DLA PIPER finds an Angel

DLA Piper has appointed Tony Angel as global co-chairman and senior partner of the International LLP. Tony will serve alongside global chairman Francis B. Burch, Jr., and work closely with CEOs Sir Nigel Knowles and Lee I. Miller.

Tony is widely credited with transforming Linklaters into one of the world’s largest and most profitable law firms during his tenure as firm-wide managing partner from 1998-2007. Following his tenure at Linklaters he served as executive managing director and head of EMEA at Standard & Poor’s, where he was a member of the global operating committee and helped guide the credit rating agency through the intense scrutiny that accompanied the global credit crisis.

Tony will work with the senior leadership on the refinement and execution of DLA Piper’s global strategy with a principal focus on improving financial performance and developing capability in key markets. He will be actively involved with recruitment and client development in EMEA and Asia Pacific.

Angel commented: “I look forward to building on my experiences and working closely with Frank, Nigel and Lee in helping DLA Piper reach the next phase of its growth and evolution.”

Tony will be a member of both the global and international boards and executive committees.

NO CHALLENGE FOR KNOWLES

Meanwhile, DLA Piper joint chief exec Nigel Knowles looks set to stand unopposed for re-election, as the period for partners to put themselves forward as candidates for the joint chief executive role has lapsed. Knowles is the only candidate. His three-year term as joint chief executive comes to an end next month. If successful, he will begin his new term in January 2012. Knowles shares the chief executive role with Chicago-based Lee Miller.