DLA Piper Hired Three Senior Lawyers

The firm recruited three senior attorneys from Latham & Watkins to boost its private credit division.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Corporate Finance

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DLA Piper has added three senior lawyers to its capital solutions business. The move is designed to support the expansion of the firm's private credit market operations.

Why it matters

This strategic recruitment effort reflects a broader push by global law firms to capitalize on the increasing demand for specialized private credit legal counsel. By securing talent from a top competitor, DLA Piper aims to strengthen its competitive position in the capital solutions sector.

DLA Piper recruited 3 senior attorneys from Latham & Watkins to join its capital solutions business. The lead hire, Jesse Sheff, brings 16 years of experience from his previous firm.

The players

DLA Piper

This is a global law firm that provides a wide range of legal services to clients across various industries.

Latham & Watkins

This is a prominent international law firm known for its work in corporate, litigation, and financial legal practice areas.

Jesse Sheff

He is the lawyer appointed to lead the new group at DLA Piper following a 16-year tenure at Latham & Watkins.

The details

The recruits will integrate directly into DLA Piper's private credit group, focusing on the firm's evolving capital solutions business. This transition involves senior staff moving from their long-term roles at Latham & Watkins to support new corporate mandates.

DLA Piper announced the hiring of three senior lawyers on October 12, 2026.

Market Dynamics

This move mirrors the industry-wide effort to align legal staffing with the rise of private credit as a primary non-bank lending source for corporate finance. By capturing senior expertise, the firm is positioning itself to handle the complexity of modern capital solutions in a shifting economic landscape.

Retail investors and corporate clients may see an increase in the availability of sophisticated debt restructuring and private credit financing options. These changes in legal staffing can lead to more specialized support for complex financial transactions that impact portfolio outcomes.

The takeaway

Large law firms are increasingly prioritizing private credit expertise to manage the growing complexity of modern corporate lending markets. Clients seeking specialized legal support in this sector can expect expanded service capacity from firms aggressively recruiting top-tier talent.