Dechert LLP > Washington DC, > Firm Profile
Dechert LLP Offices
1900 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON DC 20006
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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Dechert LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
United States > Antitrust > Merger control Tier 3
Dechert LLP handles merger clearances for public companies, private equity funds, and their portfolio companies, combining work on HSR filings and joint venture approvals with notable litigation capabilities and regular roles representing third-party challengers to high-profile mergers in proceedings brought by the FTC and DOJ, as well as before international antitrust regulators and state attorneys general. The team has broad sector expertise, with notable involvements in the retail, healthcare, and energy industries, with practice co-head Mike Cowie a go-to for contentious merger work in the life sciences and healthcare space, and a former FTC official alongside James A Fishkin , who has in-agency experience of merger trials. Steven Bizar co-leads the team from Philadelphia, while Shari Ross Lahlou is noted for her expertise in investigations and merger-related litigation, and Rani Habash continues to expand his reputation with regular work for major healthcare clients such as CVS Health and Aetna. The team was bolstered by the February 2023 arrival of the experienced Jay Jurata, a specialist in tech platforms deals, from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Lawyers are in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.Practice head(s):
Mike Cowie; Steve Bizar
Other key lawyers:
James Fishkin; Shari Ross Lahlou; Rani Habash; Jay Jurata
Key clients
Aetna
Court Square Capital
CVS Health
Henry Crown
DTE Energy
Diamonds Direct
Jacksons Food Stores
One Equity Partners
Work highlights
- Represented Jacksons Food Storeson its purchase of 63 fuel outlets and convenience stores required as part of a FTC consent decree resolving competitive concerns related to 7-Eleven, Inc.’s US$21 billion acquisition of Speedway from Marathon Petroleum Corp.
- Advising Court Square Capital Partners on its sale of Getaroom, a leading B2B hotel accommodations distributor, to Booking Holding.
- Representing Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers in its agreement to acquire Euro Auctions.
United States > Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4
Lawyers at Dechert LLP ‘operate in a result-oriented manner by targeting significant and striking points‘, according to clients. With a track record of success in both commercial and investor-state cases, the team acts for a diverse mix of corporate and sovereign clients in arbitral, enforcement and annulment proceedings. Arif H. Ali, who splits his practice between Washington DC and London, co-chairs the global group and has strong recent experience in the energy and natural resources, construction, hospitality, and internet governance spheres, among others. Alexandre de Gramont, who led on several state-side investment-related arbitrations over the past year, and associate David Attanasio are also noted in Washington DC.Practice head(s):
Arif H. Ali
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is quite successful in understanding complex conflicts and conveying them in writing, while tailoring the story according to the audience, especially when it comes to funding arbitration cases.’
‘It is great that lawyers operate in a result-oriented manner by targeting significant and striking points, especially in investment arbitration cases, which might involve complex party interactions and large claims.‘
Key clients
MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas PLC (MOL)
AsiaPhos Limited
The Republic of Poland
The Dominican Republic
The Republic of Ecuador
Altanovo (formerly known as Afilias USA, Inc.)
Work highlights
- Representing MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas in an ICSID arbitration against Croatia under the Energy Charter Treaty, in a dispute concerning Croatia’s treatment of MOL’s investment exceeding $1bn.
- Representing Singaporean investors, AsiaPhos and Norwest Chemicals, in an investor-state arbitration against the People’s Republic of China concerning measures taken in its phosphate mining sector.
- Secured a victory for Altanovo Domains (formerly Afilias USA) against the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.
United States > International Trade > Customs, export controls and economic sanctions Tier 5
The Washington DC-based team at Dechert LLP possesses extensive experience in supporting US and foreign clients on highly sensitive economic sanctions and export controls-related matters. Advising on the full scope of compliance, investigations and enforcement, the group had strong recent activity in the technology, energy, financial services, and aerospace and defense sectors. Most notably, department head Jeremy B. Zucker recently paired up with up-and-coming partner Darshak Dholakia to advise Huawei on sanctions and export controls issues in relation to ongoing US Government investigations. Former global trade chair Amanda DeBusk recently retired.Practice head(s):
Jeremy B. Zucker
Other key lawyers:
Darshak Dholakia; Hrishikesh Hari
Testimonials
‘The team is well versed in not only the law but the government personnel who make decisions. That allows for more streamlined handling of regulatory matters.’
‘We value the team’s responsiveness and experience. Darshak Dholakia and Jeremy Zucker are our go-to partners.’
Key clients
Xiaodi Hou, former CEO of TuSimple
Huawei Technologies
Francisco D’Agostino
Ashraf Seed Ahmed Hussein
Aliaksei Aleksin
Asia Green Development Bank
Keysight Technologies
Etsy
Grindr
GIC (Singapore Sovereign Wealth Fund)
Graham Partners
Work highlights
- Representing Huawei on sanctions and export controls issues in connection with ongoing US Government investigations.
- Representing five different sanctioned clients in connection with submitting petitions to OFAC seeking their removal from sanctions lists.
United States > Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes
United States > Dispute resolution > International litigation
Acting for corporates, sovereign states, financial institutions and creditors, Dechert LLP has broad international litigation experience including acting in parallel proceedings across multiple jurisdictions as well as distressed financial situations, investigations and judgement enforcement. Catherine Botticelli and Jonathan Streeter, based in Washington DC and New York respectively, lead the practice. Meanwhile, Andrew Levander and Mauricio España, based in New York, focus on commercial litigation, white-collar and regulatory investigations. Also in New York is Linda Goldstein who concentrates on securities litigation including claims brought by institutional investors and class actions, and co-head of the firm’s insolvency litigation group, Gary Mennitt, is experienced in multinational contentious matters particularly relating to creditors’ rights and bondholders.Practice head(s):
Jonathan Streeter; Catherine Botticelli
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
OCI Solar Power LLC
Flo Health, Inc.
Esprit Holdings Limited
Secure Energy, Inc.
Minister of Finance of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Bank Audi SAL
BLOM Bank
ULMA PIPING USA CORP.
Chubb Seguros Peru, S.A.
Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
Work highlights
- Representing Flo Health with eight U.S. federal class actions being tried in the Northern District of California, one Israeli class action, three Canadian class actions, a Congressional Oversight Committee investigation, a FTC investigation, a Norwegian investigation, and a GDPR investigation—all regarding allegations of user privacy violations.
- Secured a victory at the pleading stage for the Arab Republic of Egypt in the Southern District of New York.
- Represented BLOM Bank in a series of lawsuits plaintiffs sought to extend the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act liability to more than a dozen Lebanese banks in which the Court held that plaintiffs’ allegations against BLOM Bank were critically deficient.
United States > Real estate > Real estate finance
United States > Investment fund formation and management > Mutual/registered/exchange-traded funds
The blue chip client base of Dechert LLP‘s investment funds department appreciate its ‘great depth in its mutual fund practice‘. The firm is a strong choice for the gamut of issues in the space, covering formation and fund raising, day-to-day operations, regulatory compliance, and all potential disputes. The sizeable practice includes many practitioners with experience as in-house counsel and regulators, and clients include funds, advisers, boards of directors and audit committees, independent directors, broker-dealers, insurance companies, and banks. Recent work has included a number of conversions from mutual funds to exchange-traded funds, following the national trend, and the regulatory side of the practice has been busy with new SEC regulations. Christopher Harvey oversees the practice from the firm’s Boston office and is a leading figure in the market. Alongside him, Christopher Christian is a key contact for US and European asset managers and investment funds, and John O’Hanlon is a regulatory expert. In New York, Allison Fumai stands out for her ETF expertise, while Washington DC is another key location, where Megan Johnson and Douglas Dick are based. San Francisco-based Mark Perlow is recommended by clients as ‘one of the most respected mutual fund/investment adviser attorneys‘.Practice head(s):
Christopher Harvey
Other key lawyers:
Christopher Christian; Allison Fumai; Mark Perlow; John O’Hanlon; Douglas Dick; Stephen Bier; Thomas Bogle; Megan Johnson; Adam Teufel; Stephanie Capistron
Testimonials
‘Dechert has great depth in its mutual fund practice, and the ability to address emerging best practices and evolving standards. In addition, it has broad capabilities and is able to support a variety of issues that arise tangentially to the core mutual funds practice and is our first “go to” for many of these other issues.’
‘Mark Perlow has a deep background in the mutual fund and investment adviser space, and his former SEC experience provides context for not only the details of regulations but also the policy and practical implications of a variety of matters. He is one of the most respected mutual fund/investment adviser attorneys providing confidence that we will address new requirements correctly.’
Key clients
MainStay Funds
Morgan Stanley Funds
abrdn plc
Work highlights
- Advised MainStay Funds on all its US mutual funds and closed-end funds, as well as the funds’ board and its independent trustees.
- Advised Morgan Stanley Funds on its US mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, BDC and CLOs.
- Advised Abrdn on its US registered closed-end funds, mutual funds, and ETFs.
Latin America: International firms > International arbitration
Dechert LLP’s highly reputed multi-office international arbitration has a distinct emphasis on Latin America, with more than half of its cases involving a Latin American entity. Although globally recognised for its expertise in investment arbitration, the firm is also highly active in commercial arbitrations in the region, and is also noted for its experience in the enforcement of arbitration awards. It defends a large number of Latin American states in investment and commercial arbitrations, along with representing state entities as claimants. It also acts for an array of investors in cases against Latin American sovereigns. Energy, mining, construction, transport, telecoms and food are key sectors for the team. Many within the group are natives of Latin American states or are fluent Spanish or Portuguese speakers. The Latin America focused team is primarily located in Paris, where dual-qualified (Colombia/Paris) Eduardo Silva Romero is co-chair of the global international arbitration practice; he has ‘indisputable experience in commercial and investment arbitration’ and focuses primarily on arbitration involving states and state-owned entities. José Manuel García Represa is another experienced figure in the team, typically handling a large case load; both he and Silva are particularly noted for their expertise in damage quantification. Senior associate Catalina Echeverri Gallego (‘a great professional’, ‘100% analytical and methodical’) is another Latin America specialist, while associates Javier Echeverri Díaz and Santiago Soto Garcia are also highlighted by clients. All named individuals are based in Paris. Antonio Gordillo left the firm in July 2023.Practice head(s):
Eduardo Silva Romero; Arif Ali
Testimonials
‘Dechert (Paris) LLP’s practice is characterised as highly sophisticated and legally robust. They have extensive experience in international litigation, in different locations and centers, with a strong focus on the client’s business.’
‘The lawyers are highly prepared and close. The partners participate directly in the strategy and in the day-to-day of the case. They are also concerned about the client, the business and any problem that might arise in the host country of the investment. I would mainly highlight Eduardo Silva Romero, José Manuel García-Represa and Catalina Echeverri Gallego.’
‘Dechert LLP can be characterised as having a disciplined team which maintain close communication with its clients, take the time to explain the incidents and strategies that they have contemplated for the cases and do not hesitate to take into consideration any contribution that the client wishes to contemplate. Their practice is remarkably innovative compared to other law firms, with respect to billing they are always involved and attentive to resolve any incident that may arise. Despite the fact that there is a wide difference in time zone, they are always willing to attend to any concern, by far one of the best firms we have worked with.’
‘Each of the people that make up the Dechert LLP team has made us feel safe by denoting that they control and manage the issues. Each one of them takes their time to analyse and understand the case carefully, they know that they must work step by step to have a solid strategy. Eduardo Silva Romero is a great professional and academic, who is always willing to explain any questions we may have. Denotes great leadership before his team and extensive knowledge in international arbitration issues. Catalina Echeverri is an exceptional person and great professional, always ready to attend to our concerns no matter what time it is; 100% analytical and methodical. They have extensive knowledge in investment arbitration and always guide the client to the best strategy. Santiago Soto Garcia is an excellent professional, demonstrates great experience when it comes time to analyse the expert reports in each of the investment arbitrations.’
‘It is a team of committed professionals who are fluent in Spanish and other languages. They are aware of the difficulties involved in state defence, and the various controls of public resources, and they are always willing to collaborate with the needs of the institution. In terms of knowledge, they are top-level professionals with the highest professional training, management of digital resources, with whom contact can be maintained despite the time difference between France and Ecuador. Their billing is clear and trustworthy.’
‘Dechert’s lawyers demonstrate a strong commitment to the work they do, they are always diligent and attentive to the requests made. They are aware of the need for transparency in the management of public funds and collaborate diligently with the institution in case of requirements from the Ecuadorian control body. Professionally, they have extensive knowledge in litigation and their experience in various matters is outstanding, for example in hydrocarbons, environment, infrastructure, investments, telecommunications and the calculation of damages. We highlight their commitment to work with the PGE and their intellectual generosity in sharing their knowledge with the institution’s lawyers.’
‘What makes this firm unique is that they have a diversified team. Composed of lawyers from Latin America and Europe, of different nationalities who have worked in public and private sectors. That is, they know and move perfectly in these “two worlds”. In the cases that I had to work with this firm, I see that they assign a large number of lawyers for each case, in which one creates a direct and personal bond with each one of them.’
‘Eduardo Silva Romero, José Manuel García Represa and Javier Echeverri Díaz are excellent lawyers and excellent people. Eduardo’s experience in commercial and investment arbitration is indisputable. He is also an arbitrator and has written many publications. As a lawyer, despite having a busy schedule, he always responded to my queries and calls regardless of what time it was. He has extensive experience in construction arbitrations and representing States. He and José Manuel create an exceptional duo due to their expertise is in damage quantification. José Manuel has a lot of experience in economics and calculations. Javier has considerable experience in construction arbitration and representation of states.’
Key clients
Interconexión Eléctrica (Grupo ISA)
Autopista del Norte
Carlos Mario Rios Velilla & Francisco Javier Rios Velilla
Katoen Natie Group
The Republic of Colombia
The Republic of Ecuador
The Argentine Republic
The Republic of Guatemala
Plurinational State of Bolivia
The Dominican Republic
Work highlights
- Represented one the largest power transmission companies in the world against Chile in an ICISD arbitration arising from the construction and operation of a power line.
- Represented a Brazilian investment holding company in a billion-dollar ICC corporate dispute.
- Successfully represented the first and largest solar photovoltaic power-generating company in Guatemala in an ICC arbitration initiated against a power distribution company and concerning two long-term power purchase agreements for solar plants.
United States > Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense
Dechert LLP offers global and nationwide antitrust capabilities to its growing client base which features names such as Endo Pharmaceuticals and Marriott International. The firm is well-versed with a range of litigation including conspiracies related to advertising, bid rigging and price fixing as well as antitrust patent litigation and rule of reason standards. Based in Philadelphia is co-head Steven Bizar, who focuses his practice on trial work, particularly antitrust and trade regulation and is well-regarded for his success in defending against section 1 and 2 Sherman Act cases and class action lawsuits. Also co-heading the team from Washington DC is Mike Cowie, a healthcare and life sciences law expert who focuses on government merger investigations and litigation. Also in Philadelphia are George G Gordon who has significant experience in representing companies in class actions and investigations concerning patent enforcement, pricing concerns and marketing, and Julia Chapman, who is well-versed in all stages of litigation particularly in the life sciences, specialty chemicals and tech fields. Experienced trial lawyer Shari Ross Lahlou, based in DC, acts for Fortune 500 clients including Johnson & Johnson. The group has expanded its team and strengthened its high-tech antitrust expertise with the hires from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in January 2023 including Jay Jurata in DC, former head of Orrick’s antitrust and competition group, Russell Cohen and Howard Ullman in the San Francisco office.Practice head(s):
Steven Bizar; Mike Cowie
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Aetna Inc.
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation; Anadarko E&P Onshore LLC
ACV Auctions, Inc.
Ascensus, LLC; Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, LLC; and Ascensus College Savings Recordkeeping Services, LLC
Citron Pharma, LLC
Clearon Corporation
CVS Health
Commercial Metals Company
Duke Energy
DTE Energy
Eli Lilly & Company
Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Humana Inc.
Interactive Brokers
Johnson & Johnson
Lannett Company, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc.
Occidental Petroleum Corporation/ Occidental Chemical Corporation
Par Pharmaceuticals
Vortex Commercial Flooring
Work highlights
- Represented Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Endo Health Solutions Inc. after a three-week jury trial in Chicago in In re Opana ER Antitrust Litigation which raised issues relating to the application of the antitrust rule of reason standards, amongst other matters.
- Represented Marriott International in TravelPass Group LLC et al v. Caesars Entertainment Corporation et al. against complaints alleging conspiracies related to keyword advertising bidding.
- Represented Norvatis in patent litigations, patent discovery suits, European Patent Office proceedings, and related competition law investigations in the acquisition and enforcement of a Genentech patent portfolio globally against Lilly.
United States > Finance > Fintech
Dechert LLP has made good headway into the market with a combination of expertise in cryptocurrencies and digital assets, and traditional finance products. The firm has developed a good niche in related investment fund work, with clients such as Franklin Templeton instructing the team to assist with the launch of its tokenized money market fund. Lead partners include Timothy Spangler in Los Angeles, who works at the crossover between fintech and alternative investment management. Respectively based in San Francisco and Washington DC, Mark Perlow and Susan Grafton are highly experienced in regulatory matters, while Karen Neuman (Washington DC) and Brenda Sharton (Boston) are lead contacts for data privacy and cybersecurity. The firm also recruited New York partner Jay Southgate from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, who has a strong focus on consumer lending and fintech.Practice head(s):
Mark Perlow; Timothy Spangler
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Altruist
Amun 21 Shares
ARK Invest
BerkShares
Collective Liquidity
EMLES
Equity Shift
Fasanara Capital, Ltd.
Forge Global
Franklin Templeton
iTrustCapital
J.P. Morgan
NYDIG / University of Pennsylvania
Pagaya
Reigo Investments
Stoa USA, Inc.
Work highlights
- Advised Franklin Templeton in connection with its registration with the SEC and membership in FINRA of a broker-dealer and alternative trading system (ATS) to engage in transactions in digital securities.
- Advising the fintech company Pagaya on its listing on Nasdaq in June 2022.
- Advised CollectiveLiquidity, the first wealth management tech platform for unicorn shareholders, on the launch of its innovative liquidity and risk management platform based on the established operational elements and tax efficiencies of exchange funds.
United States > Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation
With the recent addition of former SEC counsel in investment fund management David Bartels, Dechert LLP has strengthened its deep regulatory bench. Catherine Botticelli and Jonathan Streeter, based in Washington DC and New York respectively, lead the practice, and both focus on securities enforcement and internal investigations, with an emphasis on insider trading and securities fraud.
Dechert LLP > Firm Profile
Dechert is a global law firm that advises asset managers, financial institutions and corporations on issues critical to managing their business and their capital – from high-stakes litigation to complex transactions and regulatory matters. We answer questions that seem unsolvable, develop deal structures that are new to the market and protect clients’ rights in extreme situations. Our 1,000+ lawyers across 21 offices globally focus on the financial services, private equity, private credit, real estate, life sciences and technology sectors.
Dechert’s lawyers work together to understand their clients’ most complex legal and business problems and efficiently deliver practical and innovative solutions all over the world.
Our clients face increasingly challenging times, from geopolitical uncertainty and the increasing scope of compliance requirements, to a proliferation of commercial and regulatory risks. We partner with businesses to navigate these situations, supporting clients in achieving their commercial goals. Our method is agile and intuitive.
We have some of the world’s leading lawyers advising on both domestic and cross-border matters. The firm is frequently retained to work on the most challenging transactions and disputes, and prides itself on its ability to deliver premium legal services and sound business judgment to its clients. We create strategies that protect both commercial and private interests with discretion and sensitivity.
Dechert lawyers bring to all of their assignments a focus on quality, responsiveness and value for money. We are driven by one key principle: exceptional client service.
Technology and innovation are central to the future development of our business, both in terms of client-facing products and internal resources that enable more cost-effective operations, such as innovations in project management, eDiscovery and client-specific extranets.
Dechert has a longstanding tradition of providing pro bono legal services to individuals and organizations who cannot otherwise afford legal counsel. Lawyers in all our offices and in all our practice groups make a difference every day by contributing their talents to providing pro bono legal services. We approach pro bono efforts with the same energy, enthusiasm and resources as work for commercial clients, and associates receive billable hour credit for their pro bono work. We require all lawyers to perform at least 25 hours of pro bono work per year to ensure universal participation in our pro bono program.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Financial services and Investment management | Christopher Harvey | ||
Corporate and securities | Mark Thierfelder | ||
Litigation | Catherine Botticelli | ||
Litigation | Jonathan Streeter | ||
Intellectual property | Martin Black | ||
Intellectual property | Jeffrey Plies | ||
Financial restructuring | Allan Brilliant | ||
Global finance | Laura Swihart | ||
Global finance | Jay Alicandri | ||
White collar defense and investigations | David Kelley | ||
Securities litigation | David Kistenbroker | ||
Securities litigation | Joni Jacobsen | ||
Antitrust | Steven Bizar | ||
Antitrust | Mike Cowie | ||
Employee benefits/executive compensation | Steven Rabitz | ||
Employee benefits/executive compensation | Howard M. Klein | ||
Tax | Joshua Milgrim | ||
International arbitration | Arif Ali | ||
Product Liability and Mass Torts | Sheila Birnbaum | ||
Product Liability and Mass Torts | Kimberly Branscome |
Lawyer Profiles
Dechert LLP > Firm Profile
Dechert is a leading global law firm with 22 offices around the world. We advise on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.
History of the firm: Founded in Philadelphia in 1875, Dechert has advised on matters involving Latin America for more than three decades. Its international network of trusted local counsel is bolstered by the firm’s foreign lawyer program, where lawyers from Latin American relationship firms are seconded to Dechert and vice versa.
Main areas of practice
Corporate and securities: Dechert’s corporate lawyers have advised companies seeking to expand their traction both within and outside Latin America for more than three decades. The firm represents buyers, sellers and advisers in connection with mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures. Dechert also handles a full range of corporate finance transactions, including initial public offerings and follow-on equity offerings, Rule 144A and Regulation S offerings, rights offerings, tender and exchange offers, and sovereign debt offerings.
Financial restructuring: Dechert represents distressed companies, buyers of distressed assets, investors in debt, equity holders and creditors in every phase of the insolvency and corporate recovery lifecycle in Latin America. The firm focuses on achieving clients’ financial and business goals in the most expedient manner possible, including advocating on their behalf.
Financial services and asset management: Dechert offers a broad range of transactional and regulatory services to Latin American banks, broker-dealers, investment managers, insurance companies and other financial institutions. It works closely with local counsel to facilitate public and private offerings of foreign collective investment schemes across the region. The firm has assisted clients in listing exchange-traded funds on Latin American stock exchanges and facilitated the approval of shares/units of investment funds for sale to pension funds administrators in Chile and Peru.
Global investigations: Dechert has considerable experience investigating and advising on anti-corruption compliance issues in Latin America, as well as matters involving tax and accounting fraud, money laundering and insider trading. The firm brings particular expertise to bear on matters involving FCPA and UK Bribery Act compliance, and also advises on civil and cartel investigations.
International arbitration and litigation: Dechert lawyers have acted as counsel or arbitrator in landmark arbitration proceedings involving Latin American parties, acting for and against state parties, majority and minority shareholders in joint ventures, and independent contractors. The firm also advises clients regarding their rights and remedies under investment treaties and other international instruments.
Governments, global corporations, corporate and sovereign debt holders, hedge funds and other financial institutions rely on the firm’s international litigators to resolve their most intractable cross-border commercial disputes, whether before courts, administrative tribunals or regulatory bodies. Its recent experience includes handling cross-border insolvency, sovereign debt and other commercial disputes involving such countries as Argentina, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Nicaragua.
International trade: Dechert handles a wide range of international trade matters, including export controls, economic sanctions, trade embargoes, customs procedures, trade defense measures and national security reviews of foreign direct investment. The firm’s practitioners include former national and multinational officials, comprising regulators, compliance officers, enforcement agents, trade negotiators and public affairs experts.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Chairman | Andrew Levander | ||
CEO | Henry Nassau | ||
Corporate and securities | Mark Thierfelder | mark.thierfelder@dechert.com | |
Financial restructuring | Allan Brilliant | allan.brilliant@dechert.com | |
Financial services and asset management | Douglas Dick | douglas.dick@dechert.com | |
Global investigations | Hector Gonzalez | hector.gonzalez@dechert.com | |
International arbitration | Eduardo Silva Romero | eduardo.silvaromero@dechert.com | |
International arbitration | Arif Ali | arif.ali@dechert.com | |
International trade | Amanda DeBusk | amanda.debusk@dechert.com | |
International trade | Jeremy Zucker | jeremy.zucker@dechert.com |
Client Testimonials
COMPANY/FIRM: Citigroup
TESTIMONIAL: “Dechert consistently provides differentiating legal advice, particularly on large, complex transactions.”
COMPANY/FIRM: Sun Capital
TESTIMONIAL: “The firm did a great job throughout the entire process. They have been proactive and delivered quality advice. As always, a pleasure working with such a great team.”
COMPANY/FIRM: Credit Suisse
TESTIMONIAL: “We continually have the highest degree of confidence in the work product and coverage of the Dechert team, and they are always a pleasure to work with.”
COMPANY/FIRM: Saint-Gobain
TESTIMONIAL: “Saint-Gobain frequently turns to Dechert to defend the company in its most consequential, high-stakes litigation in the United States. Their sophistication, depth of experience, and legal creativity – especially in the area of complex mass tort litigation, is simply unrivalled. When the case is unprecedented and alleged to be perilous, there is no better partner to have in the trenches than Dechert.”
Diversity
Leading from the Front
“Actionable allyship moves beyond passive solidarity and requires speaking up or intervening during acts of marginalization, even at the risk of backlash or negative consequences. As catalysts for change, Dechert remains committed to doing our part in fighting systemic racism, social injustice and inequity.”
Satra Sampson-Arokium, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
- Using his voice to take a powerful stand, our Chief Executive Officer, Henry Nassau, published a Leaders at the Front Pledge. His pledge is a bold action plan to create meaningful and measurable changes at Dechert and within the legal industry. Read his pledge here on the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s website.
- In 2021, Dechert became one of the first firms to pilot the Mansfield Rule in the UK. The Mansfield Rule, overseen by Diversity Lab, has become the standard by which U.S. law firms track and measure their diversity.
- Dechert was the first law firm to sign the Business Statement Opposing Anti-LGBTQ State Legislation, taking a stance against discrimination of LGBTQ people in proposed U.S. legislation.
By the Numbers
- 43% of the Policy Committee [senior leadership team] are women or diverse partners.
- 52% of the lawyers most recently promoted to partner [effective January 1, 2022] are women.
- 44% of our global offices are managed by women or diverse partners.
- 25% of partners globally are women.
- 74% of our most recent Fall 2021 class of new associates in the U.S. are women or diverse.
Key Initiatives
Aspiring Solicitors
Dechert is an Affiliate Partner of Aspiring Solicitors (AS). 2021 marks the fifth successful year of Dechert’s sponsorship of the organization’s national Commercial Awareness Competition, with the winners offered a vacation scheme and opportunity to interview for a training contract at Dechert.
Diversity and Inclusion Week
During the firm’s second annual DEI Week, Dechert hosted a conversation with Dr. Makaziwe Mandela, the eldest daughter of President Mandela, who shared insights on her family’s work to bring greater unity to the world. Our community also joined in to connect across differences and inspired each other to take a break by sharing their favorite vacation or staycation photo, making a difference with acts of kindness, and some other lighthearted and fun moments
Sponsorship and Sustained Support (SASS) Program
Through our Global Women’s Initiative, we continued to identify and implement initiatives that promote opportunities for women to advance and lead throughout the firm. We continued to organize our SASS women into several cohorts led by partner faculty. SASS cohorts are designed to provide support and actionable skills as women continue learning and networking together to navigate the path to partnership.
Inclusive Leadership
Commitment to diversity and inclusion stems from the top. Our partners have been participating in interactive sessions on inclusive leadership since 2018. In 2021, the training expanded to the entire Dechert community. We covered such issues as affinity bias, attribution bias, covering, in and out groups, actionable allyship, unconscious bias, and inclusive leadership in times of crisis. Individuals participate in interactive sessions that center around dramatizations that prompt conversations, challenge stereotypes, and inspire change.
Comparative Guides
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Germany: Alternative Investment Funds
Published: September 2023
Authors: Angelo Lercara
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Alternative Investment Funds laws and regulations applicable in Germany.
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United States: Alternative Investment Funds
Published: September 2023
Authors: Christopher D. ChristianJennifer O’Brien
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Alternative Investment Funds laws and regulations applicable in United States.
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Hong Kong: Alternative Investment Funds
Published: September 2023
Authors: Michael WongStanley TiuAmanda Liu
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Alternative Investment Funds laws and regulations applicable in Hong Kong.
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Ireland: Alternative Investment Funds
Published: September 2023
Authors: Ciara O’LearyDan MorrisseyThe authors would like to thank David Higgins and Jeff Mackey for their contributions to this chapter.
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Alternative Investment Funds laws and regulations applicable in Ireland.
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Luxembourg: Alternative Investment Funds
Published: September 2023
Authors: Patrick GoebelChristine Renner
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Alternative Investment Funds laws and regulations applicable in Luxembourg.
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United Kingdom: Alternative Investment Funds
Published: October 2023
Authors: Abigail BellDaniel HawthorneThiha Tun
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Alternative Investment Funds laws and regulations applicable in United Kingdom.
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Environmental, Social & Governance and the Duty of Oversight: A Trojan Horse Attack on the Business Judgment Rule
Published: April 2023
Authors: Richard Horvath Stephen Leitzell
- United States > Antitrust > Merger control
Firm Rankings
- United States > Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes
- United States > Dispute resolution > International litigation
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