Dechert LLP > New York, United States > Firm Profile

Dechert LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

The globally integrated trial, investigations and securities team at Dechert LLP has considerable experience in cross-border investigations and often leans on support from its international network when assisting multinational clients. Its deep bench includes former regulators and prosecutors, and the team is led by New York’s David N Kelley and Chicago’s David Kistenbroker. Kelly is recommended for white-collar crime, commercial litigation and federal securities matters, while Andrew Levander, who is also based in New York, is recommended for securities enforcement and regulation, specializing in the asset management industry. The team was recently strengthened by the arrival of Hartley West and Richard Horvath in San Francisco, who joined from Kobre & Kim and Paul Hastings LLP, respectively. Brenda Sharton and Karen Neuman both joined from Goodwin in Boston and Washington DC, respectively. Other team changes include the arrival of Steven Engel in Washington DC from the DOJ and Michael Gilbert‘s departure from the firm in June 2021.

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

Dechert LLP‘s ‘long and broad tenure in the field offers insight‘ to funds, their advisers and other service providers, boards of directors and audit committees, independent directors, broker-dealers, insurance companies and banks; many of the industry’s leading names instruct the team. The offering has the advantage of being ‘deeply experienced and resourced on a global basis‘, and can leverage this to provide clients with innovative advice and in-depth market knowledge wherever they do business. Boston-based Christopher Harvey, who acts as the co-chair of the firm’s global financial services department, is lauded by clients for his ‘top notch technical knowledge and ability‘. The group’s significant national presence is cemented by the presence of recommended practitioners in the Washington DC, San Francisco and New York offices; the first of these locations fields Megan Johnson, who is known for advising mutual funds and ETFs on the full range of issues under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and Douglas Dick, who exemplifies the practice’s commitment to regulatory, transactional and litigious work in the registered funds space.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 1

Dechert LLP routinely represents major lenders in the market on their CMBS issuances, mortgage and mezzanine loans, and the acquisition and disposition of interests in such loans including through syndication, purchase and sale of participations and B-pieces. The practice also has a solid offering in distressed debt and restructuring. Co-chair David Forti, based in Philadelphia, is a leading figure, having held positions in the CRE Finance Council; he represents lenders, issuers and funds in mezzanine financing, loan sales and purchases, work-outs and foreclosures. Fellow co-chair Richard Jones is based in New York and specializes in capital markets and mortgage finance. In the same office, Laura Swihart acts for issuers, underwriters, mortgage loan sellers and subordinate bond buyers in connection with commercial mortgage backed securitization transactions. Other key attorneys include Stewart McQueen, managing partner in Charlotte, Ken Hackman, Matthew B Ginsburg, and Nitya Kumar Goyal in Philadelphia, who is experienced in loan participations, co-lender arrangements and credit tenant lease financing. Craig Brown joined the practice from Duval & Stachenfeld LLP in early 2021.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 2

Dechert LLP fields a team of specialised litigators who are regularly engaged to handle disputes arising out of commercial agreements, consumer fraud, insurance and banking, false advertising, corporate governance and mergers and acquisitions-related claims. The Washington DC-based Christina Sarchio is well versed in the consumer products, financial, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, sports and transportation industries. Sarchio leads the practice jointly with Kimberly Branscome in Los Angeles. Andrew Wong, also in LA, is active in putative class actions and contract disputes, while New York’s Linda Goldstein focuses on claims brought by institutional investors and customer arbitrations. Andrew Levander (New York) focuses on white-collar and securities litigation.

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

With a strong East Coast presence and also continuing to strengthen its offering from California, the ‘engaging and responsive‘ team at Dechert LLP has the resources to handle a tremendous range and volume of major product liability disputes facing pharmaceutical/devices clients, irrespective of location. Much of the work the practice handles, however, is in the context of national counsel in large aggregated matters, where it adds real value, not only by dint of its strategic aptitude but also being ‘totally abreast of the underlying subject matter’. As well as their aptitude at trying cases, the attorneys are also very adept at securing excellent results for clients utilizing dispositive motions – including in the context of Daubert challenges. New York-based co-heads Mark S. Cheffo  and Sheila L. Birnbaum have amassed a huge amount of experience and success in the area, often in the role as national co-ordinating counsel and trial counsel. Managing partner of the Los Angeles office Kimberly Branscome also handles life sciences-related matters as part of her broad-based product liability skillset. ‘Calm and knowledgeable’ New York-based Rachel Passaretti-Wu is also recommended and ‘gets great results’ for clients.

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

Dechert LLP has strong market presence in the product liability and mass torts space from its East coast stronghold, as well as more recently from a burgeoning California-based offering – a corollary of which includes a significant amount of toxic tort work for consumer goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing companies. The well-known practice c0-head, Sheila L. Birnbaum is well-versed in the relevant science, the substantive law and litigation strategies relating to a range of product liability/mass tort matters and has, throughout her career, achieved many notable victories at both a trial and appellate level. ‘Calm and knowledgeable‘ in her approach, Rachel Passaretti-Wu ‘gets results‘ for clients in toxic tort and product liability matters; she recently played key role for Saint-Gobain in toxic tort-related matters regarding its use of materials containing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office, Kimberly Branscome has been pivotal to the firm’s growth on the West Coast. Mark S. Cheffo co-heads the team alongside Birnbaum. All named practitioners are based in New York, unless otherwise noted.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 2

Dechert LLP‘s trials, investigations and securities litigation group calls on lawyers in offices from East Coast to West Coast, as well as outside the US, to represent companies both domestic and cross-border securities litigation class actions, shareholder derivative suits, mutual fund litigation, broker-dealer disputes, internal investigations and SEC and other regulatory proceedings. The firm continued to expand its presence in California in 2021, with the hire of securities and corporate governance litigation partner Richard Horvath in San Francisco from Paul Hastings LLP. David N Kelley in New York and David Kistenbroker, who works from both New York and Chicago, are the lead partners. Kistenbroker and Chicago-based Joni S. Jacobsen defended recycling company PureCycle Technologies, Inc. and certain officers in separate class action alleging that they made materially false and misleading statements regarding the company’s business leading up to a reverse merger listing on NASDAQ. New York-based partners Andrew Levander and Matthew L Larrabee in also play key roles in the securities and M&A-related disputes.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 2

Dechert LLP‘s asset finance securitization practice spans a variety of transaction types, including commercial real estate deals, CMBS, resi-securitizations, CLOs and ABS, with a strength in esoterics. Leading the team from New York is Laura Swihart, who is most noted for her abilities in the CMBS arena, as well as heading the firm’s relationship with Freddie Mac. In Philadelphia, David Forti also leads on real estate-related securitizations. New York’s Richard Jones heads the CMBS sub-group, also advising on LIBOR transition issues, while Ralph Mazzeo specialises in residential mortgage-backed products. In Charlotte, Christopher P. Duerden leads the global CLO group, supported by John M Timperio.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 3

Dechert LLP is praised by a client for having a ‘very strong antitrust team, with tremendous depth on the bench and a keen insight on how to deal with the most vexing issues’. The firm handles matters across the whole range of antitrust litigation, including price-fixing and supply-reduction conspiracies as well as monopolization claims and other unfair competition. Specialising in antitrust defense litigation, Philadelphia-based Steven Bizar leads the practice together with Mike Cowie in Washington DC, who is particularly experienced in representing clients from the health care and life sciences industries. Also specialized in life sciences is George G Gordon in Philadelphia, while Shari Ross Lahlou has secured significant wins in tying, exclusive dealing, and cartel matters from the firm’s DC hub. At the beginning of 2022, Philadelphia-based Julia Chapman was elected to partner; she focuses on antitrust and complex commercial litigation in industries such as life sciences, chemicals, and agriculture.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 3

Dechert LLP advises clients throughout complex merger review processes, including FTC and DOJ challenges and consent orders, as well as representing in merger litigation. Alongside its existing strength in healthcare, the firm also regularly advises clients in retail, energy, and private equity, as well as handling cross-border merger proceedings in collaboration with its global platform. Former FTC assistant director Mike Cowie specializes in government investigations and challenges in the health care and life sciences space, and now co-heads the team alongside Philadelphia-based Steven Bizar. James A Fishkin handles reviews and merger litigation, and is particularly strong in the retail sector, while up-and-coming Rani Habash advises clients throughout pre-merger risk assessments, negotiations with counterparties, and DOJ and FTC investigations, with notable clients including CVS Health and Aetna. Counsel Gregory Luib is also noted for his representation of clients in FTC and DOJ merger investigations. Lawyers are in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 3

Dechert LLP provides ‘outstanding legal guidance’ to corporate clients from various industries on the data and e-discovery issues involved in commercial disputes, corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense, antitrust and product liability litigation. Philadelphia-based Ben Barnett is the key name in the US and sits within the firm’s trials, investigations and securities team. As an international firm, the US group is also able to call on the expertise of its overseas offices and has collaborated with lawyers in the London, Paris and Munich offices to advise on cross-border issues. Counsel Matt Tate, also in Philadelphia, combines his e-discovery expertise with a data privacy practice.

Dispute resolution > International litigation Tier 3

Dechert LLP‘s trials, investigations and securities disputes team has broad experience acting for corporations, creditor groups, sovereign states investment funds and other financial institutions in cross-border disputes. Hector Gonzalez , who combines expertise in securities disputes, criminal and SEC and CFTC enforcement proceedings in New York and Washington DC-based general commercial litigator Christina Sarchio lead the team alongside Kimberly Branscome in Los Angeles, who has product liability, environmental and toxic tort and securities litigation expertise. In August 2021, the group strengthened its West Coast practice with the additions of Hartley West, who specializes in government enforcement defense and asset forfeitures, and corporate governance and securities litigator Richard Horvath from Kobre & Kim and Paul Hastings LLP respectively. Other additions include Steven Engel, who joined in Washington DC from the Department of Justice in May 2021, and Philadelphia-based Clare Putnam Pozos, former First Assistant US Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, in January 2022.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 3

Dechert LLP handles every kind of change of control and transactional litigation, representing bidders, acquirers, sellers, officers and directors, and special board committees. Active in both federal and state courts throughout the country, its has a strong bench of trial, investigations and securities partners who devote part of their practice to M&A-related cases. David Kelly in New York and David Kistenbroker, who works from both New York and Chicago, are the lead partners. Kistenbroker and Chicago’s Joni S. Jacobsen recently represented PureCycle Technologies in a class action alleging the company made materially false and misleading statements concerning its reverse merger with ROCH SPAC. For Turtle Beach Corporation, Josh Hess in San Francisco successfully represented the client in defeating an attempt by shareholders to enjoin a shareholder vote on the its merger with Parametric Sound, Inc. New York-based Neil A Steiner is recommended for his work for hedge funds, investment advisers and corporations in securities litigation and deal-related disputes.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 3

Dechert LLP has a global restructuring practice advising both debtors and creditors in restructuring matters. Notable work includes its representation of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 cases of LATAM Airlines and its affiliates. Allan Brilliant operates from the New York office, and is also the practices’ global co-chair. He played an active role in the firm’s advice to Citadel pertaining to the Chapter 11 cases of Colombian airline, Avianca Holdings. In August 2022, the team in New York gained Douglas Mannal and Stephen Zide from Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.

Healthcare > Life sciences Tier 3

With experience advising life sciences clients of all sizes, Dechert LLP acts on a mix of transactions, litigation and corporate financings. Its corporate arm has acted on numerous IPOs for clinical-stage biopharma teams, as well as follow on and early funding rounds. Other corporate work includes M&A, monetization agreements, and business immigration. Disputes are a key part of the team’s workload, advising on product liability cases, antitrust disputes, and IP litigation, with an emphasis on small molecules cases. The team is co-led by Boston-based IP advisor Andrea Reid and New York-based David S Rosenthal, who advises on financings. New York-based Katherine Helm is a key name for patent litigation. Boston-based Brenda Sharton is also noteworthy for her advice to Moderna on EU data privacy breaches.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) Tier 3

Dechert LLP advises on the management, prosecution and enforcement of the trademark portfolios of major international corporates such as Willis Towers Watson, LaFargeHolcim and Zara. Headed by trademark searching and clearance authority Glenn A Gundersen at the Philadelphia office, the group’s client base spans the tech, food and beverages, apparel, and insurance sectors. The team is supported in New York by Jennifer Insley-Pruitt, who was promoted to partner in January 2022, and, in addition to trademark counselling, assists clients with right of publicity and advertising issues, and associate Gayle Denman, who represents clients in fashion, healthcare, professional sports, and media and entertainment.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 3

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts Tier 3

Dechert LLP distinguishes itself with its strong global reach, acting for a wide range of private equity funds and other investors across key jurisdictions, and maintains its record in cross-border deals. The team works with its offices across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East on inbound and outbound work involving US investors or targets, and is able to provide lifecycle support to funds. The practice has continued to expand both in terms of clients, with Seawall Capital a standout client win, and at senior level, with Sarah Kupferman promoted to partner in January 2021 in recognition of her emerging role in buyouts and portfolio company M&A. Mark E Thierfelder  leads the team, and remains active on behalf of top clients including GIC, Cerberus, and CVC, representing GIC as part of a consortium in its landmark $34bn acquisition of Medline. Jonathan Kim continues to combine deal value and deal volume effectively, working with major funds on bulge-bracket and mid-market deals, while Ken Young divides his time between New York and Pennsylvania, co-heading the domestic PE team and handling complex, often cross-border deals in the technology, financial services and energy sectors, among others. Derek M Winokur  has closed a number of major strategic deals for One Equity Partners and portfolio companies during 2021, and also remains active on behalf of other strategic buyers and sellers Lawyers are in New York unless otherwise stated.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 3

Dechert LLP is able to attract high-profile clients dealing with significant data breaches and cyber-attacks as well as those seeking strategic advice especially in connection to M&A, financings and commercial transactions due diligence. Brenda Sharton and Karen Neuman head up the practice from Boston and Washington DC; respectively. Sharton is praised as ‘a fantastic partner to any business’ and an expert litigator, arbitrator and often acts on civil government, regulatory and enforcement matters. Neuman specializes, among other matters, in the collection, use, processing and protection of consumer and employee data. Associate Hilary Bonaccorsi in Boston is highlighted for her knowledge of global privacy and cybersecurity laws and frameworks.

Tax > International tax Tier 3

Working in close collaboration with its London, Luxembourg, and Paris offices, Dechert LLP provides tax advice to global asset management firms, financial services firms, and mutual and investment funds. The team is particularly strong in advising middle-market private equity firms on structuring of M&A transactions, holding companies, and financing. Additionally, it deals with tax aspects of structured finance and securitizations, as well as REITs and transfer pricing agreements. In New York, practice head Joshua Milgrim advises private equity firms and public and closely-held companies on corporate transactions, as well as the formation of investment management companies. He works alongside Ari M. Zak, a specialist in international taxation of investment funds. Structured finance transaction experts William Cejudo and Michael Rufkahr are based in Washington DC., while in Boston Adrienne M Baker covers FATCA compliance and tax for private and regulated investment companies. In November 2021, M&A tax specialist David Passey joined from Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP. Daniel M Dunn has retired, while Steven E Clemens departed in June 2021.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 3

Dechert LLP enjoys a stellar reputation in the funds space, routinely acting for many of the world’s largest asset management firms, mutual fund groups, and investment banks. Structured finance transactions and life sciences-sector M&A deals are also key workflows for the team. Global tax chair Joshua Milgrim assists numerous private equity firms and their portfolio companies with big-ticket acquisitions, divestitures, and IPOs, while Philadelphia-based Edward Lemanowicz is noted for his expertise in federal taxation and international restructuring mandates. Boston-based Adrienne M Baker‘s investment broad company-focused practice encompasses partnership taxation and hedge fund products. Joseph A. Riley and Ari M. Zak are regularly sought out by various financial services companies for assistance in high-value structuring and permanent capital issues. M&A tax specialist David Passey joined the team from Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP in November 2021. Steven E Clemens has left the practice. All named lawyers are based in New York unless noted otherwise.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4

Dechert LLP is well equipped to handle commercial and investor-state arbitrations on behalf of a mix of clients, including sovereign states, state-owned enterprises, corporations and high-net-worth individuals. The group’s sector experience is equally comprehensive, with recent strong showings in internet governance, energy, mining and telecoms-related matters. Based between Washington DC and London, global department co-chair Arif H. Ali is particularly recognized for his record in investor-state disputes. From Washington DC, Alexandre de Gramont strikes a balance between investor-state and commercial arbitration cases — he also acts on enforcement matters, such as his recent work for the Republic of Poland on recognition and enforcement proceedings in the US. Érica Franzetti left to join King & Spalding LLP.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

Dechert LLP is especially active in the permanent capital and business development company sphere, and has maintained a strong presence in the life sciences field. The firm is most active in the investment grade segment. Boston partner Thomas Friedmann is co-head of corporate finance and capital markets, and co-head of permanent capital with Washington DC’s Harry S. Pangas also active in the permanent capital space, along with Jay Alicandri in New York.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Dechert LLP has maintained a strong presence in headline IPOs and other key engagements such as jurisdictional migrations; it represented Tiziana Life Sciences in its movement from listings on both the London Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, to a sole listing on NASDAQ. The life sciences, private credit and business development company sectors are particular key areas for the team. Thomas Friedmann, Boston managing partner and co-chair of the capital markets practice, is a prominent name in private credit and business development company offerings, and fellow co-chair of the team and New York partner David S Rosenthal is at the forefront of life sciences transactions.

Finance > Capital markets: global offerings

Dechert LLP has a background in Latin America offerings, notably those originating from Chile and Mexico. New York partner Howard Kleinman  is a seasoned Latin America specialist with an extensive record in debt offerings. The firm is also active in global offerings by US issuers, including those in the life sciences and permanent capital fields. Boston’s Thomas Friedmann and New York partner David S Rosenthal lead the capital markets practice.

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

Finance > Commercial lending

Straddling the lender and borrower sides of the market, Dechert LLP has a solid debt finance practice that the has an identifiable presence in the middle market, advising on senior credit facilities, first lien/second lien financings, mezzanine debt, and restructurings. The group operates on a cross office basis: Scott M Zimmerman and Jay Alicandri  act from New York;  David Forti and Sarah Gelb operate from the Philadelphia office; and Richard Jones splits his time across both locations. The practice grew further in 2021 with the May arrival of Soo-ah Nah and the addition of Ani Ravi, who joined in September. The pair formerly worked at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP respectively.

Environment > Environment: transactional Tier 4

Based in Philadelphia, Dechert LLP‘s practice routinely advises on the environmental implications of acquisitions and divestitures in the real estate and corporate spaces, and is also fairly active in real estate financing deals at the domestic and international levels. Working in close collaboration with the firm’s 26 offices around the globe, the team receives instructions involving the negotiation of environmental provisions in the structuring of transactions, environmental due diligence and development of mechanisms to mitigate environmental risks, including indemnities and reps and warranties policies. In addition to assessing the environmental liabilities associated with corporate, real estate and financing deals, department leader Abbi Cohen is also recommended for federal permitting and regulatory compliance advice. The latter is an area of focus for John Ix, who is also seasoned in environmental disputes.

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

Recommended for being ‘diligent, comprehensive, collaborative, nimble, and resourceful’, Dechert LLP‘s practice is widely recognized as a highly-competitive player in the life sciences sector, regularly acting for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in a wide variety of matters, including patent portfolio development for pre-public and discovery stage clients, the management of international patent portfolios, multi-million dollar transactions, and disputes brought before the USPTO. Boston’s Andrea Reid and Andrew Wilkins, who joined the firm in February 2021 from Lathrop GPM, share the helm of the practice. Chad E. Davis, also in Boston, is another name to note. Carl Morales left the firm in October 2021.

International Trade > Trade remedies and trade policy Tier 4

Dechert LLP garners praise for being ‘an expert in the field‘, on the back of its strong showings in the export controls and economic sanctions areas. The trade team also frequently acts alongside the firm’s financial services and corporate groups to assist clients in obtaining CFIUS clearances. Amanda DeBusk chairs the international trade and government regulation practice globally and is widely considered among the market leaders for export controls and economic sanctions. Department co-chair Jeremy B. Zucker is also well versed in export controls and sanctions; he additionally advises foreign investors and acquirers and domestic sellers and targets on CFIUS matters. Darshak Dholakia, who has an emphasis on economic sanctions, anti-bribery, export controls and CFIUS issues, is also noted. Melissa Duffy joined Fenwick & West LLP.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design Tier 4

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 4

At Dechert LLP, cross-border transactions form approximately two-thirds of the workload – the team is able to draw on support from a substantial global platform spread across more than 20 offices across the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. In New York, Mark Thierfelder, a veteran of over 200 transactions, leads the corporate and securities practice and also serves as global chair of the firm’s private equity department. Key sectors include life sciences, healthcare, industrials and financial services.

Media, technology and telecoms > Fintech Tier 4

Dechert LLP has a wide-ranging workload in the fintech space that includes cutting-edge cryptocurrency transactions, as well as more traditional transactional, cybersecurity and regulatory matters. Silicon Valley-based partner Timothy Spangler has experience of fund management, fintech and cryptocurrency issues, all of which intersected on his lead role assisting Franklin Templeton on the launch of its groundbreaking blockchain-based mutual fund. Philadelphia-based Ralph Mazzeo is also experienced in related securitizations and digital assets. The regulatory and compliance aspects are typically handled by Susan Grafton in Washington DC and San Francisco practice head Mark D Perlow, a former senior counsel in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. Karen Neuman (Washington DC) and Boston’s Brenda Sharton are respectively on hand for non-contentious and contentious privacy and cybersecurity issues.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 5

Mark S. Cheffo – Dechert LLP

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

Dechert LLP‘s practice garners praise for being ‘technically sophisticated, smart, transparent, and ethical’. The group headed by Philadelphia’s Martin J Black , which is able to ‘identify strengths and weaknesses as cases mature’, regularly acting on the plaintiff’s side, has a particular strength in the life sciences sector with a dedicated Hatch-Waxman litigation team. The New York-based Katherine Helm has a focus on pharmaceutical and biotech patent litigation. In 2021 Howard Levine and Jennifer Swan joined from Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP. Silicon Valley’s Nisha Patel left the firm for an in-house position.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 5

At Dechert LLP, a breadth of experience advising both private equity sponsors and institutional investors allows the team to provide clients with the most current knowledge regarding deal terms, innovations, regulatory issues, tax-efficient structures and capital raising techniques. The group has a particularly strong focus on debit/credit funds, and has a significant track record establishing such funds in jurisdictions ranging from Dublin to Luxembourg. The firm’s secondaries offering brings together fund formation and transactional experts, who work synergistically on a range of complex, cross-border deals. Practice head Omoz Osayimwese oversees matters from the New York office. Other recommended attorneys include Austin-based Tricia Lee – who is singled out by one client as a ‘lawyer of the highest caliber‘ – and Los Angeles-based Timothy Spangler, who is ‘able to “issue spot” like a fiend‘.

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

Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance Tier 3

Dechert LLP is a market leader in major debt restructurings and headline bankruptcies, a forte for the firm globally. Allan Brilliant is global chair of the financial restructuring group and has a longstanding record in Latin America engagements, often representing bondholders in cross-border restructurings. He continued to lead the team that advised the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 cases of LATAM Airlines and its affiliates, and also represented Citadel in connection with several phases of the cross-border restructuring of Colombian carrier, Avianca. Howard Kleinman provides further senior-level experience in Latin America transactions, including in the financing field; he led the team that advised Transelec as part of a consortium of investors that were awarded a $1.5bn project finance bid for the development of a 1,500km high-voltage transmission line in Chile. At associate-level, the May-2022 hire of dual-qualifed (New York/Chile) ex-Carey lawyer, Isaac Stevens, brings additional LatAm-oriented expertise to the firm’s financial restructuring group.

Latin America: International firms > Capital markets Tier 4

Dechert LLP has extensive experience in representing bondholders in debt restructurings. A team led by the highly regarded Allan Brilliant represented the official committee of unsecured creditors of LATAM Airlines Group in LATAM’s chapter 11 insolvency proceedings, amongst a number of other headline debt restructurings. Howard Kleinman is another experienced Latin America specialist with a number of issuer clients in the region, particularly in Chile.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A