In late January, DLA Phillips Fox announced what the whole legal world knew for some time – it would soon be officially merging with affiliate DLA Piper. The official announcement came approximately two months after we reported rumours that the firm was set for a mid-year arrival. Yes, you will remember that we told you on 1 December 2010 that:
Firm Spy has heard repeatedly that May 1 2011 may also be the arrival date of DLA Piper.
We also mentioned 1 July 2010, but yes, we’re claiming the scoop. And we need to, given that we missed the Clifford Chance merger (although we knew a Mallesons/Clifford Chance merger was 100% off the agenda when Mallesons made up 11 partners in December last year – however, we still believe it was very much on the agenda at least until September 2010).
Well, today we’re breaking slightly new ground – raising an issue that might affect the prospective DLA Piper arrival. We received the following comments from an anonymous spy in late January:
Firm Spy I dont think you have done justice to the howler that DLA Phillips Fox chief Tony Holland made in trotting off to Dubai in 2008. For the record, in mid 2007 Mallesons construction partner Damian McNair raised the idea of a foray in the UAE, primarily constituted by a projects group. That idea was correctly shot down by the Mallesons board, but this didn’t stop McNair heading to Dubai to work with DLA Piper.
After watching for a few months from afar, Tony considered the tax-free dollars irresistible and resolved to join McNair and several other ex-Mallesons lawyers in the sand capital. He even took his secretary with him.
What we all find bewildering now is that Tony is still going! When he left, he made it quite clear that his intention was to work only for another couple of years before retiring. I cant imagine that information is too good for DLA Piper partners readying to vote on a merger…
No, that could be a DLA Phillips Fox Hole!
We put the retirement allegation to Tony, as well as asking him if he was prepared “to comment on whether the Mallesons board “got it right” in declining the invitation from Damian McNair to open a Dubai office”, to which he responded:
Regarding your first point, I never gave such comments. I have not had, and do not now have, any retirement plans. I am fully committed to ensuring the future success of our firm, particularly at this exciting time in our firm’s history as we move to integrate with DLA Piper.
Regarding your second point, it isn’t appropriate for me to comment on whether any other firm may or may not have considered any matters.
Indeed it is an exciting time for Tony and the DLA team and whether or not he ever made the retirement mutterings, now is probably not the time he would be considering retirement. In a feature post next week we will consider the implications of the DLA Piper arrival, as well as the Clifford Chance announcement yesterday. So stay tuned!
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These jokers DLA Phillips Fox are representing the ST KILDA school girl. Should be a walk in the park for me to win this one then…