DLA Piper appoints new Senior Partner & Global Co-Chairman

DLA Piper has appointed Madrid-based Corporate partner, Juan Picon, as Senior Partner and Global Co-Chairman as of 1 May 2016. The appointment follows the announcement that Sir Nigel Knowles will stand down as of 30 April 2016 to become a consultant to the firm, and a subsequent election process.

Juan joined the firm as Country Managing Partner for Spain in February 2006 from Squire, Sanders & Dempsey. In 2007, he became International Group Head for Corporate,  joined the Executive in 2012 as Joint Managing Director, Groups & Sectors and was most recently appointed as Joint Managing Director, Europe and Middle East in 2014. Juan is also Co-Chair of the firm's Latin American practice alongside Bob Gruendel.

Juan Picon said: "I am absolutely delighted to be appointed to the roles of Senior Partner and Global Co-Chairman. I firmly believe this is a time of great opportunity for the firm. Our vision is to be the leading global business law firm and our strategy to achieve that is the right one. As a result, our brand and profile grows daily.  The firm has an incredible momentum and I believe together, Simon and I, alongside Roger Meltzer and Jay Rains, will guide the firm into the next stage of its development."

Simon Levine, Global Co-CEO, said: "Juan and I have had a close working relationship ever since we were appointed to the Executive in a joint role in 2012.  Not only does Juan's appointment bring a Continental European perspective into the firm's leadership team, he also has a very close working relationship with the Americas, a Latin American practice, and I also have the pleasure of calling him my friend. Juan is the ideal candidate for the role and I'm very much looking forward to working ever closer together."

Roger Meltzer, Global Co-Chairman, added: "I look very forward to working with Juan in this new role. We have a long history of collaborating across regions, practices and sectors, and his insight, wisdom and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to move forward and evolve as a firm.”

Sir Nigel Knowles said: "Over the years Juan has held management roles at the firm that give him a broad perspective across countries, groups and sectors that will be of great benefit to both him and the firm in his new role. As of May, the firm will be under the leadership of a new generation and I know that Juan and Simon make an excellent team and will be able to achieve great things for the firm."