The entire national family law team of North West-based law firm DWF is jumping ship to rival practice JMW.

DWF’s 14-strong national family team is headed up by David Pickering and the Liverpool team is run by Beverley Jones. JMW is a Manchester-based firm with a £30m turnover.

Liverpool Business News understands the Liverpool team will comprise of around six people and has plans to move into a new office in May, possibly in the Plaza in St Paul’s Square – just yards away from DWF’s current home at 5 St Paul’s Square.

Ms Jones is recognised as one of the top family lawyers in the North West with more than a decade’s experience. Wirral-born, she trained at Fletchers Solicitors in Southport before moving to DWF.

She initially worked as a solicitor and then as a senior solicitor following a promotion the following year. In 2012 she was made an associate and in March 2013 she was appointed head of the family law team and was later made a partner at the firm.

Experienced in all aspects of family law, Ms Jones is an advisor to the LGBT community in respect of dissolution of civil partnerships and other legal matters.

“In family law you have to have some emotion and some empathy for the client, otherwise you would not be very good at it,” she has said previously.

Liverpool has considerable expertise in family law and other key players include MSB Solicitors, also based in St Paul’s Square. Partner and soon-to-be managing partner Emma Carey has built up its family department, turning it into a formidable player.