DLA Piper elects Charles Severs as Global Co-CEO from 2025

DLA Piper International has elected Charles Severs as its next Managing Partner and Global Co-CEO, effective 1 January 2025. Following his ten-year tenure as International Managing Partner and Global Co-CEO, Simon Levine will step away from the role to lead DLA Piper’s innovation and strategic transformation programme in a new role as Strategic Innovation Partner.

Charles joined DLA Piper as a partner in 2003, and since then has taken on a number of leadership roles, including International Group Head of Corporate, Managing Director for Groups, and since 2018, Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. For the last ten years, Charles has been an integral part of the firm’s Executive management team and is also the Executive sponsor for graduate recruitment and its client listening programme.

Jon Hayes, DLA Piper’s Senior Partner, commented: “Under Simon Levine’s leadership we have achieved many remarkable things: revenue and profit growth every year throughout his tenure; higher and stronger profiles across many practice groups, geographies and sectors; recognition for our innovation and for our wider contribution and leadership as a responsible business. During this time we have also matured into a firm that is cohesive, values-led, confident and acutely attuned to the needs of our clients, both now and for the future.

“Charles’ appointment will mark a new chapter in the evolution of the firm. We have always embraced change and look forward with excitement and enthusiasm to what Charles will bring to this role and to the firm.”

Over the next ten months, Managing Partner, Simon Levine will assist Charles in preparing for the new role, while continuing to operate fully in his current capacity until the end of his term on 31 December 2024.

Current International Managing Partner and Global Co-CEO, Simon Levine, added: “Charles has been an integral part of my management team for the past decade and it will be an honour to pass the baton of DLA Piper’s leadership over to him at the end of the year. Not only is Charles an outstanding lawyer, but his strength lies in his proven ability to lead and also to listen. I have every confidence that Charles is the right person to guide DLA Piper into a bright future.”

Managing Partner and Global Co-CEO Elect, Charles Severs, said: “This is an incredibly proud moment for me. I have spent the vast majority of my career at DLA Piper and care passionately about this great firm and the fantastic people that make us who we are. Simon will be a tough act to follow, and I’m delighted that we will continue to benefit from his vision for innovation. We certainly have an exciting future ahead.”