Manchester-headquartered international law firm DWF said on Wednesday it agreed to acquire Chicago-based Mindcrest for $18.5m in cash and shares.

Mindcrest specialises in services including litigation support, contracts, compliance and legal analytics for large international corporate clients.

Headquartered in Chicago, Mindcrest employs over 360 people, the majority of whom are located in Pune, India, where it has operated for over 15 years, along with a small presence in New York and London. 

DWF CEO Andrew Leaitherland said: “I am delighted to have completed another important acquisition for DWF and to welcome Mindcrest to our Group.

“Mindcrest is an excellent fit for our business, allowing us to rapidly expand our Managed Services offering in both existing and new areas, accelerating growth in this key offering that remains central to our strategy. 

“Managed Services continues to be a real differentiator for DWF, and Mindcrest will provide the resources to better support our clients globally by meeting their requirements where and when they need them. 

“Following the recent RCD acquisition, the Mindcrest deal further highlights our M&A strategy and the attractiveness of our business model, as we continue to deliver on our IPO promises and grow our international offering in targeted locations and disciplines that complement our existing business, while attracting and retaining the best talent.”