Dechert LLP > Philadelphia, > Firm Profile
Dechert LLP Offices
CIRCA CENTRE, 2929 ARCH STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19104-2808
PENNSYLVANIA
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Dechert LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
United States > Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 2
The ‘forward-thinking and innovative’ team at Dechert LLP is well-versed across a range of transaction types, from CRE securitizations, CMBS and resi-securitization mandates to CLOs and ABS, with notable experience advising on esoteric assets. Noted for its expertise in the real estate sector, the team counts bulge bracket banks, private investors and alternative financiers among its key roster of clients. In the firm’s Charlotte office, Stewart McQueen, who focuses on CMBS and CRE CLOs, leads the practice alongside head of the structured credit and CLO group, Christopher Duerden, and New York-based Ralph Mazzeo, who represents private equity and hedge fund managers in RMBS transactions. The New York office is also home to Laura Swihart, who stands out for her expertise in handling CMBS mandates, while Charlotte-based John Timperio advises on mid-market CLO transactions. Sarah Milam and Linda Bartosch, who operate from the firm’s New York and Philadelphia offices respectively, are also key names, alongside and New York’s Jay Southgate.
Practice head(s):
Stewart McQueen; Christopher Duerden; Ralph Mazzeo
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is forward-thinking and innovative, they think outside the box. Always available to provide advice on the pre-execution phase.’
Key clients
Bain Capital Credit CLO Advisors, LP
CarVal CLO Management LLC
Cerberus Capital Management
Churchill Asset Management LLC / Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp.
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.; Citibank NA
Deutsche Bank Securities
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
First Help Financial LLC
Golub Capital / GC Advisors LLC / GC Investment Management LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.
MF1 Capital
Pagaya US Holding Company LLC / Pagaya Structured Products LLC
Palmer Square Capital Management LLC
Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and REVL Securities LLC
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
Reigo Investments Ltd
TPG RE Finance Trust, Inc.
Work highlights
- Represented MF1 Capital, as issuer’s counsel, in its CLO issuance.
- Advised Churchill Asset Management on its inaugural US$700 million collateralized fund obligation.
- Advised Pagaya on 5 “PAID” securitizations of unsecured consumer loans totalling in excess of US$5 billion.
United States > Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 3
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 > Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 3
Dechert LLP acts for domestic and international clients on all data and e-discovery issues associated with high-stakes disputes and corporate investigations. The group benefits from the firm’s international network of offices, allowing multinational support for clients. ‘Exceptional subject matter expert’ Ben Barnett leads the team from Philadelphia; he covers antitrust matters and product liability issues, and has particular expertise in complex simultaneous criminal and civil litigation. Counsel Matt Tate, also of Philadelphia, has experience in e-discovery, data management, and data privacy, and has almost 20 years’ experience in the practice area.Practice head(s):
Ben Barnett
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Tate
Testimonials
‘Ben Barnett’s core team has provided exceptional service.’
‘Ben Barnett is an exceptional subject matter expert and always has the client’s best interest in mind. He has a unique ability to command respect and ensure that various stakeholders are operating together towards a common goal.’
Key clients
Huawei Technologies
GSK
J&J
Flo Health, Inc.
JUUL Labs, Inc.
Easy Healthcare Corp
Work highlights
- Representing GSK as lead counsel in connection with MDL and state-court litigation alleging that heartburn medication Zantac causes cancer as a result of the formation of the chemical NDMA.
- Respresenting Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries in a purported indirect purchaser class action related to the sale of samples of brand drug, Tracleer, to competing generic companies.
- Representing Flo in eight class-actions in California, three class-actions in Canada, and one in Israel, in connection with it allegedly sharing user health-data.
United States > Environment > Environment: transactional Tier 4
The environmental team at Dechert LLP is led out of Philadelphia by Abbi Cohen and has a strong track record in acquisitions and divestitures in the real estate and infrastructure sectors. The firm also handles financing transactions, environmental insurance, and licensing and permitting matters, and acts for investors, lenders, property owners and non-profit organizations. Cohen is well versed in environmental due diligence and liability on domestic and cross-border transactions. Special counsel John Ix is a name for regulatory compliance issues, disputes and transactions.Practice head(s):
Abbi Cohen
Other key lawyers:
United States > Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 5
The intellectual property group at Dechert LLP works on international IP disputes including global pharma assets, with experience in numerous US district courts along with advising on cases internationally. Numerous members of the practice possess advanced degrees in scientific and technical backgrounds. Martin Black leads the national patent litigation team out of the firm’s Philadelphia office, alongside Austin-based Jeffrey B. Plies. Operating out of New York, Katherine Helm frequently represents innovator pharma and biotech companies, utilizing her neuroscience doctorate.
Practice head(s):
Martin Black; Jeffrey B. Plies
Testimonials
‘They are outstanding lawyers; creative thinkers, for good value, and a diverse team.’
‘Katherine “Kassie” Helm, Martin Black, and George Gordon are excellent. They are creative thinkers, good writers, and strong communicators.’
Key clients
AbbVie / Allergan
BioDelivery Sciences International (BDSI)
Boston Scientific Corporation
Conagen
Eli Lilly and Company
IOENGINE, LLC
IPCom GMBH & Co. KG
Kymera Therapeutics Inc.
Microsoft Corporation
Mondis Technology, Ltd., Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
Samsung Electronics
Tekni-Plex, Inc.
True Spec Golf, LLC
Work highlights
- Represented Eli Lilly & Co. relating to worldwide discovery authorized under 28 U.S.C § 1782 in a highly watched global patent litigation involving Novartis.
- Represented Conagen against Givaudan – as both plaintiff and defendant – in a trial that encompassed six cases, five parties, four years, three courts and two states.
- Advised IPCom GMBH & Co. KG in a series of patent infringement suits, including against AT&T, Sprint Spectrum, Verizon Wireless, Nokia of America Corp, and Ericsson Inc., contending the telecommunications providers’ device infrastructure for transmitting wireless messages infringed six of IPCom’s cellular network technology patents.
United States > Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing)
United States > Real estate > Real estate finance
With national coverage, Dechert LLP is highly reputed for its expertise in origination of commercial real estate loans including mortgage and mezzanine loans, purchase and sale of participations and B-pieces seeking leverage through repo and other technologies, including CRE CLOs and other securitization solutions. The firm routinely acts for issuers, underwriters and asset sellers in CMBS and standalone securitizations of loans, often advising banks as lender’s counsel. Co-chair of the global practice, David Forti in Philadelphia works alongside New York’s Laura Swihart on complex commercial mortgage-backed securitization transactions, work-outs and foreclosures. Also in New York, Richard Jones is recommended for capital markets and mortgage finance, and Laura Ciabarra for on construction and transitional lending. Stewart McQueen in Charlotte heads the commercial mortgage-backed securities practice. In Philadelphia, Kenneth Hackman is noted for origination and securitization of single-family rental (SFR) loans, repurchase facilities and warehouse facilities. Nitya Kumar Goyal and counsel Victoria Boland are likewise noted for credit tenant lease financing, and mezzanine financings and subordinate debt.Practice head(s):
David Forti; Laura Swihart
Other key lawyers:
Richard Jones; Stewart McQueen; Laura Ciabarra; Kenneth Hackman; Nitya Kumar Goyal; Victoria Boland
Key clients
Cerberus Capital Management
Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp
Credit Suisse Group AG
CVI REIT I, LLC
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
Goldman Sachs
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.
Merchants Capital Corp.
MF1 Capital
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.
Santander
Société Générale
SMBC
Starwood Property Trust Inc.
TD Bank
Wells Fargo
Work highlights
- Represented Freddie Mac Freddie Mac, as Depositor, Guarantor and Master Servicer, in connection with the $316 million securitization of Tax-Exempt Loans (TELs) made by state or local housing agencies and secured by affordable rental housing.
- Advised a lender consortium, including Goldman Sachs, Citibank, Wells Fargo, Barclays, Santander, TD Bank, Société Générale, SMBC and BMO, in the $12 billion financing of KKR and GIP’s $15 billion take-private acquisition of global data center operator CyrusOne Inc.
- Represented Citibank, UBS, Bank of America, Bank of Montreal and Morgan Stanley, as co-lenders, in connection with the origination of three different capital stacks including mortgage and mezzanine loans totalling $4 billion in connection with a public to private acquisition of Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation by Industrial Logistics Properties Trust.
United States > Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense
The trial, investigations and securities practice at Dechert LLP has a deep bench of partners who represent a diverse range of clients, among them leading mutual funds and corporate issuers of securities. Practice head David Kistenbroker and key partner Joni Jacobsen, who work out of both the Chicago and New York offices, are highly praised by peers. They are currently handling a class action against Antares Pharma, Inc. that alleges the company provided insufficient information to the FDA in support of testosterone replacement therapy Xyosted and subsequently overstated the drug’s approval prospects, rendering public statements false and misleading. Regulatory enforcement specialist Michael Doluisio in Philadelphia and New York litigation partner Andrew Levander are acting for AmerisourceBergen Corp. in a shareholder derivative suit filed in Delaware Chancery Court accusing the company breaching its fiduciary duties by failing to oversee compliance with federal regulations concerning distribution of controlled substances and their contributing to the opioid epidemic. Matthew Larrabee, Andrew Levander and Linda Goldstein are the key practitioners in New York. In San Francisco, corporate governance litigation partner Richard Horvath and securities and antitrust partner Josh Hess are the main contacts.
Practice head(s):
David Kistenbroker
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
AIG Financial Products Corp.
AmerisourceBergen Corp.
Antares Pharma, Inc., Peter Graham, Robert F. Apple, Fred M. Powell, Leonard S. Jacob, Thomas J. Garrity, Anton G. Gueth, Jacques Gonella, Robert P. Roche, Jr.
Charles Schwab & Co. (“Schwab”)
CorMedix Inc. and certain current and former officers and directors
Former CFO Greg Rush of Syneos Health
Golub Capital
Leslie Moonves, former Chairman and CEO of CBS Corporation
Mallinckrodt Public Limited Company and certain officers and directors
Mark Frissora
Plex Systems, Inc. / Plex Systems Holdings, Inc.
PureCycle Technologies, Inc. and certain officers
Ronald Winowiecki, former Chief Financial Officer of Perrigo Company plc
Special Litigation Committee of Exelon
Work highlights
- Represented Mallinkrodt, a biopharmaceutical company that researches and develops drugs for the treatment of various ailments, in Strougo v. Mallinckrodt Public Limited Company et al., a purported class action against the Company and certain officers and directors, alleging that the Defendants made false and/or misleading statements or omissions about the drug Acthar’s safety and ability to treat ALS.
- Advising AmerisourceBergen Corp. in connection with a derivative suit filed against current and former members of ABC’s board of directors by putative shareholder CCAR Investments, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.
- Represented Charles Schwab & Co. in class action litigation brought in the Northern District of California that alleged breach of fiduciary duty and contract claims against it and its affiliated donor-advised fund, Schwab Charitable.
United States > Antitrust > Merger control
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 > M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: large deals ($500m+)
Dechert LLP has a longstanding and well-established presence in the private equity market, representing a diverse range of PE and private investment firms at every phase of the investment life-cycle. A hallmark of the firm’s practice is its cross-border capabilities, utilizing offices in the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East to advise on complex inbound and outbound transactions. Mark Thierfelder is global chair of the firm’s PE practice and recently led in a significant deal in the healthcare and TMT space, advising GIC in connection with its $17bn acquisition of Athenahealth. Jonathan Kim continues to grow his reputation for high-value M&A and PE buyouts, retaining clients such as Centre Partners, Further Global and PPC. Derek M Winokur and Sarah Kupferman regularly represent an impressive roster of strategic buyers, sellers and sponsors, including the likes of One Equity, Bruckmann and Rosser. Pennsylvania-based Kenneth E. Young brings a broad industry focus to the table, covering such areas as technology, energy and banking. Unless specified, attorneys are based in New York.Practice head(s):
Mark Thierfelder
Other key lawyers:
Jonathan Kim; Derek M Winokur; Sarah Kupferman; Kenneth E. Young
Key clients
GIC
Cerberus Capital Management
One Equity Partners
Graham Partners
Quilvest Private Equity
Ridgemont Equity Partners
Bregal Partners
Court Square Capital Partners
Certares
Blackstone Tactical Opportunities
SEMCAP
Work highlights
- Represented funds affiliated with Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., shareholders in Alberstons, in relation to Albertsons’ and Kroger’s definitive agreement to merge.
- Advised GIC Private Limited, the sovereign wealth fund of Singapore, on its investor consortium participation for the proposed all-cash $10.2 billion take private acquisition of Zendesk, led by global investment firms Permira and Hellman & Friedman.
- Advised GIC, the sovereign wealth fund of Singapore, in connection with the $17 billion acquisition of Athenahealth, a leading provider of cloud-based enterprise software solutions for medical groups and health systems nationwide.
United States > M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+)
As its global footprint continues to expand, the strength of Dechert LLP‘s cross-border capabilities is a hallmark of the corporate and M&A practice, which is trusted by many financial services companies, asset managers and private equity funds. The practice showcases deep expertise advising on corporate deals in the healthcare and life sciences segments, and has recently handled a variety of deals in the industrial sector. Mark Thierfelder – the chair of the global private equity, corporate and securities practices – has led on hundreds of announced and closed transactions spanning strategic M&A and private equity buyouts. He sits in the New York office, where Jonathan Kim is another key contact for private equity funds. New York-based Derek M Winokur heads up the private equity group alongside Kenneth E. Young in Pennsylvania, the latter of whom is also sought out by portfolio companies from the technology, financial services, energy and healthcare sectors.Practice head(s):
Mark Thierfelder
Other key lawyers:
Jonathan Kim; Kenneth E. Young; Derek Winokur; Michael Darby
Key clients
GIC
Cerberus Capital Management
T. Rowe Price
US Ecology
Certares
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Crown Holdings
Griffon Corporation
Court Square Capital
Work highlights
- Represented funds affiliated with Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., shareholders in Alberstons, in relation to Albertsons’ and Kroger’s definitive agreement to merge.
- Advised GIC Private Limited on its investor consortium participation for the proposed all-cash $10.2bn take private acquisition of Zendesk led by global investment firms Permira and Hellman & Friedman.
- Advised GIC in connection with the $17bn acquisition of athenahealth.
United States > Tax > International tax
Dechert LLP provides tax advice to a number of different clients including financial services firms, asset managers and investment funds, handling complex structured finance and securitization transactions, alongside advising on tax issues pertaining to issuers and underwriters. The practice has expertise in advising non-US investors investors in using BDC’s as a vehicle to invest in US originated loans. Joshua Milgrim leads the team from New York with particular experience in advising life science companies. Philadelphia’s Edward Lemanowicz concentrates on executing taxable and tax-free transactions.Practice head(s):
Joshua Milgrim
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Highly competent, creative, solution-oriented, user-friendly.’
Key clients
GIC
T. Rowe Price
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
GQG Partners
Court Square Capital Partners
Griffon Corp.
SciPlay
Stifel Financial Corp.
One Equity Partners
StepStone
Work highlights
- Advised GIC as part of an investor group in connection with the acquisition of a majority stake in medical supply company Medline.
- Advised T. Rowe Price Group in its definitive agreement to purchase Oak Hill Advisors.
- Advised Griffon Corporation in connection with its acquisition of the Hunter Fan Company for US$845 million.
United States > Tax > US taxes: non-contentious
Regarded for its involvement in the funds space, Dechert LLP underscores its reputation with instructions for leading global asset management firms and investment funds, as well as small and mid-sized complexes. Global tax chair Joshua Milgrim heads the practice, known for advising private equity firms and their portfolio companies on a broad range of corporate transactions, with a focus on the life sciences sector. Also sought out as lead counsel on various transactions are Elizabeth Guidi and David Passey. Philadelphia-based federal tax specialist Edward Lemanowicz handles international restructurings, while in Boston, Adrienne Baker focuses on partnership taxation, as well as private and regulated investment companies, including hedge funds and private equity funds. Among other key members are investment fund experts Joseph Riley and Ari Zak, whose combined expertise encompasses digital currencies and insurance. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.Practice head(s):
Joshua Milgrim
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
GIC
T. Rowe Price
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
GQG Partners
Court Square Capital Partners
Griffon Corp.
SciPlay
Stifel Financial Corp.
One Equity Partners
StepStone
Work highlights
- Advised GIC as part of an investor group including Blackstone, Carlyle and Hellman & Friedman, on the $34bn acquisition of a majority stake in Medline.
- Advising T. Rowe Price Group on its definitive agreement to purchase Oak Hill Advisors, acquiring 100% of the equity of OHA and other entities that have common ownership for a purchase price of up to $4.2bn.
- Advised Griffon Corporation on its $845m acquisition, through its subsidiary The AMES Companies, Inc., of the Hunter Fan Company from MidOcean Partners.
United States > Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings
Also noted for its capabilities in life sciences-related work, Dechert LLP‘s strength in offerings by financial institutions, including permanent capital vehicles, provides a platform for a steady pipeline of debt offering engagements. New York partner Jay Alicandri is active in high-yield debt offerings in the permanent capital and private credit sphere. Boston’s Thomas Friedmann and Philadelphia partner Ian Hartman are also key partners within the national practice.
Practice head(s):
Thomas Friedmann; David Rosenthal
Other key lawyers:
United States > Finance > Commercial lending
Dechert LLP provides debt finance advice to both lenders and borrowers, with the firm advising some of the largest private credit funds, BDCs and other alternative asset managers on acquisition finance, senior credit facilities and restructurings. Jay Alicandri, Laura Swihart and Scott Zimmerman lead the practice from the firm’s New York office, sharing leadership of the team with Philadelphia-based David Forti. A key change to the practice was the arrival of William Robertson from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP in April 2022.Practice head(s):
Jay Alicandri; David Forti; Laura Swihart; Scott Zimmerman
Other key lawyers:
William Robertson; Angelina Liang; Ed Newlands
Testimonials
‘Deep market knowledge for fund finance.’
‘Jay Alicandri is fantastic; very knowledgeable, commercial and easy to work with. Angelina Liang and Ed Newlands are talented, promising partners.’
‘The Dechert team is second to none. They represent the borrowers in this space in the vast majority of cases, so are intimately familiar with the quirks and preferences of every lender and even lender’s counsel.’
‘They understand the core direct lending business and the characteristics of the underlying assets, which makes them unrivaled in advising on the strengths and weaknesses of terms offered to our investment vehicles insomuch as terms would adversely affect or limit a portfolio or liquidity management. No other firm has this much experience in the US middle market direct lending space.’
‘Jay Alicandri is exceptional and trains his team to follow his standards. They are well staffed, highly responsive, highly thoughtful. Other strong colleagues include Ed Newlands and Sean Rosenthal. They are respectful to each other, high energy, and a pleasure to work with.’
‘Jay Alicandri values relationships. He is generous with his time and thoughts beyond the billed minute and this, in addition to this team’s outstanding work, engenders loyalty.’
Key clients
Barings
BC Partners
Blackstone
Blue Owl Capital
Bregal Partners
Centre Partners
Cerberus
Court Square Capital Partners
Deutsche Bank
FS Investments
GIC
Goldman Sachs
ING Capital
Liberty Lending
MiddleGround Capital
Moore Capital
Morgan Stanley Bank
One Equity Partners
Pretium Partners
Raymond James
Santander
Stella & Chewy’s
Sterling Investment Partners
Thoma Bravo
Work highlights
- Advised Blackstone Alternative Credit Advisors and its subsidiaries and joint ventures in more than 25 individual financings transactions totalling $27bn.
- Advised GIC Special Investments Pte in connection with its $17bn acquisition of Athenahealth.
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 |
Diversity
Dechert has a multinational identity that is fundamentally diverse. The firm’s commitments to diversity and inclusion are not simply words written on a website – they are guiding principles that all those at Dechert should live by every day. The numbers speak for themselves – 43% of our Policy Committee (the senior management team) are women or diverse partners, 62% of the lawyers promoted to partner in January 2021 are women or diverse, and 77% of the most recent incoming class – Dechert’s future – are women or diverse.
The following are just some of the key measures that Dechert has undertaken to improve diversity and inclusion at the firm.
Affinity Groups
To effect change, affinity groups identify and address diversity and inclusion-related issues, and create new and recurring programming focused on the attainment of professional and business development skills. They offer enhanced mentoring opportunities, retreats and educational workshop for diverse attorneys. Our affinity groups include:
- Asian Affinity Group
- Black Lawyers Alliance
- Dechert’s Family Network
- Global Women’s Initiative
- Latino Affinity Group
- LGBTQ Affinity Group
- Dechert Heroes (Veterans Affinity Group)
Aspiring Solicitors
Dechert is an Affiliate Partner of Aspiring Solicitors (AS). 2020/2021 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
As part of the firm’s inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Week (July 20-24, 2020), Dechert hosted journalist and filmmaker Afua Hirsch for a provocative conversation about race, identity and belonging, as well as how what we learn (or don’t learn) about our history has an impact on racism and inequality today.
The firm also held fast-paced virtual quizzes focused on diversity, inclusion and world culture, with a charitable donation made to the winning teams’ chosen charities focused on social justice.
Diversity Champions
Recognizing the individuals who serve as role models for the inclusive, open culture we value, Dechert offers the Diversity Champions award. In 2020, our people submitted 100 nominations. Four Diversity Champions were recognized at our annual all-hands event, with honorees each awarded a bonus.
Global Women’s Initiative
Members of Dechert’s Global Women’s Initiative (GWI) meet regularly with firm leadership to identify and implement initiatives that promote opportunities for women to advance and lead throughout the firm. Individual offices provide additional formal and informal support for women lawyers.
GWI initiatives include formal and informal mentoring, development training, meetings and events for summer associates, internal and external networking, special interest events, and leadership training. The GWI launched the Sponsorship and Sustained Support (SASS) program for senior women associates to help navigate the path to partnership.
Inclusive Leadership
Commitment to diversity and inclusion stems from the top. Our partners have been participating in quarterly, interactive sessions on inclusive leadership since 2018. Topics include affinity bias, attribution bias, covering, in and out groups, priming, unconscious bias, and inclusive leadership in times of crisis. Interactive sessions include dramatizations that prompt conversations long after the programming ends.
This program continues today, with the February 2021 session focused on actionable allyship. Inclusive leadership training has also been expanded to associates and business service professionals.
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.
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.”
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 > Civil litigation/class actions: defense
- United States > Dispute resolution > E-discovery
- United States > Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing)
- United States > Real estate > Real estate finance
- United States > Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense
- United States > Antitrust > Merger control
- United States > M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: large deals ($500m+)
- United States > M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+)
- United States > Tax > International tax
- United States > Tax > US taxes: non-contentious
- United States > Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings
- United States > Finance > Commercial lending