The firm today announced that Warwick Painter joined the firm in Sydney this week.

Painter, who was a partner at Allens for 11 years, is a leading corporate lawyer with experience advising on high profile and complex mergers and acquisitions, capital raisings in both debt, equity and listed funds, and restructurings.

He also advises on regulatory issues impacting the financial services sector and has advised on a number of significant insolvency restructurings.

Prior to working at Allens, Painter also spent 14 years as in-house corporate counsel at Westpac, including six years as head of corporate and institutional legal for the bank.

DLA Piper managing partner Tony Holland said the appointment represents an enhancement of the firm's strong corporate capability.

"I’m delighted to have someone of Warwick's calibre join our global firm. His extensive legal advisory and client-side experience will be of great benefit to our clients in the region."