What makes Dechert LLP stand out in the crowded field of global law firms? Dechert LLP, with roots dating back to 1875, has grown into a powerhouse in the legal world. From representing major banks and railroads in its early days to advising top global asset management firms today, Dechert's journey is marked by consistent excellence. The firm operates in 21 locations worldwide, offering expertise in areas like corporate law, litigation, and real estate finance. Dechert's commitment to pro bono work, diversity, and innovation further sets it apart. Recognized for its top-tier rankings and significant revenue growth, Dechert continues to lead and innovate in the legal industry.
Founding and Early History
Dechert LLP has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. Let's explore its origins and early successes.
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Dechert's first predecessor, MacVeagh & Bispham, was founded in 1875 by Wayne MacVeagh and George Tucker Bispham. MacVeagh served as the United States Ambassador to Turkey, while Bispham authored the treatise "Principles of Equity."
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MacVeagh & Bispham quickly gained prominence by representing major banks, railroads, insurance companies, and coal companies. This early success set the stage for the firm's future growth and diversification.
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Over the years, the firm underwent several name changes. In 1942, MacVeagh & Bispham merged with Dechert, Smith & Clark. The firm was later known as Dechert Price & Rhoads from 1962 to 2000, before finally shortening its name to Dechert in 2000.
Global Expansion and Client Base
Dechert's growth didn't stop at its early successes. The firm expanded globally and built a diverse client base.
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By the early 2000s, Dechert had expanded to include about 700 lawyers in 12 worldwide offices. Today, the firm operates from 21 locations globally, with offices in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
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Dechert's client base is diverse and includes corporations, financial institutions, sovereign states, quasi-sovereign entities, and private and high-net-worth individuals. The firm has provided services to 40 companies from the "Fortune 100" list and represents over 200 private equity and investment firms.
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Dechert advises all 10 of the top 10 global asset management firms and 75% of the top 100 global private debt firms, as identified by PDI. This expertise in asset management underscores the firm's commitment to serving the financial sector.
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The firm represents over 200 private equity and investment firms, demonstrating its extensive experience in this field. This expertise is crucial for clients navigating complex transactions and regulatory matters.
Commitment to Pro Bono and Diversity
Dechert is not just about business; it also has a strong commitment to pro bono work and diversity.
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Dechert has a longstanding tradition of providing pro bono legal services to individuals and organizations who cannot otherwise afford legal counsel. The firm's commitment to pro bono work is widely acknowledged as setting the standard for international law firms.
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Dechert is committed to ensuring that the firm reflects the societies it operates in. The firm has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus status, which recognizes law firms with at least 30% diverse lawyer representation in leadership roles and committees.
Technology and Innovation
In the modern legal landscape, technology and innovation are crucial. Dechert leverages these to enhance its services.
- Technology and innovation are central to Dechert's future development. The firm leverages innovations in project management, eDiscovery, and client-specific extranets to enhance its operations and client services.
Global Rankings and Revenue Growth
Dechert's excellence is recognized globally, and its financial growth is impressive.
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Dechert is consistently ranked among the top law firms globally. In 2023, the firm ranked 45th in the Global 200 survey, and in 2024, it ranked 39th on The American Lawyer's Am Law 200 ranking.
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In 2021, Dechert raised revenues by 25%, reaching a total of $1.3 billion. This significant growth underscores the firm's ability to adapt and thrive in a dynamic legal market.
Diverse Practice Areas
Dechert offers a wide range of legal services, making it a one-stop shop for many clients.
- Dechert advises on a wide range of practice areas, including corporate and securities, complex litigation, finance, real estate, financial services, asset management, and private equity. The firm's diverse practice areas enable it to provide comprehensive legal solutions to its clients.
Chambers USA and The Legal 500 Recognition
Dechert's expertise is recognized by leading legal directories.
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Chambers USA 2023 ranks Dechert in 45 practice areas, including new rankings in Nationwide Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation. The firm has achieved Band 1 rankings in several practice areas, such as Nationwide Capital Markets: Securitization: CLOs and Nationwide Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded.
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The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 recognizes 21 Dechert practices and 39 lawyers. The firm is highlighted for its work on sustainable finance, including green bonds and sustainable investment products, as well as its expertise in the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation.
Litigation and Intellectual Property Expertise
Dechert excels in litigation and intellectual property, two critical areas of law.
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Dechert has a strong litigation practice, with expertise in white-collar crime and government investigations. The firm has achieved top-tier rankings in Dispute Resolution: Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense (individuals).
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Dechert has top-tier rankings in Intellectual Property: Patents: Litigation (full coverage) and US Non-Contentious Tax. The firm's intellectual property practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in this complex area of law.
Cyber Law, Real Estate, and Product Liability
Dechert's expertise extends to emerging areas like cyber law and traditional areas like real estate and product liability.
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Dechert has improved rankings in Cyber Law Including Data Privacy, Fintech, and Real Estate: Finance. The firm's expertise in these areas is crucial for clients navigating the complexities of digital law.
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Dechert has achieved new rankings in North Carolina Real Estate: Finance and Pennsylvania Real Estate: Finance. The firm's real estate finance practice is highly regarded, reflecting its extensive experience in this field.
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Dechert has top-tier rankings in Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite and Product Liability & Mass Torts: Toxic Torts. The firm's product liability practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in handling complex product-related cases.
Corporate/M&A and Antitrust
Dechert's corporate and antitrust practices are among the best in the industry.
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Dechert has achieved Band 1 rankings in Nationwide Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded and New York Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded. The firm's corporate/M&A practice is highly regarded, reflecting its extensive experience in handling complex corporate transactions.
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Dechert has achieved top-tier rankings in Pennsylvania Antitrust. The firm's antitrust practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in handling complex antitrust cases.
Tax, International Arbitration, and Trade
Dechert's expertise in tax, arbitration, and trade law is widely recognized.
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Dechert has achieved top-tier rankings in Pennsylvania Tax. The firm's tax practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in handling complex tax-related matters.
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Dechert has achieved top-tier rankings in International Arbitration: Enforcement. The firm's international arbitration practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in handling complex international arbitration cases.
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Dechert has achieved top-tier rankings in International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions. The firm's international trade practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in handling complex international trade-related matters.
General Commercial Litigation and Employee Benefits
Dechert's litigation and employee benefits practices are also top-notch.
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Dechert has achieved top-tier rankings in Litigation: General Commercial: Highly Regarded. The firm's litigation practice is highly regarded, reflecting its extensive experience in handling complex commercial litigation cases.
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Dechert has achieved new rankings in Nationwide Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation. The firm's employee benefits and executive compensation practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in handling complex employee-related matters.
Hedge Funds and Private Equity
Dechert's expertise in hedge funds and private equity is well-recognized.
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Dechert has achieved new rankings in Nationwide Hedge Funds. The firm's hedge funds practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in handling complex hedge fund-related matters.
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Dechert has achieved new rankings in Nationwide Private Equity: Fund Formation. The firm's private equity practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in handling complex private equity-related matters.
White-Collar Crime and Government Investigations
Dechert excels in white-collar crime and government investigations.
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Dechert has achieved top-tier rankings in District of Columbia Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite. The firm's white-collar crime and government investigations practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in handling complex white-collar crime cases.
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Dechert has achieved top-tier rankings in Corporate Crimes & Investigations: The Elite. The firm's corporate crimes and investigations practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in handling complex corporate crimes cases.
Financial Services Regulation and Real Estate Finance
Dechert's financial services and real estate finance practices are highly regarded.
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Dechert has achieved top-tier rankings in Nationwide Financial Services Regulation: Broker Dealer (Compliance & Enforcement). The firm's financial services regulation practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in handling complex financial services-related matters.
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Dechert has achieved new rankings in North Carolina Real Estate: Finance and Pennsylvania Real Estate: Finance. The firm's real estate finance practice is highly regarded, reflecting its extensive experience in this field.
Sustainable Finance and Pro Bono Recognition
Dechert is committed to sustainable finance and pro bono work.
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Dechert is recognized in The Legal 500 Green Guide: EMEA 2024 for its work on sustainable finance, including green bonds and sustainable investment products. The firm's expertise in sustainable finance is highly regarded, reflecting its commitment to environmental sustainability.
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Dechert is consistently recognized for its pro bono commitment. The firm's dedication to providing pro bono legal services is widely acknowledged as setting the standard for international law firms.
Diversity and Influential Lawyers
Dechert's commitment to diversity and its influential lawyers set it apart.
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Dechert has been recognized as a Diversity Leader. The firm's commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in its Mansfield Certification Plus status, which recognizes law firms with at least 30% diverse lawyer representation in leadership roles and committees.
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Dechert lawyers are frequently recognized as Most Influential Lawyers. The firm's lawyers are known for their expertise and influence in the legal industry, reflecting the firm's high standards and excellence.
Appellate Practice and Product Liability
Dechert's appellate practice and product liability department are top-tier.
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Dechert has been recognized on the Appellate Hot List. The firm's appellate practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in handling complex appellate cases.
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Dechert has been recognized as the Product Liability Department of the Year. The firm's product liability practice is highly regarded, reflecting its extensive experience in handling complex product-related cases.
Deal Making and Financial Services
Dechert's deal-making expertise and financial services practice are highly regarded.
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Dechert has been recognized as the Dealmaker of the Year. The firm's deal-making expertise is highly regarded, reflecting its ability to handle complex transactions with ease.
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Dechert has been recognized as the Financial Services Law Firm of the Year (Middle Market). The firm's financial services practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in handling complex financial services-related matters.
International Pro Bono and Labor Relations
Dechert's international pro bono work and labor relations practice are noteworthy.
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Dechert is recognized as the #1 for International Pro Bono. The firm's commitment to providing pro bono legal services globally is widely acknowledged as setting the standard for international law firms.
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Dechert has a dedicated labor relations practice, with a job opening for a Labor Relations Counsel in Atlanta, Georgia. The firm's labor relations practice is highly regarded, reflecting its expertise in handling complex labor-related matters.
Public Defense and Innovation
Dechert's commitment to public defense and innovation in legal services is commendable.
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Dechert has a job opening for Assistant Federal Public Defenders. The firm's commitment to public service is reflected in its pro bono work and its involvement in public defense cases.
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Dechert is committed to innovation in legal services. The firm leverages technology and innovation to enhance its operations and client services, reflecting its forward-thinking approach to the legal industry.
Dechert's Legacy and Future
Dechert LLP stands as a powerhouse in the legal world. From its roots in 1875 to its current global presence, the firm has consistently delivered top-tier legal services. Representing major corporations, financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals, Dechert's diverse practice areas and commitment to excellence set it apart. The firm's dedication to pro bono work and diversity initiatives highlights its role as a socially responsible leader. Recognized for its innovation in legal services, Dechert leverages technology to enhance client experiences. With impressive rankings in various legal directories and a strong focus on sustainable finance, Dechert continues to evolve and adapt. The firm's history, achievements, and forward-thinking approach ensure it remains a key player in the legal industry for years to come. Dechert's legacy is one of growth, innovation, and unwavering commitment to its clients and communities.
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