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Capital markets

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DLA Piper

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DLA Piper’s ECM team is noted for its cross-border strengths, particularly for its capabilities advising US companies pursuing IPOs and raisings in the Australian market. David Ryan is a seasoned operator with extensive experience in public M&A and capital raisings matters. Ryan co-leads the practice alongside Kelly Morrison who is praised as ‘one of the best capital markets lawyers in the country’. David Holland joined the team in February 2025, while James Nicholls departed in the same month.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Lawyering is what Kelly Morrison does best.’

  • ‘Kelly Morrison is one of the best capital markets lawyers in the country. Responsive and resourced well to execute ours and our clients needs. Strong advice provided.’

  • ‘DLA Piper's team has a very capable partner in Owen Alcorn. Owen is very knowledgeable, pragmatic at all times, knows when to pick his fights and has a knack for explaining the complicated effortlessly.'

  • 'Owen Alcorn's personal style permeates his team which gives clients comfort in terms of consistency of service but also ensures the work is pushed down to the appropriate level without compromise on quality and manner of service.’

  • ‘The DLA Piper Team are knowledgeable, pragmatic, accessible and prompt.'

  • 'Owen Alcorn would have few peers in his area of expertise and was always a delight to interact with, nothing was too trivial to explain when asked to do so. Sharon Carey kept us updated on progress.’

  • 'Both David Ryan and Kelly Morrison have been responsive, knowledgeable and to-the-point in their reviews and advice.'

Key clients

  • Life360, Inc.
  • Web Travel Group Limited
  • Macquarie Technology Group Limited
  • DroneShield Limited
  • Leichhardt Industrials Group Pty Limited
  • SPC Global Ltd
  • POSCO International Corporation
  • MA Moelis Australia Advisory Pty Ltd
  • Morgans Corporate Limited
  • Income Asset Management Group Limited

Work highlights

Advised an ASX 100 company Life360, Inc. on its US IPO and Nasdaq listing, the first Nasdaq listing by a US company with an existing ASX listing.
Advised Web Travel Group Limited (ASX:WEB) on the demerger of its B2C business via an in-specie distribution of shares, and the listing of the B2C business on the ASX as "Webjet Group Limited".
Advised DroneShield Limited (ASX: DRO) on its successful AUD 120 million capital raise in August 2024, following on from its AUD 100 million raise in April 2024.

Practice head

David Ryan

Other key lawyers

Kelly Morrison; David Holland; Owen Alcorn; Sharon Carey