DWF, Pinsent Masons and Foot Anstey have won places on Halfords' first-ever legal panel.

The trio have been appointed to the cycling and car product retailer's roster following a competitive tender process.

The appointment represents a new client win for DWF, where Leeds litigation partner James Haddleton will lead the relationship, while Pinsent Masons' Birmingham corporate partner Paul Harkin has been the relationship partner for Halfords since the firm first started working with the company in 2002. Foot Anstey has worked with Halfords for two years.

All three firms will now work together as one team to carry out a legal review of Halfords' processes and procedures.

The Worcestershire-headquartered retailer, which has 469 stores throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland, lists magic circle firm Clifford Chance as its company solicitors.

Haddleton commented: "This appointment is a reflection of our outstanding retail credentials and pragmatic approach to helping clients. It is particularly exciting to be part of something innovative like this review being carried out by the panel, sharing our combined expertise for the benefit of Halfords."

Halfords company secretary Alex Henderson added: "We are looking forward to working with our newly-appointed panel of firms – helping us to build on our commercial and legal achievements over the last year."

The appointment comes after DWF announced its financial results for 2010-11 last week, with fee income growing 15% to £83m alongside a 35% increase in net profit and a 17% rise in profits per equity partner to £390,000.