DLA Piper announces new firm, practice and office leadership

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

John Gilluly will become Vice Chair – Transactional Practice, overseeing the firm’s Corporate, Finance, Private Equity, Real Estate and Tax practices. Gilluly is the former Managing Partner of the Americas. He also previously served as global co-chair and US chair of DLA Piper’s Corporate practice and former managing partner for Texas. He joined DLA Piper in 1998 and is based in Austin.

Richard "Rick" Chesley will assume the role of Managing Partner of the Americas, overseeing the development of cross-border business initiatives and expansion of global relationships. He will also continue to serve as Co-US Managing Partner with Jackie Park.

Joe Alexander will become Advisor to the Chair. Alexander will focus on the firm’s financial performance, competitive position and strategic priorities. He is the former Vice Chair – Transactions and was also global and US co-chair of DLA Piper’s Corporate and Private Equity practices, and former Southwest US managing partner. He joined DLA Piper in 2008 and is based in Miami.

Ilana Eisenstein, David Parrish and Edward "Smitty" Smith will become new members of the US Executive Committee, effective July 1.

Eisenstein is co-chair of the firm's Appellate Advocacy Practice. She is a former Assistant to the Solicitor General and a former federal prosecutor with extensive appellate experience, including before the US Supreme Court. She is a member of the firm’s Policy Committee.

Parrish focuses on alternative investments, including fund formation and investment matters. He represents domestic and foreign investors.

Smith, chair of the firm’s Regulatory and Government Affairs practice, is a former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) official who focuses his practice on telecommunications matters, advising clients on a broad set of issues in the wireless and satellite sectors.

Jesse Criz will become a member of the firm’s US Management Team. Criz heads DLA Piper's Investment Management and Real Estate Capital Markets practice and has over 20 years' experience in taxation, corporate law and vehicle formation. He also serves on the firm’s US Executive Committee.

Other leadership changes include:

Richard Hans will become the new Managing Partner of Vertical Operations-Disputes.

Sean Cunningham will become the new leader of US Intellectual Property and Technology (IPT), as well as global co-chair of the IPT practice.

Ilana Eisenstein will become the new leader of Litigation, effective at year-end.

Marc Katz will become the new leader of US Employment.

Andrew Gilbert will become the new leader of US Corporate.

Alison Maxwell will become the new leader of US Tax. Maxwell will remain the leader of the International Corporate Reorganization sub-group.

Matt Schwartz will become the new leader of US Finance. Schwartz will also remain the leader of the Venture and Growth sub-group.

Sang Kim will become the new Chair – US/Asia Initiative and, together with Rick Chesley, will serve on the firm’s Asia Committee.

Ehab Elsonbaty will become the Chair – US/Middle East Initiative.

Tamar Duvdevani will become the new leader of the US Trademark, Copyright and Media sub-practice.

Erin Gibson and Trent Dykes will lead the global and US Technology sector.

Richard Reilly will join Isabelle Ord and Margo Tank in leading the US Financial Services sector.

Aidan McCormack will lead the global and US Insurance sector.

Alexandre Bittencourt Calmon will assume the role of global leader of the Energy sector to help further integrate Latin America.

Tom Ara will become the global and US co-leader of the Media, Sport and Entertainment sector.

Cara Edwards will assume the role of office managing partner for New York. Peter Alfano will join Edwards as deputy office managing partner.

Trent Dykes will take on the role of office managing partner for Seattle.

“This incoming group of leaders are highly respected and well-regarded, both within our firm and the industries and sectors in which they practice,” said Frank Ryan, DLA Piper’s Americas chair. “I look forward to the contributions they’ll make towards the continued growth of our firm.”