Dechert

Since its founding in 1875, Dechert has become a force in the global legal market. In the United States, the firm is known for its work in antitrust, international arbitration, financial services, life sciences, strategic transactions and private equity, litigation, white collar, product liability, real estate, and securities.

Business Savvy

George Tucker Bispham and Wayne MacVeagh partnered together to form MacVeagh & Bispham in 1875. MacVeagh would eventually leave the firm to become U.S. Attorney General and then ambassador to Italy. During World War II, the firm saw many of its attorneys leave to join the war effort. In response, the firm merged with Dechert, Smith and Clark.

In the late 1990s, Dechert began reshaping its business model to become more specialized. The firm began focusing on private equity, intellectual property, and white collar criminal defense. The firm also underwent significant expansion overseas beginning in the late ’90s and through the early 21st century, adding offices everywhere from France and China to Dubai and Singapore.

A Range of Expertise

With offices around the globe, Dechert handles cross-border work, has a bustling corporate practice, and is known for its litigation savvy. The firm advises across multiple industries, including banking and financial institutions, energy, financial services, fintech, health care, insurance, life sciences, private equity, real estate, and more.

Dechert has one of the world’s premier financial services practices. The firm represents 18 of the top 20 global asset managers, drawing on both its far-reaching domestic and international presence and its practice leaders, who are considered some of the biggest players in the market.

Its litigation team has more than 350 attorneys with deep experiences in a wide range of areas, including complex commercial litigation, ranging from product liability to appellate litigation, to private equity industry litigation. Meanwhile, its highly regarded real estate lawyers approach their matters from a cross-practice standpoint, bringing in knowledge of construction, environmental, regulatory compliance, litigation, and tax to address client needs.

A Supportive Culture

Dechert has found a unique way of rewarding mentoring within the ranks through its “Exceptional Teacher Awards” program. All attorneys, business professionals, and practice groups are invited to nominate the most proactive individuals who have made exceptional efforts to train and develop the firms’ people. Nominations are reviewed by a formal committee of partners and associates, and recipients are awarded $10,000 plus a commemorative plaque. The firm offers similar awards for Diversity Champions and Innovators.

Support comes in many forms, and another way that the firm stands by its lawyers is through wellness initiatives. THRIVE@Dechert is a work-life and wellness program that offers resources for healthy living, including Meditation Mondays—30 minutes of guided meditation led by a certified meditation teacher—and Mental Health Advocates, who are employees trained to both recognize and support colleagues struggling with mental health issues.

• Dechert advised 3M in the Combat Arms Earplugs Products Liability Litigation, the biggest mass torts case in history.

• Dechert represented Moderna Therapeutics in licensing and partnering agreements, including advice in connection with COVID-19 treatments and advising on its collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals to treat cystic fibrosis with gene editing.

• Dechert has an established relationship with Freddie Mac, handling billions of dollars’ worth of real estate collateral for the U.S. government. Dechert lawyers have managed 400+ securitizations totalling approximately $400 billion since 2009.

• Dechert, along with co-counsel from the ACLU Voting Rights Project and the ACLU of Kansas, obtained a major victory and additional sanctions in voting rights litigation against Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, one of the most important voting trials of the 21st century so far.

• #1 law firm for international pro bono work, 2021—American Lawyer
• Dealmaker of the Year, 2022—American Lawyer
• Most Innovative Legal Practitioner in North America, 2021—Financial Times
• Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services, 2021 – Great Place To Work 
• Diversity Leader, 2022—Profiles in Diversity Journal