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DLA Piper adds finance partner
Global law firm DLA Piper has bolstered its finance team by appointing a new partner.
Grace Robbie
David Kirkland (pictured) has joined DLA Piper as a partner in the firm’s finance team based in its Sydney office.
The global law firm shared that Kirkland brings “a wealth of experience” and has a “strong reputation” in the fields of leveraged finance and acquisition finance.
Before joining DLA Piper, Kirkland was with White & Case LLP, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the global law firm’s debt finance practice in Australia in 2022.
Amber Matthews, DLA Piper’s Australia country managing partner, expressed confidence in Kirkland’s appointment, noting his established relationships with major financial institutions and private equity firms.
“David is a leading finance partner in Australia with longstanding relationships with major financial institutions and private equity firms. We are very pleased to have David on board to grow our practice in this important area,” Matthews said.
Alyson Eather, the Australian head of the firm’s finance practice group, shared how Kirkland will be able to enhance the firm’s transactional capabilities” due to his proficiency in managing intricate financial transactions and his comprehensive understanding of the market.
“With extensive experience at leading firms, he has demonstrated exceptional skill in managing complex financial transactions and possesses a deep understanding of the market’s intricacies,” Eather said.
Speaking on his appointment, Kirkland expressed his enthusiasm about joining the firm and his commitment to enhancing DLA Piper’s presence in the debt finance market.
“DLA Piper has shown a clear commitment to expand its transactional offering, and I am extremely excited to help to grow the firm’s presence in the debt finance space,” Kirkland said.
“The collaborative nature of the DLA Piper’s platform, coupled with its international footprint, will ensure that I am able to service my clients in all key markets, and I look forward to working with the broader team as we continue to focus on private capital and other drivers of economic activity.”
This news follows the global law firm’s appointment of a new country partner for Australia in November, the addition of an Australian lawyer as the co-managing partner of DLA Piper’s Oman office in October, the addition of a senior associate from Herbert Smith Freehills to its renewable energy practice in August, and the naming of two new Australia-based partners in April.
