Dechert LLP > San Francisco, United States > Firm Profile

Dechert LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Dechert LLP continues to prove itself as a go-to firm for clients needing advice on a wide range of white-collar crime matters such as securities fraud, money laundering, and insider trading, among other forms of misconduct. The team is co-led by Jeffrey Brown in New York and Hartley West from San Francisco. Brown is a seasoned lawyer who routinely handles internal and regulatory investigations, while West is skilled at advising corporations and executives accused of corruption and fraud. Located in Washington DC, Catherine Botticelli is noted for her capabilities acting for large companies and asset management firms who are facing investigations by the regulatory authorities. Further standout individuals in the team include Andrew Levander and Jonathan Streeter, both of whom are based in New York and are recommended for their extensive experience as trial lawyers. David Kelley left the New York team in January 2024.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: pharmaceuticals and medical devices Tier 1

Informed by a deep understanding of the science and a strong strategic sensibility, Dechert LLP is a popular choice among life sciences clients as defendants in large aggregated cases alleging injury caused by pharmaceutical products as well as medical devices. Regularly taking a leadership role which draws upon highly competent lawyers spread across the East and West coasts, the team has, in recent years, secured many victories using highly persuasive dispositive motions in state and federal courts throughout the US, which have either vastly reduced the pool of plaintiffs liable for potential damages or eliminated them entirely. Based out of New York, Mark S. Cheffo  has been key to many of these successes, including for GSK in the Zantac MDL as one of the main architects of the defendants’ Daubert motion, which effectively shut the door on approximately 50,000 claims, when the judge of the MDL recently ruled that the plaintiffs had failed to show any reliable scientific evidence establishing a causal link between the heartburn drug and various cancers. New York-based Sheila L. Birnbaum  also excels at arguing Daubert motions as part of her broad expertise throughout the litigation continuum in relation to pharmaceutical MDLs.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 1

Dechert LLP represents clients in securitization matters spanning a vast assortment of asset classes from the traditional to the esoteric. It is adept at advising clients in public and private securities as well as warehouse facilities. The firm is also knowledgeable in the growing market surrounding automobile loan-backed securities, regularly advising credit unions. The practice is led by Charlotte-based Stewart McQueen and Christopher Duerden as well as New York-based Andrew Pontano. McQueen is expert in assisting issuers, underwriters and buyers in CMBSs and CRE CLOs, whilst Duerden advises on CLOs broadly as well as leveraged loan warehouse facilities. Pontano is well-equipped to handle a wide array of mortgage finance transactions, including RMBS, CMBS, SFRs and CRE CLOs. Out of New York, Laura Swihart compounds the firm’s strength in commercial real estate securitization, advising issuers, underwrites, mortgage loan sellers and subordinate bond buyers. John Timpero, situated in Charlotte, is noted for his work in the CLO space and is versed in structures compliant with risk retention requirements across jurisdictions. Sarah Milam is experienced in a wide number of asset types, including unsecured consumer loans, automobile loans, SFRs, timeshares and solar loans.

Investment fund formation and management > Mutual/registered/exchange-traded funds Tier 1

Dechert LLP has a longstanding record in the mutual funds space, with funds, fund advisors and boards of directors, broker dealers, insurance companies and banks turning to the financial services team for comprehensive service. The team advises open- and closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds, interval funds and on insurance products, covering a plethora of issues, including but not limited to regulatory and compliance matters, related litigation, regulatory investigation and the formation and management of these funds. Experienced partner Christopher Harvey leads the team out of the Boston office, and is supported by John O’Hanlon, who covers corporate, regulatory, compliance and enforcement matters for funds clients, and Stephanie Capistron, who among other capabilities advises mutual fund sponsors on launching ETFs in the same location. In New York Allison Fumai has extensive experience with exchange traded funds, but frequently works with mutual funds and closed-end funds as well, while in San Francisco Mark Perlow advises fund sponsors and investors on the related ESG regulation. Douglas Dick and Megan Johnson are based in Washington DC, with the latter advising mutual funds and EFTs on staying compliant with the Investment Company Act of 1940. The team underwent some changes in 2023 with Michael McGrath joining the firm from K&L Gates in March and Kaitlin McGrath being promoted to partner in January, both located in Boston and part of the financial Services and investment management team.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 1

Dechert LLP boasts a leading commercial real estate finance practice which is regularly mandated by clients to aid with origination of commercial real estate loans, including mortgage and mezzanine loans, as well as with real estate acquisitions and dispositions. The firm specializes in representing lenders in complex real estate finance transactions and advises clients on seeking leverage through repurchase agreements. Advising issuers, underwriters, and asset sellers in CMBS and standalone securitization of large loans is also a key pillar of the practice. Practice heads Laura Swihart and John Timperio lead the team from New York and Charlotte, respectively. Swihart is the go-to for clients requiring assisting with commercial mortgage-backed securitization transactions. She has also represented a number of joint ventures and entities with creating commercial mortgage loan origination platforms. The firm has a large team of lawyers to assist its large client base all over America, key names include David Forti who takes the lead in Philadelphia, Stewart McQueen who is key to the commercial mortgage-backed securities practice in North Carolina, and in Philadelphia Jason Rozes is an expert in advising lenders on commerical real estate finance. Richard Jones is an expert in capital markets and mortgage finance, while Devin Swaney focuses on structure finance and real estate matters and are both based in New York. Matthew Ginsburg, Kenneth Hackman and Nitya Kumar Goyal in Pennsylvania, and Laura Ciabarra and Matthew Fischer over in New York, are all noted for their specialism in real estate finance. In Philadelphia, Victoria Boland is noted for her experience representing investment banks, life insurance companies, and commercial banks.  

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort Tier 2

Leveraging the expertise of ‘thorough, responsive and hardworking’ product liability and mass torts experts, including many with significant trial experience with regard to cutting-edge and unsettled areas of law, Dechert LLP is ‘effectively able to get the job done’ for chemicals, manufacturing and life sciences clients facing down a range of toxic tort and environmental litigation matters. Douglas Fleming has experience throughout the litigation continuum and is a key member of leadership teams for the firm across many of its highest-profile toxic tort mandates, including several in the PFAS space. Team head Sheila L. Birnbaum  has vast experience handling mass torts, including many with a toxic tort and environmental angle; she was part of the team along with Fleming and Mark S. Cheffo  that recently secured a vital victory before a State Supreme Court when it ruled that the defendant in a large water contamination PFAS case would not be held liable for medical monitoring costs of plaintiffs if they are not currently sick. All named practitioners are based in New York. Kimberly Branscome left the firm in February 2024.  

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 2

Dechert LLP's trial, investigations and securities practice has a large group of experienced partners across the US, whose work encompasses securities class actions, shareholder derivative suits, mutual fund litigation, broker-dealer disputes, internal investigations and regulatory proceedings. Joni Jacobsen leads the practice and works out of both the Chicago and New York offices, as does key partner David Kistenbroker. Their work together includes acting for Exelon Corporation to negotiate a $40m settlement in a case alleging bribery, breach of fiduciary duty, and other misconduct. They also secured the dismissal of a class action against Antares Pharma. Michael Doluisio in Philadelphia is highly recommended as an adviser to the mutual fund sector. Angela Liu in Chicago frequently works alongside Jacobsen and Kistebroker, while New York-based Andrew Levander is a key contact for regulatory investigations. Corporate governance litigation partner Richard Horvath and securities and antitrust partner Josh Hess are the key names in San Francisco. Linda Goldstein left to become senior counsel for US litigation at the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 2

The ‘extraordinary‘ privacy and cybersecurity team at Dechert LLP regularly handles high-profile, complex class actions in the sector, along with defending clients in regulatory investigations. A particular standout feature is the team’s experience in the healthcare sector, representative of its focus on data-rich sectors also including technology, and its ability to advise on the specific regulations applying to companies in these sectors. Team head Brenda Sharton, based in Boston, ‘is a phenomenal leader for the practice‘: leading large scale data breach responses, defending consumer class action litigation, and noted for her specific AI and machine learning expertise. Also in Boston, Timothy Blank advises on the privacy and data security implications of corporate deals. Los Angeles-based Kevin Cahill is a go-to for clients in the financial services industry; Benjamin Sadun, also in Los Angeles, handles matters relating to the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Associate Hilary Bonaccorsi is skilled in the development of global privacy compliance programs for data-driven businesses, working out of Charlotte.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 3

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 3

Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 3

Dechert LLP’s practice handles a variety of contentious and non-contentious matters for healthcare and tech companies, including antitrust and commercial disputes, product liability disputes, and corporate investigations. Ben Barnett leads the practice from Philadelphia, assisting clients with high-stakes multi-district litigation, covering both civil and criminal aspects. Matthew B. Tate, who also works out of the Philadelphia office, has long-standing experience of handling data privacy and management issues.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 3

Dechert LLP routinely undertakes complex, cross-border commercial disputes before courts, administrative tribunals and regulatory bodies. Washington DC-based financial services litigation expert Catherine Botticelli jointly head up the practice group with Jonathan Streeter in New York, an expert on white-collar and securities litigation as well as government investigations and enforcement actions. Also based in New York, Christina Sarchio has significant experience with disputes arising out of the energy, pharma, and TMT sectors, while Gary Mennitt is a key name for bankruptcy litigation.

Dispute resolution > International litigation Tier 3

Litigators within Dechert LLP’s international practice regularly act for multinational corporates, sovereign states, debtholders, and leading financial institutions on a range of matters, with expertise in antitrust, intellectual property, professional and product liability, and securities fraud. Investigations and large-scale employment disputes are also areas of knowledge of the team. New York-based Andrew Levander has ‘enormous prestige‘, and for one client, an ‘absolute star‘. Also based in New York, Mauricio A. España is ‘brilliant in litigation issues‘ and is adept at handling matters in the white-collar crime and securities spaces. In Washington DC, Christina Sarchio has expertise in consumer products, financial, oil and gas, and pharmaceutical industry-related disputes.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 3

Dechert LLP has a practice that operates across the country, enabling it to be active in many key fora including the Delaware Court of Chancery. The practice is led from Chicago by Joni Jacobsen and frequently acts for acquirers, sellers, bidders, corporate officers and directors, special board committees, investment banks and advisers, venture capitalists, individual investors, private equity firms, hedge funds, sovereign funds and many other stakeholders in litigation concerning corporate takeovers, material adverse change, valuation and more. In San Francisco, Joshua Hess (who is ‘a great litigator, extremely smart, trusted advisor‘) and Richard Horvath are the key contacts. David Kotler in New York, and  David Kistenbroker, who works from both New York and Chicago, are also highly regarded. Kistenbroker and Jacobsen handled a class action for PureCycle Technologies concerning allegations that the company made materially false and misleading statements or omissions regarding its business in the lead up to its reverse merger with ROCH SPAC.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco) Tier 3

With a deep bench of product liability lawyers based out of the firm’s East and West Coast offices, Dechert LLP has strength in depth to handle large-scale MDLs and class actions centered around a range of consumer product defects; pharmaceutical products and medical devices remain the firm’s primary strength. Los Angeles-based litigator Jay Bhimani has significant courtroom experience in the field, and is acting in the bellwether jury trials for 3M regarding the combat arms earplugs product liability MDL. New York-based practitioner Sheila L. Birnbaum is also very effective at handling life sciences and pharmaceuticals cases in particular, and co-heads the overarching product liability team alongside Bhimani. Kimberly Branscome departed to Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in February 2024.

Finance > Fintech Tier 3

Well-equipped to handle digital transactions, the ‘professional and knowledgeable’ team at Dechert LLP is experienced in advising registered investment advisers and broker-dealers on cybersecurity matters. In San Francisco, former SEC senior counsel Mark Perlow is geared to assist hedge fund managers and broker-dealers on a range of regulatory and transactional mandates. Working out of Silicon Valley, Timothy Spangler is often engaged in the formation and structuring of private investment vehicles, while Ralph Mazzeo is proficient in capital markets and mortgage finance transactions. Commended as a ‘problem solver’, Andrew Pontano is knowledgeable of public and private securities offerings, while other key members of the team include Sarah Milam who handles fintech investment transactions for issuers and investors. All of the individuals that have been mentioned are located in New York, unless stated otherwise.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 3

Dechert LLP‘s New York-based financial restructuring practice handles domestic and cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters, alongside having attorneys with expertise who are able to represent a diverse range of parties, including ad hoc and official committees of creditors to investors of distressed assets and debt. The team integrates its global team to be able to handle bankruptcy proceedings across the globe. Allan Brilliant represents banking groups, unsecured creditors’ and bondholder committees. Stephen Zide is a key contact for advice Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. Stephen Wolpert and Eric Hilmo are names to watch. Douglas Mannal left the firm in March 2024.

Healthcare > Life sciences Tier 3

Dechert LLP is well-placed to advise clients engaged in major cross-border transactions, including assisting with patent strategies tied to deals. On the contentious front, the firm’s litigators represent clients in patent disputes tied to a variety of drugs, and are also well versed in handling MDLs and class actions arising out of product liability claims. Boston-based patent specialist Andrea Reid advises biotech and pharmaceutical clients on the management of their IP portfolios, offering a deep understanding of the drug discovery and development processes and leading the practice alongside New York’s David Rosenthal, who advises life sciences-focused investors on IPOs, secondary offerings and licensing matters. Also based in New York, litigator Katherine Helm handles a broad spectrum of patent-related disputes, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in infringement suits and tackling commercial issues including breach of contract and antitrust litigations.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 3

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4

Dechert LLP’s global international arbitration practice leans on well-staffed platforms in many of the world’s principal arbitration hubs, including London, Paris and Hong Kong. Striking a balance between commercial and investor-state work, the team represents a range of investors, corporations, sovereign nations and state-owned entities, with an emphasis on the financial services, energy, mining, construction and TMT industries. From bases in Washington DC and London, Arif H. Ali co-chairs the international arbitration and public international law group and is lauded as a ‘heavyweight figure in the world of arbitration’. The Washington DC team also includes experienced arbitration partner Alexandre de Gramont and newly promoted counsel David Attanasio.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

Dechert LLP is at the forefront of debt offerings by life sciences companies and permanent capital vehicles, including business development companies (BDCs). It also operates in multiple other sectors. In BDCs, the firm’s commitment to corporate and securities, securitisation and the Investment Company Act of 1940 expertise, has enabled it to standout in this area. The capital markets team primarily operates in middle market deals, though often ventures into the $1bn+ arena. Washington DC partner Harry Pangas heads the US capital markets group, which includes Boston-based co-head of the permanent capital practice, Thomas Friedmann. New York’s David Rosenthal is another key figure for life sciences sector offerings.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Dechert LLP‘s capital markets practice is driven in large part by the life sciences and permanent capital vehicle clients, including business development companies (BDCs). The firm has worked on a series of notable equity deals including at-the-market offerings. Washington DC-based Harry Pangas heads the US capital markets group and is noted for his work in the BDC sector, as is Boston’s Thomas Friedmann, who co-heads the permanent capital practice. New York’s David Rosenthal co-leads the life sciences team and has extensive experience in capital markets transactions.

Finance > Capital markets: global offerings

Dechert LLP has a fine record in cross-border debt and equity offerings, along with international de-SPAC transactions. It is noted for deals involving permanent capital vehicles (including business development companies) and life sciences companies. Boston's Thomas Friedmann co-heads the capital markets group alongside life sciences specialist David Rosenthal in New York. Stephen Leitzell is another key figure in Philadelphia with particular experience in healthcare and technology.

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings Tier 4

Dechert LLP‘s high-yield debt practice is primarily driven by life sciences clients and permanent capital vehicles, including business development companies (BDCs). New York partner Jay Alicandri is co-chair of the corporate and securities practice and is a leader in permanent capital and private credit-related offerings. New York’s David Rosenthal is co-head of the capital markets group and co-leads the life sciences team. Philadelphia-based Ian Hartman, Eric Siegel and Stephen Leitzell are also key figures.

Finance > Commercial lending

The global finance practice at Dechert LLP is commended for its ‘especially deep knowledge of fund finance and asset management firm financing’. The team advise on both the lender and borrower side, advising lenders, borrowers, issuers, equity investors, sponsors, financial advisors and agents. Areas of strength include alternative financing, acquisition finance and direct lending. At practice head level, the team is jointly led by Jay Alicandri, Scott Zimmerman and Laura Swihart from the New York office, alongside John Timpero from the Charlotte office. Angelina Liang also features as a strong member of the team.

Intellectual property > Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings) Tier 4

Dechert LLP‘s Boston-based patent prosecution team is well-known for its capabilities in all patent prosecution matters as well as in portfolio management for its clients. The team’s workload includes advising on IP due diligence and negotiations, and on the sale and acquisition of patent portfolios. The cases are often of considerable value and vary between domestic and international in scope. The life sciences industry is the team’s key focus area and it also has an increasing focus on biologics. The team heads Andrea Reid and Andrew Wilkins are described as being ‘very experienced, engaged and responsive lead partners’, with key attorney to note in the team being Chad Davis.

International trade and national security > Customs, export controls and economic sanctions Tier 4

With the ability to partner up with teams across Europe and Asia, Dechert LLP’s export controls and sanctions group represents multinational clients in complex investigations and advocacy before enforcement agencies in the US and globally. The full-spectrum practice also advises on non-contentious matters, including regulatory approvals, conducting internal audits and structuring compliance programs. National security chair Jeremy B. Zucker possesses experience across a wide range of trade regulation spheres, with a focus on economic sanctions, export controls and anti-bribery issues. Darshak Dholakia is also recommended for his focus on economic sanctions and export controls as they relate to the financial services industry.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 4

Dechert LLP is engaged primarily by private equity firms and investment advisers in the financial services space, where the team regularly receives fund formation, structuring, capital raising and regulatory mandates. The team works sponsor side on various fund types, with recent examples including buyout, private equity, private credit and venture capital. Practice head Omoz Osayimwese is active in the firms New York office and works primarily with private equity and credit funds clients on fund formations and their ongoing management. Further key members of the practice are Tricia Lee in Austin, who works with high value private equity, real estate and credit funds, Lindsay Trapp in Charlotte bolsters the teams offering on cross-border fund formation matters, particularly Irish funds, and Carl de Brito in New York, who has a well-established practice working with notable global private equity funds, asset management firms and financial institutions.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: large deals ($500m+) Tier 4

In addition to maintaining close relationships with a roster of established middle-market private equity funds, Dechert LLP represents a growing number of blue-chip clients such as GIC and KKR in connection with bulge-bracket acquisitions, portfolio mergers, and joint investments, particularly in the tech and financial services sectors. The team offers its clients global cross-practice capabilities, working closely across the US and with partners in Europe and Asia to handle the tax, antitrust, and trade aspects of cross-border deals. Mark Thierfelder heads up the team from New York and acts as a key contact for cross-border platform deals and add-on acquisitions. Also in New York, Markus Bolsinger acts as a key contact for leveraged buyouts and take-private deals, while Jonathan Kim frequently works with Thierfelder to advise GIC on its high-value multinational buyouts. Derek Winokur left the team in July 2023, while New York-based Nick Marchica arrived from A&O Shearman in January 2023.

Tax > International tax Tier 4

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 5

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 5

With broad technical expertise and cross-border capabilities, Dechert LLP represents clients in the life sciences industries before a variety of patent litigation venues. The group has a particularly strong appellate practice and also fields significant experience acting on behalf of petitioners and patent owners in Patent Trial and Appeal Board proceedings relating to pharmaceutical and biologic products. Trial lawyer Martin Black in Philadelphia leads the firm’s national IP litigation group, which also includes New York life sciences litigator Katherine Helm, who represents innovator pharmaceutical and biotech companies in both patent and patent-related litigation, and Amanda Antons in Chicago, who is highly experienced in ANDA litigation.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 5

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 5

Acting for both strategic sellers and buyers, private equity firms, and portfolio companies, Dechert LLP has extensive cross-sector expertise, primarily focusing on the healthcare, TMT, and consumer markets. The team is well equipped to handle multi-jurisdictional M&A, drawing its network of offices across North America, Europe, and Asia, with New York-based co-heads Mark Thierfelder and Jay Alicandri specialising in private equity and cross-border transactions. The other co-lead Kenneth E. Young splits his time between New York and Philadelphia, while Christian Matarese is noted for her representation of private and public companies.

Environment > Environment: transactional

Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal)

Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation

Investment fund formation and management > Alternative/hedge funds