DLA networks

City firm DLA has launched a networking organisation for young business professionals, including associates and more junior lawyers, from across the City.

DLA Network was launched this week with an event for 300 lawyers and their clients addressed by Ernst Malmsten, founder of the dot-com casualty boo.com.

Among the attendees were lawyers from City firms Eversheds, Lawrence Graham, Hammond Suddards Edge, Macfarlanes, Nicholson Graham & Jones, Pinsent Curtis Biddle and US firm White & Case.

The event was also open to members' client contacts, such as Channel 4 and Sainsbury's.

A spokeswoman for the network explained that more junior members of the firm felt the need to network in a focused environment.

'Although we have always had networking opportunities, we felt that as we will eventually be senior members of the firm, we should be forming focused alliances and networks now,' she said.

Members came from all departments of the firm, she added, and the network gave them a chance to make business development contacts from a broad base.

'The events are not just open to lawyers, but a number of professionals: accountants, IT consultants and analysts,' she said.

'We want to help everyone expand their networks.'

She said the response had been positive and the organisation aimed to hold several events annually, featuring a mixture of speakers.

Victoria MacCallum