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Corporate leaders defect to DLA
DLA Piper has nabbed two high-profile partners from two of its competitors to bolster the firm’s corporate practice.
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Bryan Pointon (pictured on right) comes to DLA from Gilbert + Tobin to take on the role of head of corporate – Asia-Pacific, while David Ryan (pictured on left) joins the firm from Ashurst.
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Both new partners will be based in DLA's Sydney office.
Pointon was with King & Wood Mallesons before joining G+T as a partner; he was also previously admitted to practice in the US and was an attorney at Latham & Watkins in New York.
He is renowned as one of Australia’s leading private equity lawyers and is described by Chambers Asia Pacific 2013 as “a go-to partner for private equity”.
Ryan is a recognised specialist in public company M&A, equity capital markets transactions and corporate governance. He has specific expertise in the energy & resources industry, having acted on some of the most significant deals in that sector in recent times. He also acts for a number of clients in the engineering and infrastructure, technology and health industries.
Andrew Darwin, DLA’s managing partner Australia, commented on the appointments: “We are delighted to welcome Bryan and David to our corporate practice. These appointments signal our commitment to develop our corporate practice in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific. We believe that they are the kind of individuals who are well-aligned with our objective and will bring new relationships and capabilities which will enhance our practice and the service to our clients, both domestic and international.”
Nigel Knowles, the co-global CEO of DLA, said: “As part of our strategy to be the leading global business law firm we are focused on providing the best possible service to our clients, wherever in the world they do business. Asia Pacific is a key market for us and the addition of lawyers of Bryan and David's calibre moves us closer to achieving our goals.”
Charles Severs, international head of corporate, added: “The firm is committed to bolstering its corporate capabilities internationally. Bryan and David are two very accomplished lawyers who will be significant additions to our team and we very much look forward to working with them.”
DLA Piper recently lost a property and insurance partner to mid-tier Mills Oakley, and an insolvency expert to Corwall Stodart.
