Leadership Overview
DLA Piper has 4 executives leading key functions including strategy, technology, communications, and legal operations.
Driven by integrated teams, DLA Piper provides clients with legal and business solutions locally, regionally, and internationally, leveraging extensive experience across diverse disciplines to achieve optimal outcomes.
Driven by integrated teams, DLA Piper provides clients with legal and business solutions locally, regionally, and internationally, leveraging extensive experience across diverse disciplines to achieve optimal outcomes.
Leadership Roles at DLA Piper
Francis Ryan - Global Chair, Global Co-Chief Executive Officer & Partner
Francis Ryan, the Global Chair, Global Co-Chief Executive Officer & Partner at DLA Piper, directs the firm's overarching global strategy and operational execution. Overseeing the firm's extensive network of lawyers and professionals across numerous jurisdictions, Ryan ensures cohesive service delivery that aligns with client needs and market dynamics. This leadership role involves driving the firm's growth initiatives and maintaining its position as a premier global law firm. Ryan's strategic vision guides the integration of legal expertise with business solutions, fostering an environment where diverse teams collaborate effectively to address complex international challenges. The Global Chair's responsibilities extend to fostering key client relationships and championing the firm's commitment to innovation and client service excellence. Francis Ryan's influence shapes the firm's direction, ensuring its continued success in providing comprehensive legal counsel worldwide.
Karen Christensen - Deputy Chief Information Officer
Karen Christensen, the Deputy Chief Information Officer at DLA Piper, supports the strategic direction and implementation of the firm's global technology infrastructure. Christensen focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and security across all digital platforms, ensuring seamless integration of IT solutions that empower legal professionals. This role involves managing key technology projects and collaborating with IT leadership to deploy innovative tools that support client service delivery and internal operations. The Deputy Chief Information Officer plays a crucial part in optimizing the firm's technological resources to meet the evolving demands of the legal industry. Christensen's efforts contribute directly to the firm's ability to provide cutting-edge legal and business solutions. Karen Christensen's leadership in technology ensures DLA Piper maintains a robust and forward-thinking digital environment.
Lauren Mistretta - Chief Communications Officer
Lauren Mistretta, the Chief Communications Officer at DLA Piper, directs the firm's global communication strategies and brand management initiatives. Mistretta oversees all internal and external communications, ensuring consistent messaging that reflects the firm's values and market position. This leadership function involves developing and executing comprehensive communication plans that enhance stakeholder engagement and support business objectives. The Chief Communications Officer is pivotal in shaping the firm's public image and fostering strong relationships with clients, media, and employees. Mistretta's expertise ensures that DLA Piper's narrative is effectively communicated across all platforms, reinforcing its reputation as a leading global law firm. Lauren Mistretta's strategic approach to communications drives brand visibility and strengthens the firm's connection with its diverse audience.
Elisha King - Partner & Global Chief Legal Officer
Elisha King, the Partner & Global Chief Legal Officer at DLA Piper, provides critical legal counsel and oversight for the firm's global operations. King ensures adherence to legal standards and manages the firm's internal legal affairs, safeguarding its compliance and ethical framework. This role involves advising on complex legal matters that impact the firm's business strategy and operational integrity. The Global Chief Legal Officer is instrumental in navigating the intricate legal landscape that governs international law practices. King's deep understanding of legal disciplines supports the firm's commitment to delivering integrated legal and business solutions worldwide. Elisha King's leadership ensures DLA Piper maintains the highest standards of legal practice and corporate governance.

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The worlds biggest international organisations rely on us to help them make the right decisions in a fast-changing world. We combine the knowledge, experience and energy of the whole firm to solve our clients most complex challenges, wherever and whenever they arise. Our global teams span specialisms, regions and industries to deliver against three fundamental client needs: transactional, regulatory, risk. Here youll find our lawyers latest perspectives on the business, legal and wider issues that matter. Explaining the culture of a firm is always difficult. But we think ours is special. Helping businesses make confident decisions. We combine the knowledge, experience and energy of the whole firm to solve the biggest global organisations' most complex challenges, wherever and whenever they arise. Whether its entering new markets, defending corporate reputation or managing multijurisdictional regulation, we are renowned for breaking new legal ground to help our clients go further. Set out below is our statement of who we are. It embodies our ambition to be exceptional, our culture and our absolute determination that all of us will work with each other, our clients and our other stakeholders, day in day out, in the way we describe to help our clients go further. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job, whatever our role in the firm. We observe the highest personal, ethical and professional standards in everything we do and operate with integrity at all times. We recognise that the reputation of our firm is vital to our success and we all have a duty to preserve and grow it for the long term. We value people and treat them with respect, consideration and courtesy We are a people business. Diversity is a strength and we value the fresh perspectives, creative ideas and connections that flow from bringing together people with different backgrounds. We seek to create a welcoming, supportive environment in which all can flourish. Find out more about our diversity and inclusion initiatives.
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