The move boosts DWF’s Canada presence
DWF is set to integrate Whitelaw Twining and Barnescraig & Associates under the DWF brand to boost the global firm’s Canada presence.
WT, which started as a three-person practice in Vancouver, was first acquired by DWF in 2022 for $42 million, while BCA became part of the global firm in 2021. This resulted in the establishment of a partnership in BC through WT BCA LLP, operating as Whitelaw Twining, where the shareholders were DWF’s existing loss-adjusting practice in Ontario, DWF Adjusting (Canada) Ltd. Individual lawyer professional corporations and DWF Adjusting (Canada) Ltd.
The deal, which was described as a rare one for Canada, also included a share program catering to WT employees. All 16 WT pre-deal partners continued the limited liability partnership alongside a then-new partner. Canada country managing partner Daniel Shugarman said in 2022 that joining DWF represented an evolution for WT.
In a recent statement, he said that since then, WT had established strong cross-border connections.
“Now, we move forward as one team under the DWF brand – combining our legal services with DWF’s claims expertise and creating new opportunities to collaborate through shared tools and technology platforms,” he said in the statement.
Group CEO Matthew Doughty added that with the joining of WT and BCA, DWF’s Canadian business had increased significantly. The integration also reinforced Canada as a key part of the firm’s global strategy, he said.
DWF’s Canada offices are located in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal. The UK-headquartered integrated legal and business services firm has over 350 employees working across the Canadian and London insurance markets.
Last December, WT announced a merger with Bélanger Sauvé’s insurance and civil litigation team in Montréal, setting up a fourth office for the firm. In the combination, WT absorbed nine partners and 12 business support staff, increasing its partnership to 35.
The firm was also listed among Canadian Lawyer's Top Insurance Defence Law Boutiques for 2023-2024.
