National business law firm, DWF, has now completed its merger with Crutes. As of 1st January 2012, Crutes became fully incorporated into DWF.

The move, which was announced in November 2011, is set to shake up the legal services market across the North East and is the latest step in DWF’s strategic plans to further invest in its Newcastle presence.

Last year, the firm also announced a number of appointments in its Newcastle office, including intellectual property lawyer Ed Meikle; leading corporate partner, John Flynn, as an executive partner; and banking and finance expert, Deborah Kirtley, as a partner.

The merger will further bolster DWF’s offerings across a number of key sectors, including insurance, healthcare, transport, technology and the public sector, thanks to Crutes’ solid reputation and expertise in these areas.

“The completion of the merger with Crutes is a significant milestone for DWF,” said Andrew Leaitherland, managing partner at DWF. “Crutes was the perfect match for DWF, as its business services and sector strengths complement ours. Our shared legal expertise, sector knowledge and resources will enable us to provide an enhanced offering to our clients in the North East and beyond.”

He added: “We see the North East as a key area for expansion over the next few years and we’re committed to growth and investment in the area. The region is a dynamic marketplace with plenty of opportunities, and the next 12 months look very exciting for the firm.”