DLA Piper Enhances Global Private Equity Practice with Chris Field Appointment

DLA Piper, a leading global law firm, has announced the strategic appointment of Chris Field as a partner in its Corporate practice, effective September 2025. This key hire is intended to strengthen the firm's global private equity (PE) offering, as it continues to expand its market presence in a competitive legal landscape.

Chris Field, a dual-qualified lawyer in England & Wales and South Africa, brings a wealth of experience in private equity and mergers & acquisitions (M&A). Based in DLA Piper's London office, Field is recognized for his expertise in advising a diverse array of global and national private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, and investors on various aspects of PE and M&A activities throughout the UK and Europe. His inclusion in the IFLR 1000 list for PE and M&A underscores his reputation in the field.

Jon Kenworthy, Global Co-Chair of DLA Piper's Corporate Group, expressed optimism about the appointment, stating, "Our global private equity and M&A teams are recognized as some of the industry's most active. With Chris's appointment, we aim to continue to increase our market presence in line with our strategic growth strategy. His cross-border and sector skillset will position our teams to assist clients with complex transactions and leverage our global platform effectively."

DLA Piper has made significant strides in its private equity and M&A practices over the past year. The firm has advised on notable transactions, including Grant Thornton UK's majority investment by the international private equity firm Cinven, and AirTrunk's AUD 24 billion sale to Blackstone, marking it as the largest data center transaction to date within the Australian market. Additionally, DLA Piper assisted Global IBO Group Ltd in its business combination with Bukit Jalil Global Acquisition 1 Ltd, which commenced trading under the ticker symbol "GIBO" on the Nasdaq Global Market on May 9, 2025. Furthermore, the firm provided legal counsel to MidEuropa in acquiring a controlling stake in FAMAR, a prominent pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization.

The firm has consistently been acknowledged for its M&A capabilities, being cited as the highest-ranked legal advisor for M&A (by volume) for 15 consecutive years according to Mergermarket, and recognized as the most active legal advisor for European PE for the seventh consecutive year by PitchBook. These accolades reflect DLA Piper's strong market position and commitment to delivering exceptional legal solutions in the realms of private equity and M&A.

As the legal landscape continues to evolve, DLA Piper's strategic hires like Chris Field may play a crucial role in enhancing the firm's capabilities to navigate complex transactions and meet the evolving needs of clients globally. The implications of this appointment extend beyond mere organizational growth; they signal DLA Piper's commitment to providing comprehensive legal services in a rapidly changing market.

For more information about DLA Piper and its legal services, please visit their official website.