Today, national business law firm DWF welcomes the 47-strong team from specialist insurance law firm Greenwoods. The hire of 11 partners, supported by a further 23 legal specialists, significantly strengthens DWF's catastrophic and large loss personal injury and non-injury expertise.

The move also bolsters DWF's presence in Bristol, London and Manchester, and creates a new presence in Milton Keynes, supporting the firm's growing national profile and in particular the firm's commitment to the City and the London insurance market. Five partners will be based in DWF's London office; Steve King, Christine Winter, Melanie Lewis, John Lezemore, Deirdre Burgess. Mike Suddards and Alex Puddy will help drive DWF's catastrophic personal injury offering in Manchester; Stephen Byass will bolster DWF's presence in Bristol; and Charles Ashmore, Tanja Neuhoff and Tim Ingram will head up operations in Milton Keynes.

Andrew Leaitherland, Managing Partner & CEO of DWF said: "We are delighted to welcome to DWF our new colleagues from Greenwoods. The team has an exceptional reputation for its advisory work on complex cases and this strength in catastrophic and large loss personal injury and non-injury cases enhances our service offering to all insurer clients. This opportunity supports our future growth in London and Bristol, is in line with our business strategy and will further establish DWF's position as one of the UK's leading insurance law firms."

This appointment follows on from DWF's merger with professional indemnity firm Fishburns in February 2013, which saw the firm establish a presence in Bristol and Dublin and become a leading specialist in the area of professional indemnity law.