Since opening in Belfast in 2016 through the acquisition of C&H Jefferson, DWF has built on its strong foundations to establish a significant multidisciplinary presence in the market, delivering a broad range of legal services to clients across the private and public sectors. The Belfast team supports organisations operating locally, nationally and internationally, advising on matters spanning the full lifecycle of their business needs.
Over the past decade, the office has experienced significant and sustained growth, driven by strong client relationships, strategic investment and the expertise of its people. In the last year alone, headcount in Belfast has increased by more than 20%, bringing the team to over 150 colleagues and further strengthening DWF's position as one of Northern Ireland's leading legal employers.
The Belfast office has become a key part of DWF's UK and global network, advising on some of Northern Ireland's most significant corporate, real estate, insurance, construction and dispute resolution matters. The milestone reflects both the success of the office and DWF's long-term commitment to investing in the region.
Central to that success has been the people who work for DWF in Belfast. Many colleagues have been with the business since its inception, while others have joined throughout its growth journey and continue to build successful careers within the firm. Together, they have fostered a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture that underpins the office's reputation for excellence and client service.
Commenting on the milestone, Julie Galbraith, Managing Partner of DWF in Belfast, said: "Celebrating 10 years in Belfast is a milestone we are incredibly proud of. It is a testament to the commitment and talent of our colleagues, the trust of our clients, and the strength of the relationships we have built across Northern Ireland and the wider DWF network."
"We have grown significantly over the past decade, both in the scale of our team and the breadth of services we offer. I would like to sincerely thank our colleagues, particularly those who have been part of this journey from the beginning, for creating such a supportive, ambitious and collaborative culture within our office."
She added: "Our Belfast insurance team is a real strength of the office, a market-leading group known for its technical excellence, commercial focus and the quality of its client relationships across the insurance sector. Our commercial teams have also built strong reputations for delivering pragmatic, trusted advice on complex and high-value matters, including on multi-jurisdictional transactions. As we look ahead, we remain firmly committed to investing in our colleagues, growing our capabilities and continuing to support clients with commercially astute counsel as they navigate an increasingly complex business environment, both in Northern Ireland and beyond."
Matthew Doughty, CEO of DWF, added: "The Belfast office has played an important role in DWF's growth journey over the past 10 years. The team exemplifies our purpose by delivering positive outcomes with our colleagues, clients and communities, through a strong focus on collaboration, innovation and excellence. I would like to thank our clients and partners across Northern Ireland for their continued support and recognise the outstanding contribution of our Belfast colleagues to the wider DWF group."
