DLA Piper announces new firm, practice and office leadership

DLA Piper is pleased to announce a number of leadership changes across the firm.

Rick Chesley will step into the newly created role of Global Managing Partner, overseeing the development of cross-border business initiatives and expansion of global relationships. He will also retain his US Co-Managing Partner role.  

Gerry Williams will join the US Management team. Gerry is a member of the US Executive and Policy committees, Vice Chair of the Private Equity Group Southeast, and Managing Partner of the Atlanta office. Gerry represents clients in domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and securities, finance, and corporate governance matters.

Raj Shah will join the US Executive Committee. Among other roles, Raj is the Chair of the Chicago Litigation group and Co-Managing Partner of the Chicago and Minneapolis offices. Raj focuses on defending class actions and other complex litigation, with a focus on litigation at the intersection of technology and privacy.

John Cusack will assume the role of Chair of the Finance Committee. John is a member of the US Management Team and serves on the Executive and Policy committees, in addition to serving as Global Co-Chair of the Investment Funds Practice. 

Bob Bratt will become Senior Advisor to the Global Managing Partner, working closely with Rick Chesley on operational matters outside the US. Bob is the firm’s former Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, US Operations.

Aydin Akbora will step into the role of Chief Operating Officer while also remaining as Chief Financial Officer. 

Other leadership changes include:

Paul Nicandri will become Chief Practice Management and Pricing Officer. 

Jamila Willis and Maggie Craig will become Co-Chairs of the Consumer Goods, Food, and Retail sector. 

Isabelle Ord and Margo Tank will step into roles as Co-Chairs of the Financial Services sector.

Katie Jahnke Dale will join Raj Shah as Co-Office Managing Partner in Chicago. 

Ellen Dew will assume the role of Co-Office Managing Partner in Baltimore, joining Brett Ingerman. 

Joseph Fore will become Office Managing Partner in Austin. 

Larry Nishnick will become Office Managing Partner in San Diego. 

Gray Stratton will take on the role of Office Managing Partner in Houston. 

Miriam Figueroa will become Office Managing Partner in San Juan, with Nereida Melendez as Deputy Office Managing Partner.

Edgar Romo will become the new Deputy Office Managing Partner in Mexico City.

“Our leaders will continue collaborating to drive top-line growth as we focus on delivering best-in-class service to our clients,” said Frank Ryan, DLA Piper’s Americas chair.