DWF has announced a 23% increase in revenue for the first half of 2017-18.

Turnover at the firm hit £113.5m for the first six months of the financial year, alongside a 33% rise in net profit.

In its announcement, the firm made reference to its continuing international expansion and investment across its core insurance, financial services and real estate practice areas during the half-year period.

The firm's financial results for the full 2016-17 financial year saw revenues break the £200m barrier for the first time, with growth of 7.6% taking turnover to £201.3m.

Managing partner Andrew Leaitherland (pictured) commented: "This is a very positive start to the year and I am pleased to see that the momentum we are driving is reflected in the numbers.

"Particularly in a year that has already seen us put a significant amount of investment into our expansion, this is a good set of results which indicate there is huge potential for us to achieve further growth through the rest of the year."

The increase in turnover comes following expansion in the Asia-Pacific region through an exclusive association with a six-partner Australian firm.

The firm also recently opened in its first office in Italy, with the hire of a 16-strong team led by four partners from local firms Pavia & Ansaldo and LS Lexjus Sinacta.

In addition, this September the firm unveiled the trophy hire of Sir Nigel Knowles as its new chairman, nearly 18 months after he stepped down as DLA Piper's senior partner and global co-chair.