Dechert LLP

Dechert LLP
Name	Dechert LLP
Founded	0 1875
Founder	Wayne P. Dechert
Headquarters	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Num offices	21
Num attorneys	~1,000
Practice areas	Corporate law, Financial services, Litigation, Real estate, Tax law
Website	https://www.dechert.com/

Dechert LLP is a global law firm with a significant presence in major financial and political centers. Founded in Philadelphia in the late 19th century, it has evolved into a prominent advisor to corporations, financial institutions, and sovereign states. The firm is particularly noted for its deep expertise in complex litigation, financial services regulation, and private equity transactions. Its attorneys frequently handle high-stakes matters across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

History

The firm traces its origins to 1875 when Wayne P. Dechert began practicing law in Philadelphia. For much of its early history, it operated as a regional firm known as Dechert Price & Rhoads, building a strong reputation in corporate law and litigation. A pivotal period of international expansion began in the late 20th century, marked by the opening of an office in London in 1979. Subsequent strategic mergers, such as with the Paris-based firm Gide Loyrette Nouel's London office in 2000 and the absorption of the Boston firm Bingham Dana in 2005, significantly bolstered its global capabilities. This transformed the firm from its Pennsylvania roots into a transatlantic and later worldwide practice.

Practice areas

Dechert is organized around several core practice groups renowned for handling sophisticated legal challenges. Its financial services group is a market leader, advising on regulatory compliance, enforcement actions, and fund formation for entities like Blackstone and Carlyle Group. The complex litigation and white-collar defense practice frequently appears before the Supreme Court of the United States and various international tribunals. Other key areas include a robust private equity and mergers & acquisitions practice, a highly regarded international arbitration team, and specialized groups in intellectual property, real estate, and tax law. The firm's lawyers often navigate intersecting issues of sanctions, anti-money laundering laws, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Notable cases and clients

The firm's attorneys have been counsel in numerous landmark legal matters. It represented the Republic of Argentina in its historic debt restructuring following its 2001 default. In high-profile litigation, Dechert defended BP in multidistrict litigation related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and has acted for GlaxoSmithKline in significant product liability cases. The firm's white-collar team has advised individuals and corporations in investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Serious Fraud Office in the United Kingdom. Other notable clients have included Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, and sovereign wealth funds like the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

Offices

Dechert operates 21 offices across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Its headquarters remain in Philadelphia, with other major U.S. offices in New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Silicon Valley. In Europe, key locations include London, Paris, Brussels, Dublin, and Munich. The firm maintains a strategic presence in Asia with offices in Hong Kong and Beijing, and in the Middle East with locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This network facilitates its representation of clients in cross-border transactions and disputes.

Leadership and structure

Dechert is structured as a limited liability partnership governed by a policy committee. The firm's Chairperson, currently Andrew J. Levander, is based in New York City and provides strategic direction. Day-to-day management is overseen by a Chief Executive Officer, with practice and industry group chairs leading specific legal disciplines. The firm emphasizes a sector-focused approach, organizing lawyers around industries such as private equity, financial services, and life sciences. This structure is designed to foster deep client relationships and interdisciplinary collaboration across its international offices.

Recognition and rankings

Dechert consistently ranks highly in major legal industry publications. It is regularly placed in the top tiers of Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 for practices including investment funds, white-collar crime, and international arbitration. The firm's lawyers are frequently listed among leading practitioners in guides like Best Lawyers in America and Who's Who Legal. Dechert has also received recognition from American Lawyer in its Am Law 100 and Pro Bono surveys, reflecting both its financial performance and its commitment to public service work.

Category:Law firms of the United States Category:Companies based in Philadelphia Category:1875 establishments in Pennsylvania