Sandra Wallace and Jon Hayes listed in Financial News’ “Fifty Most Influential Lawyers” list for 2022

DLA Piper’s Joint Managing Director, UK and Europe Sandra Wallace, and the firm’s next Senior Partner Jon Hayes have been named in Financial News’ second annual list of Fifty Most Influential Lawyers.

The listing of Europe's top business lawyers was drawn together by an editorial panel which evaluated candidates against criteria including influence over their business area, leadership within the sector, performance over the past year and the lawyer’s capacity to shape their business and/or the industry over the year ahead. It includes executives advising on large and / or innovative mergers and acquisitions, private equity deals, IPOs, equity and debt capital markets transactions, regulation and employment law or those in management roles leading top-tier firms or practices.

Sandra was recognised for her reputation as a leading Employment lawyer and for her passion about diversity and inclusion. She serves as Co-Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Socio-Economic Diversity Taskforce, is a pro-chancellor for social mobility and an honorary professor at Wolverhampton University. Sandra also previously co-chaired the UK government’s Social Mobility Commission, with her work earning her a CBE in the 2022 New Year Honours List for services to law and social mobility.

Jon was lauded for his City credentials which helped him win the race for Senior Partner of DLA Piper’s International arm, and for promoting the firm’s diversity and inclusion agenda. Alongside his work on complex and high-profile deals, such as advising Etihad Airways on a GBP1.8 billion restructuring of Alitalia, Jon acts as lead sponsor for the firm’s LGBT+ network. He is a member of the firm’s diversity and inclusion council, and also sits on the advisory board of the firm’s pro bono initiative, New Perimeter.