DWF, the global provider of integrated legal and business services, has announced the addition of four new pupils to its in-house Chambers, strengthening its advocacy offering across England.
In London, Hannah Ritchie joined DWF Chambers as an advocate in 2024. Called to the Bar in 2022, she has already built a busy practice in civil and commercial litigation, insurance and civil fraud.
Hope Pranauskaite, based in Liverpool, has undertaken more than 300 hearings as a self-employed advocate, gaining experience in landlord and tenant, recoveries and enforcement, interlocutory applications, PI, RTA and commercial small claims.
Joining in Leeds is Matthew Butters, who has over three years’ experience as a county court advocate and has appeared in more than 1,800 civil hearings. Called to the Bar in 2021, he has experience of a range of complex matters including small claims trials, housing possession, consumer credit disputes, OIC claims, consumer rights, and bankruptcy and interim applications.
Roxana Chiper, based in Birmingham, has conducted hundreds of civil hearings as a self-employed advocate and has extensive experience across RTA, OIC, consumer rights, consumer credit law, housing, debt, and contract and tort matters.
Since becoming an Authorised Education and Training Organisation (AETO), DWF Chambers has successfully supported 10 pupils to qualify. With this latest cohort, the total rises to 14, underlining the Chambers’ ongoing commitment to investing in future talent as part of its long-term growth strategy.
Dan Monaghan, Head of DWF Chambers, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Hannah, Hope, Matthew and Roxana to DWF Chambers. Their combined experience and academic achievements will be a great asset to our clients and to the continued growth of our team. Our pupillage programme remains central to developing the next generation of barristers and to strengthening our position as one of the largest in-house advocacy teams in England.”
Over the past five years, DWF Chambers has expanded from a team of 7 advocates and clerks to 40, making it the largest commercial in-house advocacy team in England. The team advises across a broad range of disputes and is on panel for a number of major insurance clients, with advocates based in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Newcastle.
