David Taylor’s arrival at DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary to head the UK practice breathed entrepreneurial life into the firm’s real estate practice. In the past 18 months alone, Taylor has brought clients such as British Land, Amec, National Grid Properties, Capital & Provident, Swindon Borough Council and Burberry into the firm’s fold, while propelling it up the rankings, particularly on redevelopment projects. Since arriving at DLA Piper, Taylor has led a team that has won panel places with English Partnerships, London Thames Gateway Development Corporation and Bovis Lendlease.

Taylor’s ambitions are not stopping at London. The 2005 merger with US giant Piper Rudnick Gray Carey propelled him to co-head of the combined global real estate group - the largest in the world. Taylor is one of the most influential figures in a very ambitious firm.