DLA Piper confirms appointment of David Cameron as consultant

David Cameron, former prime minister, has joined DLA Piper as a consultant, confirming initial reports of the move that first surfaced in May.

The appointment was approved by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments on Thursday (5 June).

In his new role, the firm says Cameron will provide strategic guidance, particularly around geopolitical risk, leveraging his decades of experience in international affairs.

Seasoned adviser

Cameron served as prime minister from 2010 until shortly after the Brexit Referendum in 2016. He made a brief return to politics in 2023 as foreign secretary under Rishi Sunak, holding the position until Labour won the general election last year.

Outside of government, Cameron has taken on a variety of business roles. His most notable involvement was as an adviser at Greensill Capital, out of which Cameron found himself embroiled in a lobbying scandal.

Government affairs heavyweight

Cameron joins a growing list of former senior government figures hired by DLA. Notably, former Home Secretary David Blunkett was appointed as an adviser to the firm’s global government affairs team in 2024, while former Cabinet Minister David Lidington became a non-executive director in 2023.

DLA Piper is not alone in employing the services of former politicians. In 2020, former Lord Chancellor David Gauke joined Macfarlanes as head of public policy. That same year, former education minister Nicky Morgan took on a role as consultant at Travers Smith. Both had previously been solicitors at their respective firms before entering politics.

What they said

Frank Ryan, DLA Piper’s co-CEO, said: “Lord Cameron brings a unique perspective to advising the firm on the evolving global landscape. His appointment as Consultant further positions us to counsel clients on navigating challenges and seizing opportunity wherever they do business.”

Charles Severs, Ryan’s counterpart, added: “Lord Cameron's vast experience in global leadership and policymaking will be a tremendous asset to our leadership team. His insights will significantly enhance our ability to deliver exceptional legal services to our clients worldwide."