17 March 2010 – LawFuel.com – DLA Piper today announced that Russell Orme has been appointed as the new managing partner of the Birmingham office, effective 1 April 2010. Russell, who heads the Corporate practice in Birmingham, succeeds Chris Rawstron, who will retire from the partnership on 31 March 2010 but will remain as a consultant to the firm.
Russell joined DLA Piper in 1997 and was appointed Head of Corporate in Birmingham in 2000. Russell will continue to lead the Corporate team when he succeeds Chris, who has been at DLA Piper for 13 years. Chris was appointed as Head of Corporate for Birmingham in 1998 and he quickly established himself as an important member of the UK management team. In 1999, he was named managing partner of DLA Piper’s Birmingham office and he also served as a member of the global board from 2005 to 2006.
Chris will remain as a consultant to DLA Piper following his retirement.
“On behalf of everyone at the firm I want to thank Chris for the significant contribution that he has made to the firm and wish him well for the future, said David Bradley, UK Managing Partner at DLA Piper.”
“This is certainly not good bye, as through his role as a consultant to the firm we will continue to benefit from Chris’ extensive management experience and knowledge of the region. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Russell to his new role. He is the ideal person to succeed Chris and I am confident that our Birmingham office will continue to flourish under his leadership.”
Chris commented: “I have felt very privileged being at the helm of DLA Piper’s Birmingham office for the last 11 years and I am very proud of the success we have achieved locally and the firm’s great achievements internationally. I am delighted to be handing over the reins to Russell with whom I have worked for over 20 years and who I know will continue to ensure that our clients receive the very highest quality of service, support and advice. Whilst I am looking forward to pursuing new challenges I am delighted to be staying involved with the firm through my consultancy.”
Russell Orme added: “Chris has made an immeasurable contribution to the success of DLA Piper’s Birmingham office – the record speaks for itself. We have been close friends and colleagues for what seems a lifetime and naturally, the place will not be the same without him for many of us. However, I am very excited to take on the role of Managing Partner in Birmingham particularly, at this time. We could not be better positioned for three key reasons: we have a very special team of partners and staff that are fit for the future; we have much valued national and international client relationships and contacts who support us and us them; and, we are able to offer the highest quality of service both domestically and across the globe to match our clients requirements. For these key reasons we will be able to take advantage of the opportunities thrown up by the current business environment and I look forward to the challenge with relish.”
