Weightmans swoop sinks marine capability of DLA Piper Liverpool

Weightmans has sailed off with two lawyers from DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary, ending the firm's marine law capability in Liverpool.

Associates Mike Burns and Terry Donaghy have joined Weightmans as partners in its Liverpool office. They act for the shipping industry as well as the nascent luxury yachts market.

DLA Piper Liverpool managing partner Philip Rooney said he was not concerned by the exits. "Marine law is a very tight market and we don't want to be in areas that aren't profitable. We will not be replacing them," he said.

The departures leave the DLA Piper office without capability in marine law, although its London and Manchester offices retain some shipping lawyers.

DLA Piper's Liverpool operation has been plagued with exits during the past year. Partners Jonathan Brown, Richard Capper, Colin Gibbon and Paul Jefferson all left the firm to join Halliwells in Liverpool.

Rooney said the Liverpool office has recruited a number of new people at all levels in its commercial, corporate and real estate groups. It also promoted two associates this year.