DLA Piper adopts global LLP to boost competitiveness

DLA Piper’s partners have approved, by a large majority, a sweeping restructuring that will replace the firm’s existing Swiss verein model with a single global LLP sitting above its current US and International entities, both of which will continue to operate. The change takes effect on 1 May 2026 and is designed to sharpen the firm’s competitive positioning, strengthen its ability to handle complex mandates, and attract talent across practices and markets worldwide.

The new global LLP will dissolve the DLA Piper Global Swiss verein that has governed the firm’s international structure to date.

Leadership structure

The unified leadership team will be headed by Frank Ryan as Global Chair and Co-CEO and Charles Severs as Global Co-CEO. Alongside them, John Gilluly and Loren Brown will serve as Vice Chair, Sandra Wallace and Rick Chesley as Global Co-Managing Partner, and Benjamin Parameswaran as International Managing Director for Clients. Strategic direction will also be guided by a Global Executive Committee and a Policy Committee.

Financial backdrop

The restructuring comes as DLA Piper reported global revenues of $4.6 billion in 2025. The firm says the new structure is intended to build on the results achieved in its first 20 years and to increase market share through unified global focus and coordination.

Pictured Frank Ryans and Charles Severs.