DLA Piper's Structural Shift Reflects a Changing Legal Landscape
A recent Law.com International article by Habiba Cullen-Jafar and Jon Campisi examines DLA Piper's decision to move away from its verein structure in favour of closer financial integration — and what this signals for the broader global legal market.
The piece explores the growing tensions inherent in verein arrangements: from challenges around profit-sharing and cross-border collaboration, to the difficulty of aligning incentives across separate legal entities. Several major firms have recently moved toward greater financial consolidation, while others have opted to separate entirely.
Siobhan Lewington, co-office managing partner for Macrae London, comments in the piece, noting that the Taylor Wessing merger with Winston Strawn has been viewed by many as a turning point for the verein model:
"The appeal of the verein structure seems to have waned in recent years, and the Taylor Wessing merger with Winston is seen by some as a turning point."
Lewington also points to the nuance in the debate, observing that the structure's value ultimately depends on a firm's strategic objectives:
"I think it depends on a firm's strategic goals and in the case of a very large firm, it may provide the most efficient structure."
As consolidation reshapes the global legal market, the question of how firms organise themselves across borders will have significant implications for leadership, talent, and lateral movement.
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