DLA Piper's Australia managing partner John Weber is to step down at the end of April, after just two years in the role.

Weber joined the firm in 2014 from Australian firm Minter Ellison, where he was managing partner between 2003 and 2008 and chief executive between 2008 and 2014. As part of his role, Weber has a seat on the executive management team of DLA Piper's international partnership, which comprises the firm's business outside the US.

He is set to step down as local managing partner and retire from the firm by the end of April next year.

His replacement will be appointed by Simon Levine, the CEO of DLA Piper International, with the new leader set to take up the role on 1 May 2017.

In a statement, Weber said: "I have enjoyed helping bring about a transformation of the Australian practice and in particular my time working on the executive of the firm. I intend to have a break after I retire from the firm and then look at opportunities outside the legal profession."

Levine said: "John was brought in to help better align the Australian practice to the wider firm and he has done this admirably. In addition, he has been a valuable member of the firm's executive… We wish him every success for the future."

Weber succeeded DLA's chief operating officer Andrew Darwin as Australia managing partner in 2014.

Darwin led the  Australian office for two years, in what was understood to be a troubleshooting mission, having previously been DLA Piper's UK managing partner.

DLA entered the Australian market in 2011 via a merger with best friends firm Phillips Fox. Its Australian arm is fully financially integrated into the international partnership.