header-logo header-logo

04 February 2026
Categories: Movers & Shakers , Profession
printer mail-detail

DWF—Ed Williams

Public sector disputes capability bolstered by partner hire in Leeds

DWF has appointed Ed Williams as a partner in its disputes practice in Leeds, bolstering the firm’s public sector dispute resolution offering. Williams joins from DAC Beachcroft and brings more than 15 years’ experience advising on complex disputes involving public and private sector bodies.

Williams specialises in contractual disputes, procurement challenges and technology disputes, with experience across sectors including central and local government, TMT, defence, health-tech, education, transport and infrastructure. He has acted on high-profile procurement challenges, advised on urgent risk mitigation following major incidents, and supported government suppliers on high-value defence and technology contracts.

At DWF, Williams will focus 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. Commenting on his appointment, he said the opportunity to build and lead the practice was ‘hugely exciting’ and highlighted DWF’s ‘outstanding reputation in the public sector’.

Jonathan Branton, global head of public sector and managing partner in Leeds, said Williams’ arrival ‘significantly enhances our ability to support clients when disputes involving the public sector arise’, while Stefan Paciorek, global head of dispute resolution, added that his appointment ‘significantly strengthens our dispute resolution capability’ as public sector disputes become increasingly complex.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Bellevue Law—Lianne Craig

Bellevue Law—Lianne Craig

Workplace law firm expands commercial disputes team with senior consultant hire

EIP—Rob Barker

EIP—Rob Barker

IP firm promotes patent attorney to partner

Muckle LLP—Ryan Butler

Muckle LLP—Ryan Butler

Banking and restructuring team bolstered by insolvency specialist

NEWS
The Supreme Court has delivered a decisive ruling on termination under the JCT Design & Build form. Writing in NLJ this week, Andrew Singer KC and Jonathan Ward, of Kings Chambers, analyse Providence Building Services v Hexagon Housing Association [2026] UKSC 1, which restores the first-instance decision and curbs contractors’ termination rights for repeated late payment
Secondments, disciplinary procedures and appeal chaos all feature in a quartet of recent rulings. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith, barrister and emeritus professor of employment law at UEA, examines how established principles are being tested in modern disputes
The AI revolution is no longer a distant murmur—it’s at the client’s desk. Writing in NLJ this week, Peter Ambrose, CEO of The Partnership and Legalito, warns that the ‘AI chickens’ have ‘come home to roost’, transforming not just legal practice but the lawyer–client relationship itself
A High Court ruling involving the Longleat estate has exposed the fault line between modern family building and historic trust drafting. Writing in NLJ this week, Charlotte Coyle, director and family law expert at Freeths, examines Cator v Thynn [2026] EWHC 209 (Ch), where trustees sought approval to modernise trusts that retain pre-1970 definitions of ‘child’, ‘grandchild’ and ‘issue’
Fresh proposals to criminalise ‘nudification’ apps, prioritise cyberflashing and non-consensual intimate images, and even ban under-16s from social media have reignited debate over whether the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) is fit for purpose. Writing in NLJ this week, Alexander Brown, head of technology, media and telecommunications, and Alexandra Webster, managing associate, Simmons & Simmons, caution against reactive law-making that could undermine the Act’s ‘risk-based and outcomes-focused’ design
back-to-top-scroll