DLA Piper UK LLP

History and Formation

DLA Piper UK LLP traces its corporate lineage to the UK firm Dibb Lupton Broomhead, formed in 1988, and the merger with Alsop Wilkinson in 1996 that created Dibb Lupton Alsop (DLA). In 2005, DLA combined with Piper Rudnick and Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich to form DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP, later shortened to DLA Piper. The UK LLP operates as a separate legal entity within the global Swiss Verein structure but functions as an integrated part of one of the world’s largest law firms by revenue and lawyer count.

Practice Areas

DLA Piper UK LLP’s practice areas span the full spectrum of business law, including arbitration, banking & finance, competition & trade, corporate crime & investigations, corporate finance, employment, energy & natural resources, government affairs, hospitality & leisure, insurance, intellectual property, litigation, mergers & acquisitions, pensions, private equity, real estate, restructuring & insolvency, securities, tax, and technology. The firm is particularly recognised for its market-leading practices in private equity, real estate, and technology transactions, and has been a trusted adviser on many of the UK’s largest public and private M&A deals.

Innovation and Pro Bono

DLA Piper distinguishes itself through sustained investment in innovation, including a dedicated legal technology platform and a global innovation hub that designs new service delivery models. New Perimeter, the firm’s international pro bono practice, provides legal capacity-building in developing countries and has received multiple awards for impact. DLA Piper UK LLP is actively involved in the iGaming and gambling sector, advising on regulatory, commercial, and transactional matters across the UK and European markets, though it is not exclusively a gaming-focused practice.

Leadership and Structure

The UK LLP is led by the International Managing Partner (also Global Co-CEO) and a UK management committee. The firm’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is embedded in its global and local strategies, and it regularly achieves high rankings in employee satisfaction and pro bono metrics. Despite the competitive landscape, DLA Piper UK LLP has maintained a reputation for client-centricity, cross-border capability, and deep sector knowledge, consistently earning top-tier rankings in Chambers and The Legal 500.