DLA’s Sheffield managing partner steps down

RICHARD May, the managing partner of law firm DLA Piper’s Sheffield office, has stepped down from the role to concentrate on his position as global head of manufacturing.

Richard will also continue to lead the law firm’s Sheffield corporate team. 

Petra Billing, partner and head of property litigation in Sheffield and Birmingham has been named as his successor and took over the role at the start of this month.

 

Sandra Wallace, DLA Piper’s UK managing partner, said: “I would like to thank Richard, both personally and on behalf of the firm, for his insight, dedication and commitment to the Sheffield office and his continuing commitment to the firm. 

“Petra Billing  will take on the leadership of the office from Richard. She is a leading commercial property litigator with a national reputation and the UK and EMEA head of DLA Piper’s global mining sector. 

“Petra is extremely well connected locally and nationally and  has played an integral part in the development of the office in recent years. Consistently ranked as a leading legal practice in the region, our Sheffield office and its people are known for their exceptional quality. The breadth and depth of commercial services and the experience gained on market-leading deals ensures the office will continue to go from strength to strength. Petra is and will be a great ambassador for  the firm.”

 

Petra Billing added: “Richard has made a substantial contribution to the Sheffield office of our firm and has been consistently passionate about its people, its involvement in the community and the work it undertakes across the region and beyond, just as I am. 

“Richard is a very tough act to follow and I feel very privileged to be asked to take on this role.I will focus on the continued success and growth of the DLA Piper business in the Sheffield office,  given the opportunities presenting themselves across the region, nationally and internationally.”