British firm DWF is set to form an exclusive association with Los Angeles-based Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman, continuing the U.K. outfit's run of international expansion ahead of a planned initial public offering expected to take place early next year.

Having generated $81 million in gross revenue during its most recent financial year, Los Angeles-based Wood Smith brings 248 lawyers—56 of them partners—and 22 U.S. offices to DWF's international network.

For DWF, which earlier this month disclosed that it took in $308 million during fiscal 2017-18, the agreement with Wood Smith represents the firm's latest international excursion following the launch of new offices in Australia, Italy, Qatar and Singapore. DWF has also launched new practices in France and the United Arab Emirates, as well as expanded into Istanbul via an exclusive alliance with local firm Ozkan Law.

With Wood Smith, DWF shares various synergies. Both firms are forces in the insurance sector with strengths in the commercial, construction, employment, professional liability and real estate space. And like DWF, Wood Smith has engaged in a period of rapid expansion within the past few years by opening new offices in Atlanta, Miami and Philadelphia, among others.

“Through this association we will be able to seamlessly serve those clients by bringing our model of complex, managed and connected services to the world's largest market for both legal and insurance services,“ said a statement from DWF managing partner Andrew Leaitherland, who last year was re-elected to a fifth leadership term. “We have been considering our U.S. growth strategy for some time, working to ensure that we found a partner that shares our values. We were particularly impressed by Wood Smith's commitment to invest in technology and a willingness to embrace innovation. They share our desire to transform the delivery of legal services.”

In June, it emerged that DWF was considering a plan to go public next year under the U.K.'s alternative business structure rules for law firms. Were that listing to go head as planned, DWF would become the largest law firm to float in the country, topping a proposed deal announced this week between fellow British firms Gordon Dadds and Ince & Co.

“Partnering with DWF will enable us to move into the next phase of our development by not only tapping into an international network, but also by being able to access DWF's innovative connected services business,“ said a statement from Wood Smith chairman and co-founder Daniel Berman. “This will allow us to provide our clients with multidisciplinary teams across different professional and business services in an integrated way.“

Wood Smith was formed in 1997 by Berman and three other partners: David Wood, Kevin Smith and Stephen Henning. The fast-growing firm now has offices throughout the country.