DWF has acquired a 50-strong team from Bristol-based insurance disputes specialist Greenwoods, launching a Milton Keynes outpost to support the transfer. 

The team, which includes 11 partners and 23 legal professionals, is set to transfer to the expansive northwest firm at the end of the month.

Of the group, 17 lawyers will join DWF's London base with the same number helping to set up its new Milton Keynes office. Five partners will join in London and three partners in Milton Keynes.

Nine, including two partners, are joining the Manchester base and a five-strong team led by one partner will take up roles at the Bristol office.

The team primarily acts for long-time Greenwoods client Aviva on personal injury matters.

Legal Week understands the move, which will be conducted under a TUPE transfer on 28 October, was prompted by concerns from the insurance giant that Greenwoods would be acting for other insurers following its merger with Plexus Law earlier this year.

Greenwoods is said to have been aware of the issue prior to the May tie-up with the Parabis Group-owned firm.

A Greenwoods spokesperson confirmed the transfer and said the firm "wishes the departing team every success for the future".

DWF has said the move, which will strengthen its catastrophic and large loss personal injury and non-injury practice, will bolster DWF's presence in Bristol, London and Manchester and also create a new presence in Milton Keynes, where Greenwoods have outposts.

Greenwoods merged with Parabis subsidiary Plexus Law earlier in May. It also has offices in Manchester and Southampton.

DWF managing partner & CEO Andrew Leaitherland said: "The team has an exceptional reputation for its advisory work on complex cases and this strength in catastrophic and large loss personal injury and non-injury cases enhances our service offering to all insurer clients.

"This opportunity supports our future growth in London and Bristol, is in line with our business strategy and will further establish DWF's position as one of the UK's leading insurance law firms."

In April Leaitherland told Legal Week that a further London tie-up is in the pipeline in the wake of its recent takeover of London professional indemnity firm Fishburns.

In the last year alone DWF has signed several merger deals including the takeover of Cobbetts in a pre-pack deal, as well as tie-ups with Scots firm Biggart Baillie, Fishburns and insurance litigation outfit Buller Jeffries. The moves propelled the firm into the UK's top 20 law firm rankings this year after posting revenue figures of £188.2m.