DLA Piper promotes Pavanie Edirisuriya, Tom Barnes and Aoife O'Gorman to special counsel

DLA Piper promotes Pavanie Edirisuriya, Tom Barnes and Aoife O'Gorman to special counsel

The firm is one of the largest providers of pro bono legal services globally

Global law firm DLA Piper has announced the promotion of corporate lawyers Pavanie Edirisuriya, Tom Barnes and Aoife O'Gorman to the position of Special Counsel.

Speaking about the elevations, Laura Scampion, the managing partner at DLA Piper in New Zealand, commented, "All three are very deserving of their promotions. The value and energy they bring to DLA Piper and our clients are unmatched. I look forward to seeing their continued growth as special counsel."

Pavanie Edirisuriya remarked, "We are seeing a lot of activity in the overseas investment space currently, particularly in the renewable energy and forestry sectors. I am working closely with my clients to navigate changes to the overseas investment regime and the unique challenges faced by investors in the renewables sector."

Tom Barnes stated, "Over recent years we have seen several regulatory changes radically changing the legal and commercial landscape. With the recent passage of the Conduct of Financial Institution's legislation, we can only expect this to continue."

Both Edirisuriya and Barnes joined DLA Piper as solicitors over a decade ago, while Aoife O'Gorman joined in early 2020 after working in major law firms across New Zealand, the UK, and Ireland, her native country.

Edirisuriya has extensive experience in corporate and commercial law and is an expert in the overseas investment regime, regularly advising international clients looking to invest in New Zealand. She has advised on a number of significant transactions, including advising Ingka Investments in several large forestry investments.

She is majorly involved in the firm's diversity and inclusion initiatives. She is a driving force in the firm's Heritage and Identity Project committee. Edirisuriya is also a mentor for Head Start, a social mobility program designed to break down barriers to the legal profession faced by under-represented groups.

On the other hand, Barnes specializes in financial services and acts for a number of New Zealand's leading institutions in the sector, advising on a diverse range of transactional and day-to-day legal matters. He is recognized for his technical expertise, industry knowledge and emphasis on delivering successful client outcomes.

He has worked closely with colleagues internationally to bring solutions including Toko, a digital asset creation engine designed to solve the inefficiencies of today's capital markets by using the best of distributed ledger technology.

Aoife O'Gorman joined DLA Piper's corporate team and previously specialized as a finance lawyer for over a decade. She has a depth of international experience having practiced law across three commonwealth jurisdictions.

She advises both domestic and global clients, with extensive expertise in mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, private equity investments and corporate governance matters. Her clients include Auckland Council, Bessemer Venture Partners, Waterlogic, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa Limited and James Hardie.

A champion of pro bono legal work, last year, she was appointed as co-director of the New Zealand pro bono practice.