalising our presence in the city will help us to grow the practice and capitalise on the great international opportunities presented by our growing client base.

“Interest in EU matters is growing with the pending referendum and, irrespective of the result, international clients will continue to have EU issues, and UK clients will continue to be affected by the EU one way or another.”

Managing partner and CEO Andrew Leaitherland added: “Opening an office in Brussels is a natural progression for the firm as we grow our reputation for advising on significant Competition and EU regulatory matters.”

The move follows the launch of the firm’s Dubai office, its first outside of the UK and Ireland, earlier this year.

Dubai was opened in response to client demand across the construction, energy, insurance and transport sectors across the Middle East and North Africa, and has enjoyed significant success in its first year of operation.