The financial services litigator spent over 10 years at KWM before making the jump to DLA Piper
A litigator specialising in financial services dispute resolution has swapped global firms.
Matthew Spain joined DLA Piper on 6 July after 13 years with King & Wood Mallesons (KWM). He is a class-action lawyer who has particular expertise in resolving financial services disputes, class actions, regulatory investigations, commissions and inquiries and general commercial litigation.
He has advised top names in the financial services industry, such as IOOF, Zurich, Westpac and ANZ. Throughout his legal career, he has taken on a number of significant cases; he has acted for clients under ASIC and APRA regulatory investigations, and advised a major financial services entity in the first APRA-led regulatory prosecution in more than 10 years.
Spain also acted in a significant matter involving stolen confidential documents that received media attention and was the subject of a Senate inquiry. He has appeared before Victoria’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeal to represent a client, and has also reviewed financial services companies’ compliance with the law.
Spain’s contribution to KWM’s financial services dispute resolution and class actions group makes him a welcome addition to DLA Piper’s partnership, especially with the growing demand for experts in financial services class actions.
“Financial services class actions have been on the rise since 2013, and coupled with the rise in the availability of funding for litigation means we will likely see this trend continue,” said Cameron Maclean, head of the Australian litigation and regulatory practice at DLA Piper. “Matt is a skilled dispute resolution and class actions lawyer, and his capabilities will strengthen our growing litigation practice.”
Spain will be working from the firm’s Melbourne office.
“We are delighted to welcome Matt to our growing Australian partnership. His extensive financial services experience will be a valuable addition to our litigation and regulatory practice, and enhance our class actions offering to local and international clients,” said Amber Matthews, Australia managing partner at DLA Piper.
Earlier this year, the firm had boosted its partnership with hires from PwC and Corrs Chambers Westgarth.
