The momentum and energy surrounding DWF’s rapid growth has been credited for its latest hire, TLT corporate partner Richard Tall, who arrived in the London office this month with two associates, bringing the top 30 firm’s national corporate practice to 31 partners.
Acting for bidders, targets and financial advisers including major listed companies, Tall (pictured), who joins with solicitors Joe Cobley and Caroline Urban, has experience in schemes of arrangement and rule 9 dispensations under the Takeover Code, as well as securities offers from unlisted bond issues to the Official List.
Recommended in the Legal 500 as ‘very commercial and practical in his advice’, Tall brings with him work in progress including an unlisted bond issue and an enterprise investment scheme job.
Commenting on his appointment, Tall said: ‘As such a fast growing business, DWF is presenting itself and its people with a huge number of opportunities. I came in for chat with [CEO and managing partner] Andrew Leaitherland and head of corporate in London Jay Birch, and really got the impression that they see and do things differently. There are a number of initiatives that I was keen to run, they listened to what I had to say and I felt like I could make a difference as well.’
He added: ‘I’ve got a number of particular strands in my own specialism which I am keen to take forward in DWF; I’ve got some not necessarily mainstream ideas in terms of products and services that we can provide on the corporate side. And the great thing is that having suggested them, people are saying: “go on, have a go!”‘
The lateral hire follows the appointment of former Lawrence Graham (LG) employment partner Helga Breen, who left LG ahead of its planned merger with Wragge & Co, which is expected to go live in May, to lead DWF’s London employment team.
DWF’s 80-strong corporate team has seen a 140% year-on-year increase in deal volumes across the UK, with particular growth in the financial services, real estate and TMT sectors.
Currently in 22nd position in the LB100, the firm has had almost two years of rapid expansion, including its February 2013 acquisition of the lion’s share of Cobbetts, and its merger with City insurance practice Fishburns. In November the firm posted a 57.5% increase in H1 revenues from £59.4m to £93.6m.
John Wood, head of TLT’s corporate team said of Tall’s departure: ‘Our growing national team of corporate lawyers will continue to advise our UK-wide client base. Two recent hires include corporate partner Jon Close and specialist energy & renewables corporate associate Kay Hobbs.’
francesca.fanshawe@legalease.co.uk
