DLA Piper History and Company Overview

DLA Piper is a global law firm with a rich history that spans over 90 years. The firm was founded in 1937 by a group of lawyers in London.

DLA Piper has grown significantly over the years, expanding its operations to over 40 countries worldwide. Today, the firm has more than 4,200 lawyers working across its global network.

The firm's global reach and expertise have made it a go-to choice for clients across various industries.

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DLA Piper's origins can be traced back to four law firms: Dibb Lupton Broomhead, Alsop Stevens, Piper & Marbury, and Rudnick & Wolfe.

The firm's UK roots date back to 1988, when Dibb Lupton Broomhead was formed after the merger of Dibb Lupton and Broomhead & Neals.

In the United States, Piper & Marbury was founded in Baltimore, Maryland, and merged with Chicago-based Rudnick & Wolfe in 1999 to form Piper Marbury Rudnick & Wolfe.

DLA Piper was formed in 2005 after a merger between DLA, Piper Rudnick, and Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich.

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This merger created one of the largest law firms in the world at the time and the largest firm in the UK.

In 2006, the firm launched New Perimeter, an international pro bono initiative that provides legal assistance in underserved regions.

DLA Piper continued to expand its presence in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, opening offices in Mexico City and São Paulo.

The firm also grew in the Australasian region through a series of mergers and acquisitions, including an exclusive alliance with Australian firm Phillips Fox in 2006.

In 2008, DLA Piper opened an office in Kuwait as a joint venture with Kuwaiti law firm Al Wagayan, Al Awadhi & Al Saif.

DLA Piper was the third largest law firm in the United States by revenue in 2021.

DLA Piper is a global law firm with a rich history dating back to 1899. The firm was founded by Debevoise and Plimpton, a New York-based law firm.

DLA Piper has a global presence, with over 4,200 lawyers operating from more than 30 countries. This extensive reach allows the firm to provide seamless services to clients worldwide.

The firm's global network enables it to handle complex, cross-border transactions and disputes. This is particularly evident in its work on major M&A deals and international arbitration cases.

DLA Piper has a strong reputation for its expertise in various practice areas, including corporate law, litigation, and tax law.

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DLA Piper has been on a global expansion spree since 2010. In 2010, they entered into a cooperative agreement with Brazilian firm Campos Mello Advogados.

They continued to grow in 2011 by integrating with DLA Phillips Fox (Australia) to become DLA Piper Australia. This was followed by DLA Phillips Fox (New Zealand) joining the team in 2015 to become DLA Piper New Zealand.

By February 2012, DLA Piper had become the largest firm in the world by headcount with over 4,000 attorneys. They marked this milestone by opening an office in Paris through a partnership with Frieh Bouhenic.

DLA Piper continued to expand to new regions between 2013 and 2014, opening offices in Seoul, Indonesia, Namibia, Algeria, and Mexico City. This rapid growth was a testament to their commitment to global expansion.

In 2014, Simon Levine was appointed managing partner, Global co-Chair and Global co-CEO, a role that was extended through 2024. This appointment was a significant move for the firm, demonstrating their focus on leadership and growth.

In 2016, DLA Piper opened an office in San Juan, Puerto Rico, further solidifying their presence in the Americas. The following year, they welcomed ABBC and LETT, two firms from Portugal and Denmark, respectively, to their global network.

DLA Piper continued to push boundaries in 2019 by opening their Dublin office, marking a significant milestone in their European expansion.

DLA Piper employees were the twelfth-largest donor to President Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign, donating $2.19 million to federal candidates during the 2012 election cycle, 73% to Democrats.

In 2010, DLA Piper represented Paul Ceglia in a claim that he hired Mark Zuckerberg to create Facebook, and that under their agreement, Ceglia was entitled to ownership of 84 percent of Facebook.

A DLA Piper attorney had "absolutely 100% confidence" in Ceglia's agreement, but it was later found to be fraudulent.

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DLA Piper employees were the twelfth-largest donor to President Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign, contributing $2.19 million to federal candidates during the 2012 election cycle.

A significant portion of these donations, 73%, went to Democrats. This is a notable example of the firm's political leanings.

Since 1990, DLA Piper has contributed a substantial $16.97 million to federal campaigns. This figure highlights the firm's long history of involvement in politics.

DLA Piper also spent over $1 million on lobbying since 2002. This underscores the firm's influence in shaping policy.

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In 2010, DLA Piper got caught up in a controversy involving Facebook's founder Mark Zuckerberg.

DLA Piper represented Paul Ceglia, who claimed he was entitled to 84 percent of Facebook's ownership.

A DLA Piper attorney confidently stated that Ceglia's agreement was authentic, but it was later found to be fraudulent.

Facebook and Zuckerberg sued DLA Piper and others, claiming they knew or should have known the initial lawsuit was a scam.

The suit was later dismissed, but not before DLA Piper's reputation was tarnished.

In 2020, DLA Piper was sued again, this time by Ferrellgas Partners LP, for a breach of fiduciary duty.

Ferrellgas hired Squire Patton Boggs to file the lawsuit in Kansas.

DLA Piper has a long list of notable attorneys, advisors, and staff members who have made significant contributions to the firm. José María Aznar, the former Prime Minister of Spain, has been a senior adviser to DLA Piper's Global Board since 2013.

The firm has also had several notable former employees, including Dick Armey, a former U.S. Representative from Texas's 26th congressional district, and Tom Daschle, a former US Senator and US Senate Majority Leader, who served as a policy adviser at DLA Piper from December 2009 to October 2014.

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DLA Piper's leadership has been shaped by experienced professionals, such as Sir Nigel Knowles, who was the managing partner from 1996 to 2015 and global co-chairman from 2015 to 2016. Simon Levine, the former Managing Partner and Global Co-CEO, now leads the firm's innovation and strategic transformation programme as Strategic Innovation Partner.

The firm has also had a number of notable partners, including James Blanchard, the former Governor of Michigan and former U.S. Ambassador to Canada, who has been a partner since 1996. Michael Castle, the former Governor of Delaware, has been a partner at DLA Piper since 2011.

Here's a list of some of the notable attorneys, advisors, and staff members who have been associated with DLA Piper: