London – 13 May – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary International LLP, the European and Asian board at DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary (“DLA Piper”), is pleased to announce that Peter Wayte has been elected senior partner for Europe and Asia. Peter succeeds Roger Lane-Smith who served as senior partner for seven years.
Peter Wayte, a partner in the corporate practice in London, has already played an important strategic role in the business in his role as a board member. Peter was elected as a member of the board, which now covers Europe and Asia, in 1996 and since this time his influence and leadership has reinforced DLA Piper’s focused strategic approach. One of his most recent achievements was to successfully direct DLA’s merger proposal with US-based Piper Rudnick. The two parties and Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP subsequently merged on 1 January 2005 to create one of the largest, full service legal services organisations in operation across the globe.
In his new role as senior partner for Europe and Asia, Peter will chair the board and the partner promotions sub-committee. He will also champion other essential areas including the corporate social responsibility agenda across Europe and Asia.
Roger Lane-Smith will continue to act as a consultant for DLA Piper despite the fact that he has stepped down. He will formally hand over to Peter Wayte at a partners conference being held on 14 May 2005.
When commenting on his election Peter said: “I feel privileged to have been elected as senior partner and I look forward to continuing to assist in the development of DLA Piper and working with a great bunch of colleagues and clients in an exciting business.”
Nigel Knowles, Managing Partner of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary UK LLP, said: “I am truly delighted to welcome Peter Wayte as senior partner. He has been a part of the business for many years now and through his board involvement Peter has already made a very significant contribution to the business. Peter was a natural choice for partners when considering who they should elect and I know that he will carry on the good work that Roger started seven years ago.”
Partners across Europe and Asia formally elected Peter Wayte as senior partner in April this year. He will sit for a term of three years. Peter also sits on DLA Piper’s global board.
