The co-head of Clifford Chance's fintech practice is moving to DLA Piper. Paul Landless, a partner in the firm's global financial markets group, is leaving after over two decades at Clifford Chance, DLA Piper announced on Thursday. Landless spent time at the firm's London, Singapore and Hong Kong offices. He originally trained at Slaughter and May, according to his LinkedIn profile. His practice specialises in structured finance, derivatives and financial markets products, including securitisations, repackagings, structured notes, securities lending. He co-headed the firm's global fintech practice after launching and co-heading the tech group in 2017 with a particular focus on in digital assets, crypto markets, crypto derivatives, and algorithmic trading, amongst others. In a statement, Colin Wilson, international group head of DLA Piper’s finance practice, commented: "Paul is a highly skilled and well-respected practitioner who will bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and capabilities to our international fintech offering." The move comes as a rare departure for Clifford Chance, which doesn't tend to see many its partners move to other firms. Last year, the firm suffered a blow when three of its private equity partners — Chris Sullivan, Oliver Marcuse and finance specialist Taner Hassan — defected to U.S. firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Those departures prompted a slew of hires in its private capital group, including Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom heavyweight Bruce Embley. A spokesperson for Clifford Chance said: "We thank Paul for his contributions to the firm and wish him well for the future."