DLA Piper sees net debt increase by 80% to £53m

DLA Piper's net debt grew by 80% to £53m, during the 2008-09 financial year. DLA's staff costs increased £237.9m, the firm's limited liability partnership (LLP) filings. The number of fee earners grew by 148 to 1,847. DLA's highest-paid lawyer earned £1.4m in 2008-09, compared to a figure of £1.7m in the year before.