Law firm DWF is to acquire global legal and managed services business Mindcrest for $18.5 million.

The transaction is expected to be completed within  four to six weeks. Upon completion, DWF will have offices across 33 locations, employing about 4,200 people, according to the firm's statement.

Chicago-based Mindcrest specializes in services including litigation support, legal analytics, compliance, and contracts for large international corporate clients. The company also has a presence in New York, London and Pune, India, according to the statement.

DWF CEO Andrew Leaitherland said in a statement: "Managed services continues to be a real differentiator for DWF, and Mindcrest will provide the resources to better support our clients globally by meeting their requirements where and when they need them."

Clifford Chance advised DWF on the deal, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. The partners leading the team were partner and head of the firm's consumer goods group Sarah Jones in New York, and London-based corporate partner Joel Ziff.

DWF has made a series of acquisitions following its initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange last year.

Two months ago, DWF acquired the legal arm of telecommunications giant BT, BT Law. The firm also opened an office in Dusseldorf with a team hire from local firm Marccus Partners, as well as taking over K&L Gates' office in Warsaw – counting 85 lawyers in total.

Last month, the firm also acquired Spanish law firm Rousaud Costas Duren, adding 40 new partners and 400 staff across offices in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.