DLA Piper promotes five partners in Australia

Global law firm DLA Piper has promoted five lawyers in Australia to the firm's partnership.

The new partners are based across the firm’s Melbourne, Perth and Sydney offices, reflecting continued investment in capability where client demand is accelerating and increasing the firm's bench across key growth areas including energy and natural resources and technology.

Conor Dolphin (senior associate, Partner Elect¹) is based in Sydney and advises on private M&A, private equity, venture capital, corporate restructurings, governance and commercial matters. Conor works with Australian and international clients across sectors including technology, pharma and healthcare, and energy.

Maddison Hardiman is a Melbourne‑based Corporate partner who advises in the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors. Maddison has a broad range of experience assisting renewable energy project developers, financial sponsors, vendors and purchasers across the full lifecycle of complex energy and infrastructure projects and transactions.

Matthew Roberts is a Perth‑based Projects partner with deep experience in the energy and natural resources sector, with experience in the early‑stage development of hard‑rock exploration and mining projects. Matthew advises clients across the full project lifecycle, from securing tenure and navigating regulatory approvals to structuring complex commercial arrangements and engaging with government agencies, regulators, native title parties and other land users.

Mitch Robertson is a Sydney‑based Employment partner, supporting leading Australian and international organisations on highly sensitive and business‑critical workforce strategy, employment risk and workplace change across the energy and resources, retail, technology, and transport and logistics sectors.

Sarah Birkett is an Intellectual Property and Technology partner based in Melbourne, who leads the firm’s data, privacy and cyber security capability in Australia and advises on high‑risk, business‑critical technology and compliance issues.

DLA Piper's Country Managing Partner in Australia, Shane Bilardi, said: “These promotions recognise lawyers who are already making a strong impact with clients and within the firm. We are deliberately investing in areas where our clients are driving transformation and dealing with change, whether that is the energy transition, technology‑driven change or managing growth in complex markets. Building our partnership in these areas adds further depth to the areas of where we strong opportunities for the future growth of the firm in Australia and with our clients.”

The Australian promotions, effective 1 May², form part of the firm’s global partnership round, which this year included 62 lawyers across the firm, reinforcing DLA Piper’s focus on building depth and leadership across priority markets worldwide.