DWF to merge with commercial law firm C & H Jefferson

DWF, which has two offices in Scotland has announced plans to merge with Belfast-based commercial law firm C & H Jefferson. The merger will be effective from Thursday 1, December.

C & H Jefferson, one of the largest legal practices in Northern Ireland, is recognised as a leader in the Belfast market. Led by managing partner Ken Rutherford, the firm has over 100 years’ experience delivering specialist legal services to a diverse range of clients across Northern Ireland.

The firm has a particular focus on the banking and finance sector, advising the major banks and financial and lending institutions in Northern Ireland as well as providing specialist advice to leading insolvency practitioners.

Following the merger, Ken Rutherford, Gareth Jones, Scott McCarroll, Mark Tinman and Ian Stanfield will join DWF as partners and David Lennon will become a consultant.

Wayne Lawrence executive partner at DWF’s Edinburgh office, said: “As a firm we are always looking at strategic opportunities for growth that will enhance our legal capability in key practice areas and allow us to offer our clients advantages in terms of resource, reach and multi-jurisdiction expertise. The legal market in Northern Ireland is vibrant, and rapidly changing, and this merger makes us well-equipped to take advantage of the growing number of opportunities it presents in our target sectors.”

This will be DWF’s 12th UK office; the firm also has locations in Dublin, Cologne, Munich, Dubai and Brussels.