DLA Piper announces new Executive Committee

DLA Piper International today announces its new Executive Committee, appointed by International Managing Partner and Global Co-CEO Elect, Charles Severs.

Effective from 1 November 2024, when Charles Severs takes up his new role from Simon Levine, the Executive will include:

• Sandra Wallace CBE: Deputy Managing Partner and Managing Director for International Practice Groups (previously on the Executive as Joint Managing Director for Europe)
• Benjamin Parameswaran: Managing Director for Clients (previously Global Co-Chair for the Corporate practice group)
• Mark O'Conor: Managing Director for Sectors (previously Global Co-Chair of the firm's Technology sector)
• Peter Somekh: Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa (previously Regional Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa)
• Jean-Pierre (JP) Douglas-Henry: Managing Director for Sustainability and Asia Pacific (previously on the Executive as Managing Director for Sustainability and Resilience)
• Philippe Danesi and Daphne Bens: Joint Managing Directors for Europe (Philippe was previously Country Managing Partner for France, and Daphne was head of the firm's Dutch Corporate practice)
• Bob Bishop: Managing Director for the Americas (a newly created role working with the Americas to pursue cross-border business initiatives. Bob was Global Co-Chair for the Corporate practice group from 2015 to 2022)
• Elena Varese: Early Years Partner (a newly created role appointed for a fixed term. Elena will serve from 1 January 2025 to 30 April 2026)
• Kate Salter: stays on the Executive as General Counsel. Her remit will expand to oversee the International Risk Group and a new portfolio of Culture & Engagement, designed to support our people throughout their careers at DLA Piper
• Jacqueline King: stays on the Executive as Chief Operating Officer
• Olivier Chateau: joins the Executive as Interim Chief Financial Officer

Jane Stewart joins the firm as Chief of Staff to Charles and will serve as Secretariat to the Executive. Jane joins from Slaughter & May where she supported the partnership in various roles.

Charles Severs, International Managing Partner and Global Co-CEO Elect, said: “During Simon's decade of leadership, our firm has matured significantly into a cohesive and profitable global business renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and values-led approach. It is now the job of me and the new Executive Committee to build on that, and ensure we make the most of our incredible global platform and people, to deliver a first-class service to our clients. We can't wait to get started.”

Frank Ryan, Global Co-CEO and Co-Chair, added: “DLA Piper sets the bar for excellence amongst global law firms. We look forward to working with Charles and the new generation of leaders to continue to drive the firm to deliver the highest quality legal services seamlessly around the world.”