International insurance-focussed law firm DWF has taken nine partners from Australian firm Hall & Wilcox in the largest partner defection in Australia this year.

The entire London market team of Hall & Wilcox, led by partners Matt Curll and Rachael Arnold, is to join DWF in Sydney, Brisbane, Newcastle and Melbourne.

"It has long been a strategic priority to grow our business organically in key markets such as Australia, including through senior lateral hire recruitment. We believe this move will significantly strengthen our ability to support clients across Australia and globally," Matthew Doughty, chief executive officer of DWF's insurance services division, said in a statement.

The hires follow the September acquisition of Australian claims management business Proclaim, to expand its insurance capabilities in Australia.

DWF has been rebuilding its business since scaling back its Australian ambitions in 2020, after its Australian arm expanded quickly but failed to turn a profit.

It is expected the Hall & Wilcox team will join DWF by May 2025.

Hall & Wilcox chief executive partner Graydon Dowd said in a statement that it is inevitable that, from time to time, partners will decide to join another firm.

“While the departure of these partners is unfortunate, they primarily handle claims for London insurance syndicates. This is, to a significant extent, a discrete practice,” he said.

“Our ability to service our insurance clients across all general and statutory lines will not be impacted and we are focused on ensuring minimal disruption to our people and clients.”