Dech out your resume with this Philly big shot, boasting enviable global transactional and white-collar remits.
Dechert Lateral Profile 2024
Home to a number of landmarks, Philadelphia’s a city teeming with history. Think the Independence Hall (where America’s Founding Fathers spent hours devising the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution), the Liberty Bell (which chimed out the announcement of the Declaration of Independence in 1776), and – fast forward a century – the very roots that formed modern-day Dechert. Of course, the firm’s hometown was a pull factor for many, but it was its expansion further afield that kept juniors: “I knew I wanted to work in Philly, but I wanted to work across multiple teams in New York and London.” The firm has ten offices across the US, including Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and DC. A further 10 international offices make up the firm’s global reach, garnering a tidy 44 rankings from Chambers Global.
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Why did you join your firm? Associates say…
“A great mix between hard work, intelligence, and legal experience.”
“The leadership actually cares about associates as people outside of work. The firm values quality of work over sheer billable hours. The culture of the firm is welcome of innovation rather than stuck in the past.”
“Everyone was very nice, welcoming and patient/willing to take the time to train me.”
International & Secondment Opportunities
Common secondment destinations: Paris and London
Overseas career development opportunities (view from the firm): Associates are welcome to participate in secondments on a needs basis. Additionally, the firm honors associates working from other Dechert offices on a case-by-case basis.
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
4 |
1.68 : 1 |
71% |
||
|
partners made in 2023 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
69% |
63% |
79% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
The view from the firm: Critical Skills Institute including programs focused on communication, client relations, management and leadership; Multi-day immersive business skills training program for mid-level associates at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania; Future Leaders Program and Business Plan Advisers for senior associates; Practice Group Training in Substantive Law; In-house executive coach; Firmwide Mentoring program; Innovation Certificate Program; Dechert Speaker’s Society; Global Associates Committee; Associate Ambassador Program; Diverse Associates Symposium; Actionable Allyship and Inclusive Leadership Training; Nurturing Excellence and Expertise for Tomorrow for senior female associates.
Hours & Compensation
|
1,950 |
11.5 |
49.7 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
53% |
76% |
76% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
said the benefits package makes the workload worthwhile |
found the bonus allocation fair and transparent |
Salaries
1st year: $225,000
2nd year: $235,000
3rd year: $260,000
4th year: $310,000
5th year: $365,000
6th year: $390,000
7th year: $420,000
8th year: $435,000
Is Dechert the right firm for you?
|
86% |
89% |
86% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
felt comfortable being themselves at work |
The view from the firm: Dechert offers lawyers the opportunity to work on some of the most interesting legal matters for leading corporations and financial firms. Our approach is to judiciously present our people with assignments that draw out their strengths and stretch their boundaries. As a top firm for financial services and high-stakes litigation, our clients are leaders in their industries. We advise a broad range of financial institutions and private investors on complex transactional and regulatory matters, as well as many of the world’s leading global corporations and other entities on a broad array of issues and disputes.
We pursue our clients’ goals with multidisciplinary global practice teams, led by some of the most acclaimed lawyers in their fields. Excellence is our watchword. Accordingly, we recruit lawyers who want to challenge themselves through complex, cutting-edge legal work in a highly collaborative environment that provides extensive training and mentorship and offers its lawyers the experiences needed to become experts in their field. At Dechert, our attorneys are trusted and empowered to do their very best work.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“Easy-going, laidback attitude, brilliant colleagues and people who enjoy having fun when not working.”
“The support that women get. The people at my firm are amazing.”
“Everyone is very respectful, and the firm both allows and respects your boundaries. People are also friendly and supportive.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
69% |
26% |
33% |
||
|
reported diverse staffing on teams/cases/matters |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: At Dechert, diversity is integral to our ethos. The firm respects and values everyone’s unique voice, fostering an environment that empowers individuals from diverse backgrounds to contribute their utmost. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is evident in our leadership, with 50% of our Policy Committee comprising of women or diverse partners, and 45% of office managing partners being women or diverse. The firm looks forward to cultivating the next generation of attorneys, as 78% of our 2023 U.S. Fall associate class were women or diverse.
Key Initiatives include:
- Dechert has earned Mansfield “Plus” Certification for the fifth year in a row, demonstrating our commitment to diversifying the legal industry. In addition to being Certified Plus in the U.S., Dechert has also achieved Mansfield Certified Plus status in the UK.
- The firm’s Global Women’s Initiative (GWI) empowers women by providing opportunities for their development, advancement, and leadership. The GWI supports Local Women Liaisons, who lead local office women's initiatives, and the Sponsorship and Sustained Support Program, which helps women navigate the path to partnership.
- At Dechert, Practice Group Leaders identify high-profile partners to oversee diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within each practice group as part of our Diversity Liaison Partners (DLPs) program. DLPs participate in a rigorous training program and meet regularly with senior members of the DEI team to exchange valuable information and insights on diverse and women attorneys. In their roles, DLPs work to ensure there are opportunities for diverse individuals and women to be mentored and sponsored, advised on their professional development, and promoted internally and externally to the firm and clients.
During our annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Week, themed "Together We Rise," we invited our colleagues to focus on how our firm unites as a community and to celebrate the diversity that genuinely strengthens us. We organized a variety of events and activities reflecting our commitment to these values. These included a donation drive for non-perishable food items and books to address food insecurity and enhance literacy in our local communities. We also arranged outings to nearby outdoor parks or paths to foster stronger community bonds.
Pro Bono
|
106 |
98% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: Freedom Now (advocating for prisoners of conscience); Legal Aid Society of New York and New York Legal Assistance Group (public benefits); Beirut Bar Association; Kids in Need of Defense (immigration); Public Interest Law Center and Housing Equality Center of Philadelphia (housing).
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: Dechert is committed to taking steps to mitigate the carbon emissions impact of the firm’s global footprint—we remain steadfast in our mission to protect the environment. Our multi-pronged approach includes:
- Energy conservation through reduced consumption, such as by lighting, HVAC and IT infrastructure.
- Waste and pollution prevention through increased recycling, separation of waste streams, incorporation of eco-friendly products, and employee awareness and participation.
- Reduction of supply chain impacts.
Some of our global offices have implemented their own sustainability initiatives. Although these initiatives are contingent upon the buildings’ landlords and local regulations, our office administration remains focused on widespread adoption of sound sustainability practices:
- Since 2017, Dechert’s New York office has run an active Green Team comprised of partners, associates, and business service professionals. The office has made several environmentally conscious decisions, including committing to a sustainability pledge, which implemented an office-wide recycling program and resulted in a reduction of individual waste production and the office’s annual electricity usage.
- In 2019, the London office established an environmental committee to discuss, among other things, promoting all aspects of recycling. This committee helped the London office achieve ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management system in 2020, and ISO 50001 certification for its energy management system in 2022, both of which are maintained annually.
Contact
Recruitment contact: Marelys Sosa, Senior Lateral Recruiting Manager
recruiting@dechertcareers.com
+1 212 649 8793