Hill Dickinson has hired a former DLA Piper corporate partner for its satellite Chester office, Legal Week can report today (19 October), as the expansionist national firm continues to bulk up its presence outside its Liverpool stronghold.

Sally Wightman joins the top 40 northwest firm as a partner and will head up the local corporate and commercial team.

Wightman quit the Manchester office of the legacy DLA in 2003 to take a career-break after 11 years with the national giant as a partner. Her practice covers a wide range of transactional work, with a strong emphasis on the chemicals, industrial, financial services and retail sectors.

In her new role, she will work as part of Hill Dickinson's umbrella corporate and commercial practice, which includes 28 partners and a further 59 lawyers.

The northwest firm has earmarked its eight-partner Chester arm – currently the smallest of its four UK offices – for future investment after a slew of eye-catching client-wins, including mandates for Chester City Council, Wrexham County Borough Council and the Health & Safety Executive.

Hill Dickinson Chester head Robin Jones singled out private client, commercial property, litigation and regulatory as areas in line for growth.

Commenting on her appointment, Wightman said: "[Hill Dickinson] is the only major law firm with an office in Chester and has an impressive portfolio of clients. It is the blue-chip law firm of Cheshire and North Wales."

The 152-partner Hill Dickinson is currently one of the UK's fastest-growing law firms, last year posting a 31% surge in fee income to hit £68.4m.