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This move marks the next step in the growth and evolution of both firms. With this agreement, the two firms join forces. RCD becomes the Spanish office of the global firm DWF, with which it had already been closely collaborating through a best friend agreement. The decision increases DWF’s coverage to 31 key locations globally.

The new entity will be branded as DWF RCD and both Adolf Rousaud and Ignasi Costas, founders of RCD and Co-Managing Partners, have been appointed as members in the Executive Committee for Continental Europe. Furthermore, as a well-known expert in Innovation, Ignasi Costas has been invited to join the board of DWF Ventures and the Board of DWF Connected Services. The Spanish offices will also provide DWF with access to an extensive network of connections in Latin America and Portugal.

DWF was founded in Northern England in 1977 as Davis Wallis Foyster and experienced rapid growth in the last decade to become one of the leading legal businesses in the UK. In March 2019, DWF became the first legal business to list on the main market of the London Stock Exchange and was the only main market listing in the UK in Q1 2019.

RCD was founded in 2003 as Rousaud Costas Duran and, in just 16 years, has grown from 10 to more than 400 professionals and from 3 to more than 20 practice areas, becoming one of the leading Spanish law firms, with a solid client base that comprises from start-ups to large multinationals and other public and private bodies and individuals.

DWF seeks to do business in new ways, such as through its specialist business division, Connected Services, to provide value beyond the traditional legal advisor role. Like RCD, DWF is consistently recognized for its disruptive initiatives. For example, the Financial Times has recognized DWF as the 8th most innovative law firm in Europe in 2019, while RCD was selected among the top 10 most innovative law firms in continental Europe.

With common values and characteristics, including a people-oriented vision, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a focus on technology, this new phase is a step that enables RCD to continue growing and leading important projects in the future while widening its value proposal for clients and professionals within the firm with the addition of new services and capabilities.

Adolf Rousaud, Co-Managing Partner at RCD, said: “We are pleased to enter a new chapter in our firm’s story by expanding our international reach. RCD was founded just 16 years ago and since then it has become one of the main firms in the legal market. With our transformative vision and aim to do things differently, this was the natural progression of our constant evolution up to now”.

Ignasi Costas, Co-Managing Partner at RCD, said: “We have lots of synergies with DWF in terms of our values and way of working. It is a law firm that, like us, stands out year after year for its innovation and use of technology, which has a direct impact both internally and for its clients. We are confident that this decision will result in lots of benefits and opportunities for our clients and our people."

Andrew Leaitherland, CEO of DWF Group plc, said: "Our international expansion is driven by our aim to meet our clients’ demands wherever they are in the world. By expanding our presence to this strategically key location, we not only offer significant opportunities in our primary sectors, including Insurance, Real Estate and Financial services, but also offer strategic gateway links into other growth regions and key international markets including Portugal and Latin America.”

“Even more importantly, in RCD we have found a partner that shares our mission to do things differently and to use technology to face the challenges awaiting the legal profession in the future."

About RCD
RCD is an independent, dynamic and innovative law firm. Founded in 2003, it is a benchmark in comprehensive legal advice and has over 20 legal and sectoral areas of expertise. With a team of over 400 professionals led by 40 partners, it ranks among the top law firms. RCD has been recognized for the past three years for its innovative capacity in the European ranking Financial Times FT - Innovative Lawyers. The firm has offices in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.

About DWF
DWF is a global legal business providing complex, managed and connected services, operating from 28 key locations with approximately 3,200 people. The Company became the first Main Market Premium Listed legal business on the London Stock Exchange in March 2019. DWF recorded revenue of £272.4 million in the year ended 30 April 2019.