DLA Liverpool hit by trio of departures

DLA Piper’s Liverpool office will see a wave of departures over the next few weeks, with exits from senior members of the corporate, employment and property litigation teams.

The office’s former managing partner Michael Prince, currently a corporate partner with the firm, will be embarking on a new career as non-executive chair of housebuilder David McLean and non-executive director on the board of developer Downing. He will be retained at DLA as a consultant.

“We won’t be replacing him with somebody of his seniority,” commented Philip Rooney, head of the Liverpool office.

Meanwhile, head of property litigation Kevin Lee and head of employment Mark Leach will leave for rival northern firms by the start of next year. Lee will join Halliwells and Leach will head to Weightmans.

Rooney put the timing of the moves down to pure coincidence and noted that the practices concerned would continue to grow.

DLA Piper is currently recruiting to replace Lee, while associate Mark Dale will head the Liverpool employment team, working alongside the north west head of the practice Mary Clarke.