Simon Levine: The Powerful Legal Visionary Who Transformed DLA Piper
From intellectual property lawyer to global co-CEO, Simon Levine built a distinguished career defined by innovation, responsible leadership and international influence. His career shows how legal expertise can grow into firm-wide leadership and lasting impact.
Introduction
Simon Levine is a respected British lawyer, business leader and strategic consultant best known for serving for a decade as DLA Piper’s international managing partner and global co-CEO. His career combines more than 35 years of legal practice with senior management, public governance, and experience in technology, media, sport, and professional services innovation.
During his leadership, Levine helped guide one of the world’s largest law firms through sustained growth, technological change and stronger attention to responsible business. After stepping down from DLA Piper’s top international role in late 2024, he now works as an independent strategic consultant.
Early Education and Legal Foundations
Studying Law at Cambridge
Simon Levine studied law at the University of Cambridge, completing BA and MA qualifications. This education gave him a strong foundation in legal reasoning, commercial awareness and complex regulatory analysis.
He later developed expertise in intellectual property, litigation and regulatory matters involving technology, media and sport. These fields require lawyers to understand changing markets, creative industries and emerging technology, as well as legislation and court decisions.
Developing Specialist Expertise
Levine became known for work involving copyright, trademarks, confidential information, media rights and technology disputes. His practice placed him where law, creativity and commerce meet.
This background shaped his leadership style. Because intellectual property and technology law often involve disruption and uncertainty, lawyers must anticipate change rather than simply respond to it. That forward-looking approach became central to his management career.
Simon Levine’s Rise at DLA Piper
Leadership in Intellectual Property and Technology
Before reaching DLA Piper’s highest international position, Levine held major responsibilities in the firm’s intellectual property and technology practice. As a joint global head, he helped develop the group’s international capabilities and coordinate lawyers across jurisdictions.
Levine later took broader responsibility for the firm’s groups and sectors, which gave him experience across practices, markets and international operations.
Becoming Global Co-CEO
In 2015, Simon Levine began his tenure as DLA Piper’s international managing partner and global co-CEO. The appointment placed him among the most influential leaders in the global legal profession.
Managing an international law firm involves balancing client service, financial performance, talent, technology, risk and culture. Levine approached these responsibilities with a focus on cohesion, innovation and long-term value.
A Powerful Decade of Leadership
Growth, Culture and Client Service
DLA Piper reported revenue and profit growth throughout Levine’s tenure. His legacy, however, extended beyond financial performance. The firm also credited his leadership with strengthening its practices, geographical presence and sector profiles while developing a more confident and values-led culture. In short, his decade combined growth with lasting organisational change.
Levine recognised that lawyers must collaborate across offices and disciplines while responding quickly to complicated client problems. He also kept pace with changing client expectations as businesses increasingly demanded advice on digital transformation, sustainability, regulation, and global risk.
Innovation in Legal Services
Innovation became one of Simon Levine’s strongest professional themes. He promoted technology and new service models as artificial intelligence, data analysis and automated processes began reshaping legal practice.
Recognition as an Innovative Leader
In 2021, the Financial Times recognised Levine for innovative leadership. The award reflected his support for transformation within DLA Piper and his willingness to reconsider how legal services could be delivered. It underscored innovation as one of his defining strengths.
For Levine, innovation also involved improving processes, strengthening collaboration and delivering clearer results for clients. This approach made him an important voice in discussions about the future of professional services.
Responsible Business and Social Impact
Levine also supported DLA Piper’s work in responsible business, sustainability, diversity and social mobility. His tenure reflected the view that successful leadership should combine commercial results with institutional responsibility.
Career After DLA Piper
Strategic Consulting and Advisory Work
Simon Levine completed his term as international managing partner and global co-CEO in late 2024, and Charles Severs succeeded him in DLA Piper’s international leadership.
Levine now works as an independent strategic consultant to professional-services and technology businesses. His experience is relevant to organisations dealing with artificial intelligence, structural change, talent development and changing client expectations.
Public Governance Roles
Levine is deputy chair of the Office for Students, the regulator for higher education in England. He has served on its board since 2018, contributing experience in leadership, governance and professional standards.
He was also appointed as a non-executive director of the Independent Football Regulator. This role aligns with his experience in sport, media, and regulation and demonstrates how his expertise continues to influence sectors beyond legal practice.
Why Simon Levine’s Career Matters
Simon Levine’s career demonstrates how the role of a senior lawyer has changed. Legal leaders now need to understand business strategy, technology, organisational culture and public responsibility, as well as law.
His journey from intellectual property specialist to global co-CEO shows the value of combining technical expertise with the confidence to lead change. His current consulting and governance work also shows how executive experience can remain influential after a formal leadership term ends.
Conclusion
Simon Levine has built a remarkable career across law, management, innovation and governance. His decade leading DLA Piper established him as a major figure in the international legal industry, and his specialist background supported his rise. His career remains defined by leadership that combined commercial performance with forward-looking change.
Today, he is no longer DLA Piper’s global co-CEO. He has entered a new chapter as a strategic consultant and non-executive leader. His work in education regulation, football governance, and professional services strategy confirms that his influence extends beyond the firm he once led.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Simon Levine?
Simon Levine is a British lawyer, strategic consultant and former international managing partner and global co-CEO of DLA Piper.
Is Simon Levine still leading DLA Piper?
No. He completed his tenure as leader in late 2024, and Charles Severs succeeded him.
What type of law did Simon Levine practise?
He specialised in litigation and regulatory matters involving intellectual property, technology, media and sport.
Where did Simon Levine study?
He studied law at the University of Cambridge and completed BA and MA qualifications.
What does Simon Levine do now?
He works as an independent strategic consultant and holds governance roles with the Office for Students and the Independent Football Regulator.
Why is Simon Levine considered influential?
He combined global law firm leadership with commercial growth, innovation, responsible business, and a forward-looking approach to professional services.
