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DLA Piper names new Aussie managing partner
Global law firm DLA Piper has appointed a new country managing partner for Australia, who will assume the role in March 2025.
Jerome Doraisamy
DLA Piper has named Shane Bilardi as its new country managing partner for Australia, succeeding Amber Matthews, who has led the firm’s Australian arm since 2019.
Bilardi, who joined DLA Piper in 2019 from Norton Rose Fulbright, is currently the head of the BigLaw firm’s corporate group.
In a statement, the firm noted that Matthews, who will remain in the role until the end of February 2025, has “significantly grown” DLA Piper’s presence and reputation in the Australian market, leading the firm through challenging economic settings, a global pandemic and rapidly changing legal and competitive contexts.
Bilardi will assume his new post on 1 March 2025.
The news follows the appointment of an Australian lawyer as the co-managing partner of DLA Piper’s Oman office in October, the firm’s addition of a senior associate from Herbert Smith Freehills for its renewable energy practice in August, and its naming of two new Australia-based partners in April.
Matthews said: “Leading DLA Piper in Australia through this important period of growth and strategic change has been a fantastic experience. I am proud of the strong position we are in today and the influence I have had on our culture and success.
“I am proud of our people and the values that define us, of the clients we are privileged to advise and support, and the market-leading work we are doing across the firm to help our clients grow, innovate and succeed.
“After nearly six years in the role, now is the right time to hand over to Shane so he can lead DLA Piper through its next phase of growth in Australia. I am excited about the future and confident that under his leadership, the firm will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Bilardi said: “It is an honour to be chosen to lead DLA Piper’s Australian firm. I am grateful to Amber for the support she has given me as I prepare to take on this role, as well as her strong leadership and dedication to develop the firm to what it is today.
“I’m excited about the future opportunities for the firm – we have a strong trajectory through focusing on our core practice areas and sectors, and we will continue to build on these achievements in coming years.”
Jean-Pierre (JP) Douglas-Henry, the firm’s managing director in APAC, said: “Amber has had an impressive tenure leading our Australian firm and has made a significant contribution through various leadership roles both in London and in Sydney throughout her 20-plus year career at DLA Piper.
“As Amber passes the reins to Shane, we look forward to his contributions to the firm in Australia and collaboration across our global business. Shane is an outstanding candidate who will bring a long-term, ambitious, and global mindset to the role, including leading the next phase of our growth strategy.”
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.
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