Dechert provides strategic, high-stakes litigation solutions, guiding clients through government investigations, competitor challenges, and class actions. Mike Cowie in Washington, DC is strong in merger investigations and litigation, with a particular focus on healthcare and life sciences. Steven Bizar, who is based in both Philadelphia and New York, is a co-chair of the practice and first-chair trial lawyer, defending antitrust class actions and bet-the-company disputes across federal and state courts and arbitral tribunals globally. Jay Jurata in Washington, DC is a trial lawyer with experience in technology-related antitrust matters, government investigations, and cross-border competition law. Litigator George G Gordon handles antitrust disputes, IP-related competition issues, and trial and appellate matters, working out of Philadelphia. Russell Cohen in San Francisco focuses on antitrust litigation, investigations, and counseling across industries. Shari Ross Lahlou in Washington, DC represents clients in antitrust and merger litigation, including multi-district and class action cases.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team at Dechert is one of the most impressive in terms of having individual standouts in different aspects of law but who can and do work together without territorialism that often affects such relationships.'
- 'What impresses me about the Dechert partners I know is their ability to foresee where a case is going and to best prepare for that scenario.'
- 'Dechert stands out because of its ability to truly understand the client’s business and strategic objectives. They don’t just litigate—they immerse themselves in the facts and context, ensuring every decision aligns with the broader business strategy.'
- 'I found the approach to be strategic, holistic and practical.'
- 'Very strategic, holistic approach, understanding of the business, practical.'
Key clients
- Albertsons Companies, Inc.
- CVS Health Corporation
- Zillow, Inc.
- Microsoft Corporation
- Johnson & Johnson, Inc.
- Occidental Petroleum Corporation and Occidental Chemical Corporation
- Approved Oil Co. of Brooklyn, Inc.
- Anadarko
- Fox Corporation
- Commercial Metals Company
- Lannett Company, Inc.
- Cerberus Capital Management
Work highlights
Securing on appeal a complete victory for Zillow in a high-stakes jury trial brought by REX-Real Estate Exchange, which alleged anticompetitive and deceptive practices to conceal listings on Zillow’s website and sought over USD 1 billion in damages.
Acting for Albertsons in the highest-profile U.S. merger litigation of 2024, defending the company in multiple separate challenges to rival grocery company Kroger’s USD 24.6 billion proposed acquisition of Albertsons.
Representing key non-party Microsoft in the remedies phase of the DOJ’s high-profile lawsuit against Google, following a liability decision in August 2024 finding that Google illegally maintained its monopoly in general search.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Mike Cowie; Steven E. Bizar
Other key lawyers
Jay Jurata; George Gordon; Russell Cohen; Shari Ross Lahlou; Julia Chapman; John McClam; Erica Fruiterman; Elena Kamenir