The firm has appointed David Fintan to its litigation and regulatory team in Canberra.

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Fintan managed the commercial and indigenous law branch and public law branch at the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). 

In his former role, Fintan helped lead the design and implementation of legislation to support the Northern Territory Emergency Response and in the growth and professionalisation of FaHCSIA’s in-house legal practice.

The new recruit's experience covers administrative and constitutional law, machinery of government, the Commonwealth financial framework, statutory interpretation, privacy and information law, equity and trusts, and litigation

DLA Piper's Canberra Office managing partner, Caroline Atkins, said Fintan's government legal expertise and experience provides a valuable addition to the team.

"Having someone with David's extensive in-house government experience join our firm significantly bolsters our local practice and represents an important addition to the firm's active government practice in Canberra and around Australia.

"His appointment also comes at a time of enhanced global focus for the Canberra office and national government team. Our government practice in Australia regularly liaises with the firm's UK government practice to share expertise, knowledge and international methodologies, which in turn enhances our ability to support local government clients.

"In addition, our colleagues in Europe have recently provided valuable guidance on local legal systems to our government and government agency clients, particularly those with satellite offices or presence overseas," she said.