DLA Piper announced today (15 May) that it is entering Nigeria through an alliance with local firm Olajide Oyewole, following three minor office closures and one opening in the space of two months for the firm. Olajide Oyewole was established in 1966 and is based in Lagos.
DLA managing director for developing markets Andrew Darwin said: ‘The admission of Olajide Oyewole and its people to DLA Piper Africa is a real and significant development and reflects the strong relationship we have developed working together side by side for many years.
‘It is a pleasure to officially welcome them to DLA Piper so that we can continue to support and serve clients together across all regions of this vast continent.’ he added.
In the last few months, DLA has been active in office openings and closures. The firm closed its Berlin office in March as its sole partner there moved to launch DWF’s offering in the German capital. Earlier in March and later in April, DLA also closed its Tbilisi and Canberra offices. In Georgia, all fee earners, including two partners, departed for Dentons.
Also in March, DLA announced it would integrate widely regarded Portuguese firm ABBC into its global network, with 50 lawyers in the firm’s Lisbon headquarters.
DLA has seen global turnover drop to $2.47bn for 2016 as overall profits improved by 6%. Revenue fell 3% from last year’s $2.54bn, while net profit was up to $643.4m from $605.4m the previous year. The fall in turnover came as the firm cut back on its total headcount, reducing the number of lawyers by more than 140 from 3,756 to 3,615, a fall of 4%.
georgiana.tudor@legalease.co.uk
Read more: ‘DLA Piper resolute as it shuts down three minor offices in a month’