DLA Piper votes to ditch verein structure as it targets market share gains

DLA Piper partners have voted to dissolve the firm’s verein structure, moving to a more unified global model.

To take effect on 1 May, the new corporate structure will see the model replaced with a global LLP that sits above the existing US and international entities, which are legally divided into two LLPs under the current structure.

In its announcement on Friday (24 April), co-CEO Charles Severs called the restructure “the next step in two decades of successful collaboration between our US and International businesses” and said that the move “reflects our shared confidence that DLA Piper can take market share when the firm operates with unified global focus and coordination."

The firm will continue to be led by its current co-CEOs, Americas chair Frank Ryan, who will hold the title of global chair and co-CEO, and London-based Severs, who currently also serves as international managing partner.

Other senior roles will be split across the US and international business. US partners John Gilluly and Loren Brown will become vice chairs, while current global managing partner Richard Chesley will step into the global co-managing partner role alongside UK-based Sandra Wallace. Hamburg partner Benjamin Parameswaran will serve as international managing director for clients.

No official announcement has been made regarding London partner Jon Hayes, who currently sits on the global leadership team as global co-chair and senior partner.

‍Are we in the last days of the verein?

Historically popular with sprawling multinational operations, the Swiss verein is increasingly being reconsidered as firms look for closer integration.

DLA’s leadership have pointed to increased profitability, the ability to attract better talent through unified global partnership model and globalisation as key motivators behind the decision to restructure.

The verein model allows independent member firms across jurisdictions to operate under a shared brand while remaining legally separate entities. For law firms, this typically means profit pools are kept separate and there is no single global balance sheet.

DLA adopted the structure in 2005 as it expanded internationally. Today, it has over 90 offices worldwide across 40 countries.

Several major firms still use the model, including Dentons, Baker McKenzie, Eversheds Sutherland and Norton Rose Fulbright.