DLA Piper Promotes Two as Part of Succession Plan

Megafirm DLA Piper has promoted two partners to the office of chair. According to multiple reports, Roger Meltzer in New York and Jay Rains in San Diego have joined Frank Burch, Lee Miller and Terry O’Malley in the firm’s top management position.

The triumvirate of Burch, Miller and O’Malley have held the office of chair since DLA Piper was created in 2005. The promotions of Meltzer and Rains is considered the initial step in the firm’s succession plan.

Burch, Miller and O’Malley will continue to serve in the office of chair until at least the end of 2012 and possibly beyond.

Meltzer joined DLA Piper in 2007 as the firm’s global chairman of the corporate and finance group from Cahill Gordon & Reindel. Rains serves as co-chairman of the DLA Piper’s corporate and finance practice. He joined the firm from Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich in 2005.

DLA Piper has more than 3,450 attorneys. It was created in 2005 through the merger of Piper Rudnick with San Diego-based Gray Cary and the U.K’s DLA.