Ed specialises in resolving disputes between public and private sector bodies, including complex contractual disputes, procurement challenges, and tech disputes. Prior to joining DWF, Ed was a partner at DAC Beachcroft.
With over 15 years of experience, Ed has helped to resolve high-value and strategically important disputes for both public and private sector clients across various sectors, including central and local government, TMT, defence, health-tech, education, transport and infrastructure. He has acted on high-profile and strategically important procurement challenges for contracting authorities, national infrastructure and utility providers, and government suppliers, offered urgent risk mitigation advice in the aftermath of major incidents, and supported government suppliers on high-value defence and technology contracts.
At DWF, Ed's focus will be on developing a national public sector disputes practice, working closely with colleagues across the firm’s Procurement Centre of Excellence and wider public sector teams to provide joined-up contentious and non-contentious support to clients.
Commenting on his appointment, Ed said: “DWF has an outstanding reputation in the public sector, with strong non-contentious capability and deep sector expertise. The opportunity to build and lead a specialist public sector disputes offering is hugely exciting, and I look forward to working with colleagues to support clients facing increasingly complex challenges.”
Jonathan Branton, global head of public sector and managing partner of DWF in Leeds, said: “Ed’s arrival significantly enhances our ability to support clients when disputes involving the public sector arise. His technical expertise, market profile and experience of building high-performing teams will be invaluable as we continue to grow our public sector disputes offering.”
Stefan Paciorek, global head of dispute resolution at DWF, added: “Public sector disputes, and procurement challenges in particular, are becoming increasingly complex and strategically important as organisations adapt to the new policies and regulatory frameworks. Ed’s appointment significantly strengthens our dispute resolution capability, bringing deep expertise and proven leadership as we continue to grow our public sector offering.”
Ed’s arrival follows the recent appointment of Dean Gormley, who joined DWF to lead its finance and restructuring team in Manchester, and reflects the firm’s continued focus on attracting senior talent to drive the growth of its commercial services practice. With client demand for integrated, cross-disciplinary support continuing to increase, DWF anticipates a strong pipeline of further partner appointments throughout 2026, strengthening depth, capability and leadership across the business.
