Global law firm DLA Piper has appointed leading transactional lawyer, Stefan Luke, as a partner of the firm effective today, 8 May 2018. He joins DLA Piper’s Corporate practice, based in Brisbane, from King & Wood Mallesons where he was also a partner.

Stefan's broad transactional experience spans mergers and acquisitions (public and private), private equity transactions and major projects. He is experienced in capital raisings (both IPOs and secondary raisings) and regularly advises clients on general corporate, governance, securities law and listing rule matters across a range of industry sectors, including energy, resources and projects, major infrastructure, food and agribusiness, entertainment and industrials.

Stefan has advised on complex transactional arrangements, including energy, resources and infrastructure related joint ventures as well as on major commercial contractual arrangements including rail haulage contracting and related rail operational matters.

Jim Holding, Co-Managing Partner in Australia said: ""We are delighted to welcome Stefan to the firm. His appointment expands our transactional capabilities in the region, particularly in the energy, resources and infrastructure sectors.""

Grant Koch, Head of Corporate in Australia said: ""Stefan's experience advising clients on complex transactional matters, specifically public M&A, equity raisings and major projects, represents a valued addition to our busy Corporate practice.""

This follows the appointment of partner Natalie Caton to DLA Piper’s Litigation and Regulatory practice earlier this year as well as four partner promotions made in the Asia Pacific region on 1 May 2018, including Alyson Eather (Finance, Projects and Restructuring) and Eddie Ahn (Tax) in Australia, Christina Loh (Corporate) in China and Don Rojanapenkul (Litigation and Regulatory) in Thailand.

Melinda Upton, Co-Managing Partner in Australia said: ""We continue to invest in and support the development of our people across a broad range of strategic practices, sectors and geographies. These additions to our partnership enable us to best respond to client demand in the region and further expand our global offering to our multi-national clients.""