International firm announces exclusive association in US

DWF is partnering with a US firm as it further expands its international presence.

The UK-headquartered firm has announced an “exclusive association” with Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman. The US firm is headquartered in Los Angeles but has 22 offices across the US.

"This is a significant move for us which greatly expands our reach in the US,” said DWF managing partner and CEO Andrew Leaitherland. “DWF and WSHB already have a number of mutual clients and many more we consider mutual prospects. In particular, we both have strong insurance practices and already support some of the world's largest insurers.

The tie-up follows new offices in Australia, Singapore, Italy, and Qatar in the last financial year and a strategic tie-up with a firm in Turkey.

"Our international strategy is client-led. We have opened offices or sought association partners where it makes sense strategically and where our clients operate and tell us they need our support,” added Leaitherland.

The firm is weighing a public listing on the London Stock Exchange which would make it the UK’s largest listed law firm.

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