DLA Piper Elevates Over 60 Lawyers to Global Partnership in Major 2026 Promotion Round

DLA Piper has revealed that over 60 lawyers will join its global partnership, effective May 1, 2026, marking a significant expansion across its international network and core practice areas.

The Corporate practice group saw the largest number of new partners, with 20 lawyers elevated. Litigation followed with 12 promotions. Other practice areas benefiting from the latest round include Finance, Intellectual Property and Technology, Real Estate, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Employment, Investment Funds, and Tax.

Geographically, the United States led with 24 new partners. Continental Europe followed with 14, while the United Kingdom added nine. Canada and Australia saw six and five promotions, respectively.

Among the newly promoted is Edward Eisdell-Moore, based in Auckland, New Zealand, who joins the partnership in the Intellectual Property and Technology group.

DLA Piper stated that these promotions are part of its ongoing global growth strategy and reflect sustained investment in core client advisory areas, such as corporate transactions, litigation, finance, regulatory matters, intellectual property, and real estate.

In addition to the partnership promotions, Allen Xu will take on the role of Head of Trademark, Copyright and Media in Beijing. Conor Dolphin, currently a senior associate, will remain as Partner-Elect in Australia until eligible for partnership in the third quarter of 2026.

The firm emphasized the qualities of its new partners, highlighting their judgment, solutions-oriented mindset, and collaborative approach. "Our new partners have the sharp judgment, solutions-oriented mindset, and collaborative approach clients expect of DLA Piper. They’ve earned the trust of clients and colleagues alike, and we’re proud to welcome them to the partnership," the firm stated.

DLA Piper further noted, "This is a special moment for each of our new partners, and we congratulate them on an important achievement. Their promotions demonstrate DLA Piper’s depth of talent across the world, the value and quality we offer our clients, and the continued evolution of our global firm."