DLA Piper elects Jon Hayes as new Senior Partner

DLA Piper has elected Jon Hayes as its next Senior Partner, effective 1 May 2022. Jon will succeed Andrew Darwin who has held the role since 2018 and concludes his four year term.

Jon joined DLA Piper's corporate group from Linklaters in 2009 and has built up an enviable practice over the past 13 years, with a broad range of experience in public and private mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships, complex group reorganisations, equity capital markets and corporate finance transactions.

Jon was formerly a member of DLA Piper's International Board and acts as lead sponsor for the firm's LGBT+ network, Iris. He is a member of the firm's D&I Council and sits on the Advisory Board of DLA Piper's pro bono affiliate, New Perimeter.

Incoming DLA Piper Senior Partner, Jon Hayes said: "I'm truly honoured to be elected as Senior Partner for the firm, and look forward to continuing Andrew's exceptional work in cementing the firm's values across our business and promoting good governance. I intend to focus on ensuring that our business remains robust and at the leading edge of innovation so that we continue to provide exceptional service to our clients, and that DLA Piper is a place where all of our people can thrive and excel."

Current DLA Piper Senior Partner, Andrew Darwin, said: "I'm immensely proud of what we have achieved over the last four years, and am confident in Jon's abilities to move into the role in May. Over his 13 years at the firm, Jon has shown himself to be a strategic, courageous, thoughtful and fair leader, and as an ambassador for the firm will no doubt bring his relentless professionalism and positivity to the role. Jon has the gravitas, experience and international reputation to help further build our business for the benefit of all and be an exceptional advocate for the firm in all it does."