DLA PIPER STRENGTHENS YORKSHIRE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

18th January 2013

DLA Piper has strengthened its Construction team in Sheffield with the appointment of Simon Palmer as partner and Luke Baines as legal director.

 Simon, who joins from Addleshaw Goddard's offices in Leeds and London, specialises in dispute resolution for the construction sector and will work closely with the DLA Piper Litigation & Regulatory group in this specialist area. Previously head of Construction Litigation at Addleshaw Goddard, his practice covers domestic and international dispute resolution and he has considerable experience of ICC arbitrations, mediations, adjudications and Technology and Construction Court litigation. His cases cover major projects abroad and at home, including the new Wembley stadium, power stations and process plant.  Simon is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. His lecturing on construction and commercial dispute resolution includes Leeds Carnegie University and the College of Law (York), as well as in North America, Japan and South Korea.  Luke Baines has over ten years' experience in construction and engineering law and joins the Sheffield team following a decision to relocate from Perth, Australia. Prior to his time overseas, Luke was part of the Construction team at Olswang before helping to lead the London Construction team at McGrigors (now Pinsent Masons). In addition to extensive experience in the UK and Europe, Luke has developed specialist knowledge of energy and mining projects during his time in Australia.  Nigel Howard, location head of Real Estate at DLA Piper in Sheffield, said: "these are significant appointments for our Construction group, adding a further layer of expertise to our offering and bolstering our construction and engineering team.  "With over 20 years' experience, Simon is a well-known contentious construction lawyer with an established reputation in both the UK and our key international markets. Equally, Luke brings with him significant residential, leisure, retail and mining experience to fit alongside our current work streams. Their appointments will greatly benefit our client base throughout Yorkshire and beyond."  Simon and Luke's arrivals follow the promotions last May of Ian Doig to partner and Lynne Auchterlonie to associate in the Construction team.