DSW Legal welcomes first licensee

DSW Capital, a profitable, mid-market, challenger professional services platform and owner of the Dow Schofield Watts and the DR Solicitors brands, announces that DSW Legal, the legal division of business advisory group Dow Schofield Watts (DSW), has welcomed Apex Employment Solicitors as its first licensee, expanding its legal offering into employment law.

The firm will operate as DSW Apex, led by founder Joanna Gooden, who becomes Partner and Head of Employment at DSW Legal.

The appointment marks the next step in developing DSW's legal platform, launched earlier this year to attract leading legal talent looking for an alternative to traditional partnership models.

Founded in 2019, Apex advises SMEs on employment matters including disciplinaries, grievances, contracts, handbooks, redundancy and negotiated exits. It also represents employers and individuals in tribunal proceedings involving discrimination, unfair dismissal and breach of contract.

Alongside its legal advice, the firm provides retained HR administration support for smaller businesses without an in-house HR team.

Headquartered in Maidstone, Apex operates remotely, serving clients across England. Its four-person team comprises Joanna, two senior associates and an HR co-ordinator.

The firm aims to grow to over 10 senior associates within three years. Joining DSW will help it build its client base through access to the group's network of mid-market businesses and entrepreneurs, while continuing to support existing clients.

DSW Apex will also provide employment advice to clients of DR Solicitors, the primary care consultant-model firm acquired by DSW in 2024. Apex's experience includes involvement with tribunals involving the NHS, alongside its wider work with businesses across different sectors.

The team plans to develop webinars and training programmes to help employers manage grievances and disciplinary processes, avoid common contract pitfalls and prepare for changes to employment legislation.

Joanna Gooden, Partner and Head of Employment at DSW Legal, said: "I've built Apex around strong client relationships and personal service. Joining DSW gives us the opportunity to build on that foundation, retaining our independence and client focus while benefiting from the relationships, infrastructure and wider expertise of an established professional services group.

"DSW's entrepreneurial culture was a major attraction. Its network opens the door to a broader employer client base and gives us a platform to grow our team and develop practical training alongside our legal advice.

"As the first legal licensee, we also have an opportunity to help shape how DSW's legal offering develops. We want to become the first point of contact for employment matters across the network, working closely with colleagues to give clients joined-up advice as their businesses grow."

James Mallender, Managing Director at DSW Legal, added: "Welcoming Joanna and the Apex team is an important step in broadening our legal offering. They bring an established practice and employment expertise that will support clients of DR Solicitors and the wider DSW network.

"Our model gives entrepreneurial lawyers the freedom to run their own practice, backed by the infrastructure, relationships and expertise of the wider group. Joanna's ambitions for Apex demonstrate the kind of business we want to attract.

"We're looking to add further legal capabilities, giving mid-market businesses access to a broader range of legal services alongside the advice they already receive from DSW."