Dechert LLP
HeadquartersPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania[1]
No. of offices22[2]
OfficesGlobal
No. of attorneysapproximately 1000 (2017)
Major practice areasGeneral practice
Key peopleCEO Henry Nassau,
Chairman Andrew J. Levander
RevenueIncrease US$1.3 billion (2021)[3]
Profit per equity partnerIncrease US$4.2 million (2021)
Date founded1875
FounderWayne MacVeagh and George Tucker Bispham [4]
Company typeLimited liability partnership
Websitedechert.com

Dechert LLP (/ˈdɛkərt/) is an American multinational law firm of more than 900 lawyers[5] with practices in corporate and securities, complex litigation, finance and real estate, financial services, asset management, and private equity.[6] In 2021, the firm raised revenues by 25%, with a total of $1.3 billion.[3] On the 2022 Global 200 survey, Dechert ranked as the 41st highest grossing law firm in the world.[7]

History

The firm's first predecessor, MacVeagh & Bispham, was formed in 1875 by Wayne MacVeagh and George Tucker Bispham.[4] MacVeagh previously served as United States Ambassador to Turkey, and Bispham authored the treatise "Principles of Equity," which was considered the definitive work on the subject at the time.[8][9] MacVeagh went on to become United States Attorney General under President James Garfield, and then United States Ambassador to Italy in 1893.[8] Bispham went on to become a professor at University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1884.[10]

Over the next few decades, MacVeagh & Bispham and its successor represented a number of banks, railroads, insurance companies, and coal companies.[11]

MacVeagh & Bispham's successor merged with another Philadelphia law firm, Dechert, Smith & Clark, in 1942. After several more name changes, the firm was known as Dechert Price & Rhoads for many years, beginning in 1962. The firm shortened its name to Dechert in 2000.[12] By the early 2000s, the firm included about 700 lawyers in 12 worldwide offices.[11][13]

In the 2018 AmLaw Global 200 survey, Dechert ranked as the 43rd highest-grossing law firm in the world.[14] In the same year, Dechert reached a settlement with two former staffers over claims that it discriminated against certain staff members because of their sex and age.[15][16] [17] Two former payroll staffers at Dechert filed a complaint against Dechert in 2017, claiming they experienced a culture of bias against older and/or female employees[18][19] at the firm[20] that led to their firing in 2016.[18] They also alleged there was a "boys club"[21][22] at the firm that gave beneficial treatment[19] to younger male employees.[20] Previously, on the eve of trial, the law firm and former associate Ariel Ayanna reached an eleventh-hour deal in[23] a ‘Macho culture' retaliation case[24][25] The attorney had claimed big-league firm Dechert fired him to get back at him for taking time off to care for his mentally ill wife and their newborn, the National Law Journal reported.[26]

Financial Times ranked Dechert in the Top 10 Most Innovative Law Firms in 2019.[27] In 2021, Dechert ranked 5th for the same recognition.[28]

The UK Dechert unit was sued by former partner Monica Gogn for workplace discrimination due to race and sex. In 2020, an employment tribunal filing document stated that the proceedings leveled against "Dechert LLP & Others" were "dismissed following a withdrawal of the claim by the claimant".[29] Dechert and an administrative services provider for the firm agreed in 2021 to settle claims by a former site manager in Washington D.C. that he was subjected to discrimination and retaliation because he had a stroke, federal court records show.[30]

In August 2022, Dechert's UK unit agreed to pay £20 Million to a former client for compensation for damages caused by its former UK partner and white-collar crime head Neil Gerrard.[31][32][33] It comes after a decade-long proceeding that resulted in the High Court finding in May 2022 that Dechert, its former white-collar crime head Gerrard, and the Serious Fraud Office had committed acts of wrongdoing[34][35][36] in their dealings with the law firm's then-client Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation(ENRC). London's High Court found that Dechert and Gerrard – who was ‘obsessed with making money'[37] and ‘lost any real sense of objectivity, proportion or indeed loyalty to his client [38][39][40][41] had acted deliberately, or at least recklessly.[42][43] Judge also ruled Neil Gerrard committed ‘gross and knowing breach of duty'[44] as a solicitor by, among other things, disclosing confidential and privileged information to the UK watchdog, the SFO, and leaking to the media[45] confidential documents[46] of his client Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation PLC (ENRC).[47][48][49][50][51] He concluded in his judgment in 2022 that Gerrard was a "highly unreliable and at times dishonest witness" who was "plainly lying" about his contacts with the SFO.[52] The judge found senior SFO officials breached their duties[53][54] by holding a series of unauthorized meetings with Gerrard in which they received information that was plainly against former Dechert's client interests in what the judge described as a case of bad faith opportunism.[45][55][56][57] Indeed, though he denied it at trial, Gerrard allegedly referred to billing in the case as ‘rape mode'.[58][59][60] The law firm now faces costs upwards of $50 million. Dechert faces two more UK trials[61][62][63] and two US lawsuits[62][64] related to Gerrard. One lawsuit involves a claim under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, for its alleged role in an international ‘hack and dump scheme', which it denies [65][66][67][68][69] Media reported that regulators are probing the firm.[70] The U.K.'s SRA, the legal watchdog, has received several complaints.[71][72]

The firm's profitability increased significantly in 2021,[73] but fell in 2022.[74] The firm ultimately placed 36th on The American Lawyer's 2023 Am Law 200 ranking, based on its 2022 revenue.[7] In 2023 Dechert announced that it would cut 5% of its global workforce due to "faltering demand", as several other large law firms publicly confirmed cuts.[75][76]

Dechert's headquarters moved to Philadelphia's Cira Centre in 2005.

Pro bono activities

Dechert has been recognized among the top 10 U.S. law firms for pro bono work in The American Lawyer's Pro Bono Survey, an annual report that rates the nation's 200 highest-grossing law firms based on their level of pro bono activity.[77] The report confirmed that it remained the top law firm for international pro bono work.[78] In August 2014, Dechert received the American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award.[79]

In 2020, Dechert received the ABA Business Law Section National Public Service Award.[80] In 2021, the firm was rated #1 for international pro bono work by The American Lawyer.[81]

Notable lawyers and alumni

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Business Name History: Dechert LLP," Pennsylvania Department of State
  2. ↑ "Locations".
  3. 1 2 Packel, Dan (January 31, 2022). "Dechert Grew Revenue 25%, Profits 50% in 'One for the History Books' | The American Lawyer". www.law.com.
  4. 1 2 Dalton, Brian (2007). Vault Guide to the Top New York Law Firms. Vault Inc. ISBN 9781581315004.
  5. ↑ "Dechert LLP". www.law.com. Retrieved Jul 21, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Services". www.dechert.com. Retrieved Jul 21, 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Dechert LLP". Law.com. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  8. 1 2 "Isaac Wayne MacVeagh - People - Department History - Office of the Historian". history.state.gov.
  9. ↑ Draper Lewis, Wm (1906). "George Tucker Bispham". The American Law Register. 54 (12): 718–725. JSTOR 3307221.
  10. ↑ Lewis, Wm. Draper (1906). "George Tucker Bispham". The American Law Register. 54 (12): 718–725. JSTOR 3307221.
  11. 1 2 "Dechert | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  12. ↑ "History".
  13. ↑ Aronson, Bruce (2007). "Elite Law Firm Mergers and Reputational Competition". Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law.
  14. ↑ "The Global 200, Ranked by Revenue | The American Lawyer".
  15. ↑ "Dechert Settles Female Staffers' Sex Discrimination Case". www.law.com. March 20, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Dechert Settles Female Staffers' Sex Discrimination Case". www.law360.com. March 20, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Dechert Settles Female Staffers' Sex Discrimination Case". finance.yahoo.com. March 20, 2018.
  18. 1 2 "Ex-Staffers Sue Dechert Alleging Age, Sex Bias". finance.yahoo.com. November 9, 2017.
  19. 1 2 "Biglaw Firm Uses Technology As A Defense In Discrimination Case". abovethelaw.com. January 31, 2018.
  20. 1 2 "Dechert settles discrimination suit by 2 former payroll managers". www.abajournal.com. March 23, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Ex-Staffers Sue Dechert Alleging Age, Sex Bias". finance.yahoo.com. November 9, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Tweet by PALaw360". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  23. ↑ "Dechert Avoids Trial Over Ex-Atty's 'Macho Culture' Claims". www.law360.com. February 12, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Ayanna v. Dechert: Male Attorney Sues Law Firm for Macho Culture". finance.yahoo.com. December 17, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Dechert and Former Associate Settle 'Macho Culture' Retaliation Case". www.law.com. February 11, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Corporate Lawyer Says He Got Axed For Not Conforming To Male Stereotypes". www.businessinsider.com. Oct 19, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Law firm leaders force pace of change to stay ahead". Financial Times. December 9, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Digital delivery from the daily grind for younger lawyers". Financial Times. December 9, 2021.
  29. ↑ "The Law's Gender Problem". www.bywire.news. October 2, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Dechert Settles Disability Bias Suit by Ex-Site Manager in D.C." news.bloomberglaw.com. June 26, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Damning Gerrard ruling sent to SRA". www.lawgazette.co.uk. 15 August 2022.
  32. ↑ "Dechert agrees to pay former client £20m". RollOnFriday. 5 August 2022.
  33. ↑ "Biglaw Firm About to Write a $20 Million Check to Their Former Client". Above the Law. 9 August 2022.
  34. ↑ "SRA Enters Fold Following Damning ENRC Judgment Against Dechert Gerrard". Law.com International Edition. 6 July 2022.
  35. ↑ "Law firm Dechert, SFO criticized in ENRC case ruling". Compliance Week. 1 Jun 2022.
  36. ↑ "Ex-Dechert partner committed deliberate acts of wrongdoing, court finds". RollOnFriday. 20 May 2022.
  37. ↑ "ENRC v Dechert judgment" (PDF). judiciary.uk. 16 May 2022.
  38. ↑ "Biglaw Firm About to Write a $20 Million Check to Their Former Client". Above the Law. 9 August 2022.
  39. ↑ "City Partner put making money before clients, high court rules". Legal Futures. 18 May 2022.
  40. ↑ "ENRC v Dechert judgment" (PDF). Judiciary UK. 16 May 2022.
  41. ↑ Rubino, Kathryn (2023-03-01). "Biglaw Firm Still Fighting Allegations Of Impropriety On Part Of Former Partner". Above the Law. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  42. ↑ Hamilton, Jamie (2022-05-20). "Ex-Dechert partner committed deliberate acts of wrongdoing, court finds". RollOnFriday. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  43. ↑ Crosby, Christopher (2022-05-16). "Lies, Leaks and Scares: Five Damning Finds From ENRC's Win". Law360. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  44. ↑ "ENRC v Dechert judgment" (PDF). Judiciary UK. 16 May 2022.
  45. 1 2 "London High Court Judge Finds Former Dechert Lawyer Breached Duty to ENRC". Reuters. 16 May 2022.
  46. ↑ "Dechert ex-partner leaked to press and 'plainly lied' in court, judge finds". Law Gazette. 16 May 2022.
  47. ↑ "Dechert ex-partner leaked to press and 'plainly lied' in court – judge". Law Gazette. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  48. ↑ "Former Dechert partner slammed for leaking to press about his own client". Legal Cheek. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  49. ↑ "Ex-Dechert solicitor leaked ENRC's confidential documents to media, London judge rules". City AM. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  50. ↑ "A Big Law partner betrayed his client by leaking its problems to the press, a UK judge found". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  51. ↑ "Dechert's ENRC UK Court Defeat: How Bad Could it Get For the Law Firm?". Law.com International. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  52. ↑ "A Big Law partner betrayed his client by leaking its problems to the press, a UK judge found. During his trial, 2 witnesses said he called it 'rape mode.'". businessinsider.com. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  53. ↑ "Serious breach piles pressure on embattled SFO". The Telegraph. 16 May 2022.
  54. ↑ "ENRC seeks £21mn in legal costs from SFO and Dechert in dispute over fraud probe". Financial Times. 6 March 2023.
  55. ↑ "Consider mediation, London judge tells Kazakh miner ENRC, Dechert and Fraud Office". Euronews. 5 August 2022.
  56. ↑ "ENRC v Dechert judgment" (PDF). Judiciary UK. 16 May 2022.
  57. ↑ "SFO Resumes Fight With ENRC In High-Stakes Causation Trial". Law360. 3 March 2023.
  58. ↑ Rubino, Kathryn (2022-08-01). "Biglaw Firm About To Write A $20 Million+ Check To Their Former Client". Above the Law. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  59. ↑ "Ex-City partner 'turned' on client to boost workload, court hears". Law Gazette. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  60. ↑ Ames, Jonathan. "Lawyer Neil Gerrard 'leaked ENRC secrets to inquiry'". The Times. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  61. ↑ "Dechert Faces 3 UK Trials and 2 US Lawsuits Stemming from Representations Led by 1 Partner". ABA Journal. 1 March 2023.
  62. 1 2 "RICO Suit Says Dechert Was Willfully Blind to Partner Accused of Conspiring to Hack Opponent's Emails". ABA Journal. 17 October 2022.
  63. ↑ "Dechert in court over allegations of leaks and wrongdoing". Law Gazette. 18 January 2023.
  64. ↑ "Dechert Faces New Hack-and-Smear Suit, Plaintiff is Fired Wall Street Journal Reporter". ABA Journal. 18 October 2022.
  65. ↑ Skye Witley. "Dechert's Alleged Hacks Draw Uncommon Civil Racketeering Claims". Bloomberg Law. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  66. ↑ Kathryn Rubino. "Biglaw Firm Still Fighting Allegations Of Impropriety On Part Of Former Partner". Above the Law. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  67. ↑ Raphael Satter. "Aviation executive sues law firm Dechert, others over hacking claims". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  68. ↑ Debra Cassens Weiss. "Dechert was 'willfully blind' to partner accused of conspiring to hack opponent's emails, RICO suit says". ABA Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  69. ↑ "Dechert Lawyer Neil Gerrard's RICO Litigation Comes With A Staggering Price Tag". Above the Law. March 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  70. ↑ "Hacked emails and torture claims: how top lawyer Neil Gerrard became engulfed in serious allegations". Financial Times. 2022-01-19. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  71. ↑ Tobin, Sam (2022-08-15). "Damning Gerrard ruling sent to SRA". Law Gazette. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  72. ↑ Crump, Richard (2022-07-06). "SRA Takes Steps Toward Probing Dechert Over ENRC Case". Law360. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  73. ↑ "Dechert Grew Revenue 25%, Profits 50% in 'One for the History Books'". The American Lawyer. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  74. ↑ "Dechert Follows 50% Profit Increase With 14% Drop, Epitomizing Big Law Business Cycle". The Legal Intelligencer. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  75. ↑ Thomas, David (2023-05-10). "Dechert is latest law firm to trim lawyers amid faltering demand". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  76. ↑ Merken, Sara (2023-08-01). "Cuts spread at US law firms as Katten announces layoffs, postpones start dates". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  77. ↑ "The 2018 Pro Bono Scorecard | The American Lawyer". www.law.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  78. ↑ effreys, Brenda Sapino (27 June 2018). "Big Law Acted on Impulse in Outpouring of Pro Bono Effort | The American Lawyer". www.law.com. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  79. ↑ "Past Recipients". www.americanbar.org. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  80. ↑ "Business Law Section honors four lawyers, law firm with awards". American Bar Association. October 8, 2020.
  81. ↑ "The 2021 Pro Bono Scorecard: International Rankings | The American Lawyer". www.law.com. June 28, 2021.
  82. ↑ "Harvey Bartle III | Eastern District of Pennsylvania | United States District Court". www.paed.uscourts.gov. Retrieved Jul 21, 2022.
  83. ↑ Fowler, Glenn (Jan 16, 1990). "Joseph S. Clark Is Dead at 88; Ex-Mayor and Reformist Senator". Retrieved Jul 21, 2022 – via NYTimes.com.
  84. ↑ "Bloomberg Industry Group". www.bloombergindustry.com. Retrieved Jul 21, 2022.
  85. ↑ "Attorney General Sessions Welcomes Steven Engel As Assistant Attorney General for the Office Of Legal Counsel". www.justice.gov. Nov 7, 2017. Retrieved Jul 21, 2022.
  86. ↑ "Biographies". www.defense.gov. Retrieved Jul 21, 2022.
  87. ↑ Day, Elizabeth (Jul 30, 2016). "Miriam González Durántez on sexism, Brexit and what she cooked Nick Clegg on that 'devastating' night of political defeat". Retrieved Jul 21, 2022 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  88. ↑ "Paul G. Haaga, Jr". www.npr.org. Retrieved Jul 21, 2022.
  89. ↑ "Dechert Lures Ex-Prosecutor David Kelley From Cahill". The American Lawyer. Retrieved Jul 21, 2022.
  90. ↑ "President Obama Announces Intent to Nominate Cheryl Ann Krause to Serve on the United States Court of Appeals". obamawhitehouse.archives.gov. Feb 5, 2014. Retrieved Jul 21, 2022.
  91. ↑ M. Leibovich. "In the Spotlight And on the Spot," Washington Post, October 23, 2005
  92. ↑ Slater, Dan (May 21, 2008). "A Q&A With Goodfellas Actor (and Dechert Lawyer) Ed McDonald". Retrieved Jul 21, 2022 – via www.wsj.com.
  93. ↑ "Judge Profile: Mary A. McLaughlin," The Legal Intelligencer
  94. ↑ "Lisa Scottoline: A Legal Thriller!," Penn Law Journal, Spring 2001
  95. ↑ "Norma Levy Shapiro". Jewish Women's Archive. Retrieved Jul 21, 2022.
  96. ↑ ""An Oral History of Arlen Specter," Philadelphia Magazine, November 30, 2007". Retrieved Jul 21, 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.