Dechert LLP > Philadelphia, United States > Firm Profile

Dechert LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

With the ability to ‘translate complex legal analysis into practical and actionable advise’, Dechert LLP is a highly reputed outfit for both individual and corporate representation in the white-collar space. Supplementing its domestic expertise with strong offices in major international hubs, the practice is well-equipped to handle cross-border investigations and litigation opposite global regulatory authorities. Former US Attorney David Kelley and trial lawyer David Kistenbroker jointly lead the practice out of New York, where Andrew Levander and Jonathan Streeter are further names to note. Washington DC’s Catherine Botticelli, who regularly advises clients stemming from the financial services sector, provides ‘deep investigative skills and a focused, constructive approach in dealing with regulators‘. On the West Coast, San Francisco-based Hartley West has extensive experience dealing with allegations of fraud, corruption, and money laundering.

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

Drawing upon a strong pool of experienced and up-and-coming talent on the East and West coasts, in particular, Dechert LLP is able to handle a wide variety and volume of defense matters for many leading pharma and medical devices clients, particularly in the context of large-scale MDLs/class actions. The firm regularly takes the lead role in such aggregated mandates, formulating core strategy decisions and regularly securing key victories through persuasive motions, as well as in litigation before juries. Mark Cheffo is regularly at the forefront of the highest-profile mandates handled by the firm, a reflection of the esteem with which he is held by clients as a result of his expertise through the litigation process, including at a motions stage – where he has briefed and conducted numerous Daubert/Frye challenges. Lauded as a ‘strong practitioner with excellent strategic smarts’, Los Angeles-based partner Kimberly Branscome is a key exemplar of the firm’s trial expertise, in particular, as well as its visibility throughout California. The vastly experienced Sheila L. Birnbaum  has amassed many successes at trial and motions stage throughout her long career and has had involvement in many key medical devices/pharmaceutical product liability matters, including as it relates to opioid medication, breast implants and mesh products. Cheffo, Branscome and Birnbaum co-head the team that also includes Paul LaFata, who has developed niche expertise in relation to the co-ordination of multi-jurisdictional elements of major product liability MDLs and class actions and Rachel Passaretti-Wu, who as well as her versatile core pharma and toxic tort litigation offering, is also adept at assisting clients with appropriate crisis management-related responses. All named practitioners are based out New York, unless otherwise stated.

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

The blue chip client base of Dechert LLP‘s investment funds department appreciate its ‘great depth in its mutual fund practice‘. The firm is a strong choice for the gamut of issues in the space, covering formation and fund raising, day-to-day operations, regulatory compliance, and all potential disputes. The sizeable practice includes many practitioners with experience as in-house counsel and regulators, and clients include funds, advisers, boards of directors and audit committees, independent directors, broker-dealers, insurance companies, and banks. Recent work has included a number of conversions from mutual funds to exchange-traded funds, following the national trend, and the regulatory side of the practice has been busy with new SEC regulations. Christopher Harvey oversees the practice from the firm’s Boston office and is a leading figure in the market. Alongside him, Christopher Christian is a key contact for US and European asset managers and investment funds, and John O’Hanlon is a regulatory expert. In New York, Allison Fumai stands out for her ETF expertise, while Washington DC is another key location, where Megan Johnson and Douglas Dick are based. San Francisco-based Mark Perlow is recommended by clients as ‘one of the most respected mutual fund/investment adviser attorneys‘.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 1

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.

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

Primarily centred out of New York but also gaining traction on the West Coast, exemplified by the work of Los Angeles based Kimberly Branscome, Dechert LLP regularly handles high-profile toxic tort-related class actions and MDLs, both in the environmental space, as well as in cases involving harm caused by pharma products. In these matters the team, which includes many accomplished trial lawyers, regularly acts as national counsel, coordinating and presenting the key arguments and motions to the courts. Douglas Fleming has a strong grounding in environmental toxic torts and is a key member of the team alongside Rachel Passaretti-Wu defending  Saint-Gobain in high-profile civil litigation and regulatory matters relating to alleged damage caused by exposure to forever chemicals in drinking water. An expert in toxic torts, Sheila L. Birnbaum  has deep expertise in the space and co-heads the overarching product liability and mass torts team alongside Branscome and Mark Cheffo . All named practitioners are based in New York, unless otherwise noted.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 2

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.

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.

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

The experienced Brenda Sharton, co-chair of Dechert LLP‘s global privacy and cybersecurity practice from the Boston office, handles high profile data breaches, not limited to ransomware attacks and business email interruptions brought about by a range of threat actors, including nation states, organized crime groups and insiders. Sharton also defends clients against government investigations and enforcement actions brought by global and US regulators, namely the FTC, SEC and OCR for HIPAA breaches. Also working from Boston, trial litigator Timothy Blank advises technology, biotechnology and investment firms on privacy risks in relation to US state and global regulations, drafting security programs, class action defenses, responding to data breaches and FTC investigations. Los Angeles-based Kevin Cahill advises on complex and nuanced issues related to the scope of the CCPA’s GLBA carve-out and its impact on personal information collected from investors across various channels. Charlotte-stationed associate Hilary Bonaccorsi is a key contact for financial institutions and registered investment advisors on the SEC’s privacy regulations. Bonaccorsi also focuses on developing compliance programs related to the development and purchase of alternative data sets and web scrapping risks. Former co-chair Karen Neuman has retired.

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.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 3

Dechert LLP handles merger clearances for public companies, private equity funds, and their portfolio companies, combining work on HSR filings and joint venture approvals with notable litigation capabilities and regular roles representing third-party challengers to high-profile mergers in proceedings brought by the FTC and DOJ, as well as before international antitrust regulators and state attorneys general. The team has broad sector expertise, with notable involvements in the retail, healthcare, and energy industries, with practice co-head Mike Cowie  a go-to for contentious merger work in the life sciences and healthcare space, and a former FTC official alongside James A Fishkin , who has in-agency experience of merger trials. Steven Bizar  co-leads the team from Philadelphia, while Shari Ross Lahlou is noted for her expertise in investigations and merger-related litigation, and Rani Habash  continues to expand his reputation with regular work for major healthcare clients such as CVS Health and Aetna. The team was bolstered by the February 2023 arrival of the experienced Jay Jurata, a specialist in tech platforms deals, from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Lawyers are in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

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.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 3

Dechert LLP fields a team of specialized 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 trials, investigations and securities team is led by Catherine Botticelli in Washington DC and Jonathan Streeter in New York. Also in New York, Christina Sarchio  is well versed in the consumer products, financial, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, sports and transportation industries, while Linda Goldstein focuses on claims brought by institutional investors and customer arbitrations. New York’s Gary Mennitt co-chairs the international insolvency litigation group, while Steven Bizar co-heads the antitrust/competition practice, operating between New York and Philadelphia.

Dispute resolution > International litigation Tier 3

Acting for corporates, sovereign states, financial institutions and creditors, Dechert LLP has broad international litigation experience including acting in parallel proceedings across multiple jurisdictions as well as distressed financial situations, investigations and judgement enforcement. Catherine Botticelli and Jonathan Streeter, based in Washington DC and New York respectively, lead the practice. Meanwhile, Andrew Levander and Mauricio España, based in New York, focus on commercial litigation, white-collar and regulatory investigations. Also in New York is Linda Goldstein who concentrates on securities litigation including claims brought by institutional investors and class actions, and co-head of the firm’s insolvency litigation group, Gary Mennitt, is experienced in multinational contentious matters particularly relating to creditors’ rights and bondholders.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 3

At Dechert LLP, ‘all members of the team are equally strong and engaged, and they do a phenomenal job‘. The firm is well-versed in all types of change of control and transactional litigation, and it frequently acts for leading private equity funds, sovereign investors and major corporations. David Kelley in New York and David Kistenbroker, who works from both New York and Chicago, lead the trial, investigations and securities practice. Richard Horvath and Josh Hess in San Francisco, and David Kotler in New York are ‘excellent lead trial attorneys, who are able to explain complex legal issues to both lawyers and non-lawyers alike‘.  Hess and Kotler successfully defeated an attempt by shareholders to enjoin a vote on the merger between headphones manufacturer Turtle Beach and audio technology company Parametric Sound, Inc. Chicago’s Joni Jacobsen also plays a central role in the practice.

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

Primarily based in New York and California, Dechert LLP‘s product liability and mass torts team has a strong reputation, in particular, in the defense of consumer product-related healthcare and pharma matters. As well as handling many high-profile consolidated disputes relating to personal injury as a result of side effects following the use of drugs manufactured from brand-name pharma companies, the team also handles a growing number of healthtech-related disputes. In this regard, Los Angeles-based Benjamin Sadun is representing a well-known women’s health app in its global defense of alleged privacy violations. Outside of the healthcare and pharma space, the firm continues to defend 3M in the largest ever MDL to date brought by  US military veterans and service members alleging that their hearing loss was caused by defective earplugs sold to the US military. Los Angeles-based partner Sheila Birnbaum co-heads the overarching product liability and mass torts group alongside Mark S. Cheffo  in New York. Former co-head Kimberly Branscome moved to Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in February 2024.

Finance > Fintech Tier 3

Dechert LLP has made good headway into the market with a combination of expertise in cryptocurrencies and digital assets, and traditional finance products. The firm has developed a good niche in related investment fund work, with clients such as Franklin Templeton instructing the team to assist with the launch of its tokenized money market fund. Lead partners include Timothy Spangler in Los Angeles, who works at the crossover between fintech and alternative investment management. Respectively based in San Francisco and Washington DC, Mark Perlow and Susan Grafton are highly experienced in regulatory matters, while Karen Neuman (Washington DC) and Brenda Sharton (Boston) are lead contacts for data privacy and cybersecurity. The firm also recruited New York partner Jay Southgate from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, who has a strong focus on consumer lending and fintech.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 3

With experience representing bank groups, unsecured creditors’ committees, bondholders, acquirers, and debtors, Allan Brilliant in New York chairs Dechert LLP’s global financial restructuring practice, which is best known for representing ad hoc and official creditors’ committees in relation to mid-to-large-scale and complex restructurings both in and out of court. Brilliant has recently led a team representing the official committee of unsecured creditors in connection with the Chapter 11 case of LATAM Airlines. Craig Druehl focuses on advising ad hoc groups and official committees and played an important role in both cases.

Healthcare > Life sciences Tier 3

Regarded by some clients as ‘easily the best', Dechert LLP’s global life sciences practice often handles patent and IP litigations, contentious antitrust matters, and product liability related issues. Working with a host of start-ups and mature pharmaceutical and biotech companies, Andrea Reid co-heads the team from Boston, drawing on her expertise in IP strategy and prosecution. Based in New York, the ‘truly exceptional‘ fellow co-chair David S Rosenthal maintains a corporate finance and life sciences M&A focused practice. Rosenthal routinely advises public and private investment banks and venture capital firms on IPOs and CMPOs looking to invest in life sciences and medical device companies. Also based in New York, Katherine Helm notably acts for biotech and pharmaceutical companies in biologics patent disputes before the PTAB.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: large deals ($500m+) Tier 3

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.

Tax > International tax Tier 3

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.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 3

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.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4

Lawyers at Dechert LLP ‘operate in a result-oriented manner by targeting significant and striking points‘, according to clients. With a track record of success in both commercial and investor-state cases, the team acts for a diverse mix of corporate and sovereign clients in arbitral, enforcement and annulment proceedings. Arif H. Ali, who splits his practice between Washington DC and London, co-chairs the global group and has strong recent experience in the energy and natural resources, construction, hospitality, and internet governance spheres, among others. Alexandre de Gramont, who led on several state-side investment-related arbitrations over the past year, and associate David Attanasio are also noted in Washington DC.

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.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

Dechert LLP continues to be rated for its expertise in life sciences and permanent capital vehicles; it is a dominant force in issuances by business development companies (BDCs). It recently advised Blackstone Private Credit Fund on its $500m private placement of 2.700% senior secured notes due 2025 and $650m private placement of 4.000% senior secured notes due 2029. Jay Alicandri is a major force in DCM offerings in the permanent capital and private credit segments. Boston partner Thomas Friedmann is co-head of corporate finance and capital markets and co-head of permanent capital, frequently advising on capital markets offerings by BDCs.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Dechert LLP’s capital markets practice remains closely associated with life sciences and permanent capital vehicles, including business development companies. It is also noted for cross-border offerings, including those from Latin America. Thomas Friedmann, Boston managing partner and co-chair of the capital markets group, is noted for permanent capital vehicle transactions. New York partner David S Rosenthal co-heads the capital markets group and has a long track record in life sciences transactions.

Finance > Capital markets: global offerings

Dechert LLP has an established record in cross-border offerings, particularly those involving Latin America. It is also active in cross-border offerings for permanent capital vehicles and business development companies. Recently, it advised Blackstone Private Credit Fund, a closed-end management investment company and business development company, on its inaugural euro-dominated offering of €500m of 1.750% Notes due 2026. Boston’s Thomas Friedmann and New York partner David S Rosenthal, a life sciences specialist, co-chair the capital markets practice. Howard Kleinman departed for McDermott Will & Emery LLP in July 2023.

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

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.

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.

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

Dechert LLP‘s Boston-based practice is co-led by Andrea Reid and Andrew Wilkins, who is described as ‘one of the best IP counsel’. The team is adept at advising on prosecution in a multitude of areas, though there is an evident expertise across the board in biotech, with the team being noted as a ‘terrific partner when it comes to new technologies’. Additionally, its work in life sciences and pharmaceuticals is noteworthy, a key example being Reid and the ‘business-centric’ and ‘excellent’ Chad Davis representing AVEO Oncology on the $566m multi-jurisdictional creation of its patent portfolio following its acquisition by LG Chem. Scott Warren  left the firm in August 2022.

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

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

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.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 5

Mark S. Cheffo – Dechert LLP

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.

International Trade > Customs, export controls and economic sanctions Tier 5

The Washington DC-based team at Dechert LLP possesses extensive experience in supporting US and foreign clients on highly sensitive economic sanctions and export controls-related matters. Advising on the full scope of compliance, investigations and enforcement, the group had strong recent activity in the technology, energy, financial services, and aerospace and defense sectors. Most notably, department head Jeremy B. Zucker recently paired up with up-and-coming partner Darshak Dholakia to advise Huawei on sanctions and export controls issues in relation to ongoing US Government investigations. Former global trade chair Amanda DeBusk recently retired.

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

A wide range of middle-market private equity fund and credit fund sponsors look to Dechert LLP for fund formation, advice on operational issues and for transactional matters. Debit and credit funds are a particularly strong area for the team that is represented across the country; led by New York-based Omoz Osayimwese, who is well-versed in advising renowned sponsors. Tricia Lee in Austin is valued by clients as ‘careful and thoughtful in her drafting‘ and ‘knows the private equity business from all sides‘, and is adept at advising on funds with values above $5bn. Veteran Carl de Brito has a longstanding practice in New York, while on the west coast, Timothy Spangler is a key contact, particularly for fund formation in the fintech space.

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

Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation