DLA Piper is switching leaders in Australia, with corporate lawyer Shane Bilardi appointed to its country managing partner role, replacing Amber Matthews, from March next year,

Bilardi, currently head of the firm's corporate practice group and part of the Australian leadership team, joined DLA Piper in 2019 from Norton Rose Fulbright.

“I am grateful to Amber for the support she has given me as I prepare to take on this role, as well as her strong leadership and dedication to develop the firm to what it is today,” he said in a statement.

“I’m excited about the future opportunities for the firm–we have a strong trajectory through focussing on our core practice areas and sectors and we will continue to build on these achievements in coming years.”

Matthews will remain with DLA Piper until February next year.

She is in discussions with the firm about a role in driving our ESG strategy and focus across Australia and Asia, the firm said. "However, this is an important juncture in her career and so she will take some time to reflect and carefully consider different potential pathways before she decides on her next step," a spokesperson said.

DLA Piper Australia has experienced year-on-year revenue growth and improved its profitability, the firm said.

“I am proud of the strong position we are in today and the influence I have had on our culture and success. I am proud of our people and the values that define us, of the clients we are privileged to advise and support, and the market-leading work we are doing across the firm to help our clients grow, innovate and succeed,” Matthews said.

“After nearly six years in the role, now is the right time to hand over to Shane so he can lead DLA Piper through its next phase of growth in Australia. I am excited about the future and confident that under his leadership the firm will continue to go from strength to strength.”

In an interview with Law.com International at the start of 2022, Matthews acknowledged the firm was not well recognized in Australia and she wanted to change that.

She wanted the firm to be known for doing more than insurance work and had pushed into finance and corporate and projects practices, international arbitration and construction litigation over the previous decade.

The firm said the number of partners in Australia had increased by about 20% during Matthews’ leadership, with a focus on building out in the practice areas of public and private M&A, funds, and projects, particularly in the renewable energy sector.