DLA Piper moots office closures as practice review kicks off
DLA Piper is moving forward with a root and branch review of its practice heralded by the arrival last year of global co-chairman Tony Angel.
Tony Angel
As reported by The Lawyer (26 October 2011), Angel’s arrival had been expected to kick off a period of increased focus on partner performance.
The former Linklaters managing partner was also expected to begin examining DLA Piper’s large office network with a view to slashing costs. That process is thought to include an assessment of whether certain offices could be downsized or closed altogether.
It was also expected to result in an increase of lower-value work being channelled to the alternative business structure LawVest, in which DLA Piper has a stake.
Earlier this year the firm’s backing of LawVest led to angry exchanges at DLA Piper when a number of partners, many understood to be from the regions, expressed their outrage over personal investments by individuals including co-chief executive Sir Nigel Knowles (1 March 2012).
With the review now understood to be underway, several of the firms UK regional offices including Liverpool, Leeds and Glasgow will be in the spotlight.
DLA Piper did not comment.
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Readers' comments (15)
Anonymous | 11-Jun-2012 1:11 pm
Is Tony reviewing himself to see if he is adding value or is he an unjustified expense.
Or is it a case of all animlas are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
In the case of the high billing Leeds Office if they are being treated as local labour no doubt they will have a choice and may even relish the opportunity !
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Anonymous | 12-Jun-2012 2:43 pm
Given the arrogant and careless way in which the firm has grown, those of us sitting on the sides can't help but laugh
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Anonymous | 12-Jun-2012 2:44 pm
As others have said - Leeds and Manchester will be fine - it's their smaller, poorer relations down the M62 and M1 in Liverpool and Sheffield which should be more worried.
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Anonymous | 13-Jun-2012 12:07 pm
To: Anon 2.43pm, 12 June,
In terms of growth, DLA Piper is the most successful law firm of the last 20 years. This kind of strategic overhaul arises as a result of their success.
Those of you sitting on the sides, didn't make as clever choices as those within DLA Piper.
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Anonymous | 13-Jun-2012 10:39 pm
The partners of DLA Piper just need to understand before approving anything that while they may avoid the chainsaw this time, Leatherface will be back for sequels.
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