London – 18 July – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary UK LLP (“DLA Piper”) has announced that Kit Burden, partner and head of the Commercial and Technology Group at Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (“BLG”), is to join its London office as an equity partner.
Kit is a highly experienced IT and e-commerce specialist who has advised on some of the most complex technology and outsourcing transactions in the UK. He has expertise in systems integration, outsourcing and large-scale software development and implementation projects, such as the multimillion outsourcing deal for European travel group, TUI, which was completed earlier this year.
Kit’s extensive range of clients includes leading consultancy firms such as PwC, Ernst & Young and Deloitte.
Kit started his career as a trainee at BLG in 1993 and has gone on to be one of the most widely respected technology partners within the UK legal industry. He became a partner at the firm in 1999 and took up his current position last year having been joint head of the commercial and technology department before this.
DLA Piper has a market-leading Technology, Media and Communications (“TMC”) Group which incorporates the very highly regarded non-contentious IT and telecommunications (“IT&T”) practice, which is particularly noted for its work in the public and financial services sectors. Kit’s appointment will significantly strengthen the non-contentious team in London, which includes five partners. Nationally the IT&T practice has 16 partners and 41 associates and assistants. On the contentious side there are 11 partners and 25 associates and assistants. Working closely with technology partners Danelle Dinsdale, who is based in London, and Richard Bonnar, based in Leeds, Kit will support the development of this team in the UK and also across the rest of Europe.
Simon Levine, Head of the Technology, Media and Communications Group at DLA Piper, commented: “We are delighted that Kit has agreed to join us. He is one of the leading experts in the IT sector and will add to our existing strengths in the TMC department as a whole. I am confident he will play a major part in helping us to consolidate our position as one of the global market leaders in this area.”
Commenting on his appointment, Kit Burden added: “I have had a wonderful time at BLG and am sad to be leaving a great team. However, after fourteen years at the same firm, I have decided it is time for a change and DLA Piper offers an opportunity in terms of its global reach which is probably unparalleled. I hope BLG has many years of success in the future, and I am looking forward to a new challenge at DLA Piper.”
Kit is expected to officially join DLA Piper’s London office in September.
