International law firm DAC Beachcroft is pleased to announce that Will Sefton, a nationally recognised leader in lawyers' liability and professional indemnity, has joined the firm as a partner in Bristol.
Previously a partner at RPC, he moves to DACB together with legal director Anna Murley and associate Richard Seymour.
Will brings over 20 years' experience acting on solicitors' negligence, regulatory issues and complex professional indemnity matters. He also has a market-leading reputation as an innovator in dispute resolution and professional indemnity processes, having introduced blind bidding negotiation via mediators, a cost-effective Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) method now offered by IPOS and Independent Mediators. He also contributed to the development of the PNBA Adjudication Scheme, helping safeguard professional indemnity work following the introduction of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO).
Will is a founding partner of RPC's Bristol office and was head of RPC's Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group, which he helped build. Prior to joining RPC, he worked at Clifford Chance and CMS.
Partner Suzanne Wharton, head of DACB's Professional & Commercial Risk team, said, "Our strategic goal is to be the global insurance industry's adviser of choice, and Will's arrival, together with his colleagues, substantially reinforces our professional indemnity offering regionally and, in particular, our Lawyers’ Liability service line nationally.
"Beyond his technical excellence, which is well known across the market, we have been impressed by Will's deep commitment to developing people and teams. He champions others' successes and actively supports future leaders, from lawyers on the path to partnership to apprentices at the start of their careers. Will truly embodies the collaborative, growth-focused culture we value here at DACB."
Will added, "DACB offers a strong platform with a genuinely global insurance presence that aligns with the direction of my practice. I've known a number of people at DACB for many years and have always admired the firm's leadership, its thoughtful expansion across regional and international offices and, importantly, its people-focused culture.
"I'm looking forward to seizing the opportunities that platform will provide to grow my practice, and I'm very much looking forward to working with the team and contributing to the continued success of the firm."
Will's hire follows that of partner Tim Barr, who joined DACB's Lawyers' Liability practice in London last September from Womble Bond Dickinson and Ben Parks and his team from Clyde & Co, who joined DACB's Manchester team in March. The firm also welcomed partner Sam Kneebone into the practice from RPC in Bristol at the start of 2025, as well as legal director Esme Watson who moved from RPC this April.
Operating from offices across the UK, DACB's Lawyers' Liability team has represented legal professionals in large City, regional and international law firms, as well as those in specialist partnerships.
