Chris Smith, a real estate lawyer who joined Shearman & Sterling more than 40 years ago after law school, is making his first lateral move at age 67 to DLA Piper.

The longtime Shearman partner, whose clients include real estate mogul Sheldon Solow and AIG Global Real Estate, joined DLA on Thursday as co-chairman of its New York real estate practice. Smith’s practice focuses on joint ventures, funds, financing, direct investments, development and acquisitions as well as leasing and renovations.