Former DLA Phillips Fox and DLA Piper Australia managing partner Tony Holland will join Gilbert + Tobin this Friday.

Holland told ALB that he had received an approach from G+T and was attracted to the firm’s “entrepreneurial” culture. “It’s a very interesting firm and I am really looking forward to the new challenge,” Holland said. “I like the way the firm is heading and the way it operates and am looking forward to working with them.”

Holland was at Mallesons until 2008, when he joined DLA Piper in the Middle East before returning to Australia to take the CEO role at what was then DLA Phillips Fox. He says a highlight of his tenure at DLA was the integration of the Australian partnership into the global firm. “My primary role was the full integration of DLA Phillips Fox with DLA Piper which was interesting and challenging,” he said. “I enjoy new challenges and that was one and I’m now moving onto another one.”

ALB understands that a second DLA partner will also be making the switch to G+T this week, a report which Holland declined to comment on.