Dechert LLP - True Picture

Firm profile
Dechert is a global specialist law firm with nearly 1000 lawyers across 20 offices. We have some of the world’s leading lawyers advising on both domestic and cross-border matters. The firm is frequently retained to work on the most challenging transactions and disputes, and prides itself on its ability to deliver premium legal services and sound business judgment to its clients. Dechert lawyers bring to their assignments a focus on quality, responsiveness and value for money. We are driven by one key principle: exceptional client service.

Main areas of work
In London, our lawyers are active in Dechert’s core practice areas of corporate and securities, financial services and investment management, finance and real estate, trials, investigations and securities, which incorporates our white collar and commercial litigation teams. Our clients include corporations, financial institutions, sovereign states, quasi-sovereign entities and private and high-net-worth individuals all over the world. Dechert undertakes work for 40 of the “Fortune 100” companies, and represents more than 200 private equity and investment firms in some capacity. We also advise 9 of the top 10 global asset management firms, and 80% of the top 100 global private debt firms (as identified by PDI).

Training opportunities
We take your training seriously, both before and after you qualify. We have a full, and lively, training programme which covers the whole range of skills you need, from technical legal issues and substantive skills training in each practice area to the Critical Skills Institute, which is focused on leadership, management, communication and client relations. Our trainees undertake six seats of four months each, with international secondment opportunities, providing a truly broad legal foundation. Working closely with partners and associates, and with a small trainee intake, no two trainees’ training contracts will be the same. We are looking for candidates who have a genuine interest in business and our clients, are ambitious and who have a keen sense of building community, both within the workplace and with our clients.

Vacation schemes
We recruit all of our future trainees from our vacation schemes, in winter, spring and summer. Our two-week schemes are designed to give you an idea of what it will be like to be a trainee solicitor at Dechert. Each week you will sit in a different practice group, and you are given real work to do by our lawyers. Exactly what you will do will depend on which practice group you sit in, but it will include research, drafting and attending meetings. You will also attend training sessions on a range of topics, such as legal writing and negotiation. Before you start the scheme, we will ask for your practice area preferences and then try to place you in those groups. You will be allocated a supervisor (an associate or partner) and both a partner and a trainee buddy, but will receive work from people at all levels from across the group. Social events, such as evening activities and dinners, are an important part of the vacation schemes as they enable you to build your relationships with Dechert trainees, associates, and partners.

Other benefits
Life assurance, an employee assistance programme, subsidised gym membership, subsidised on-site café, private medical and dental insurance, annual health assessments, pension scheme with firm contributions, season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme.

Open days and first-year opportunities

Visit our website for a full list of Dechert’s bespoke open days in 2024/25.

University law careers fairs 2023/24
Visit our website for a full list of the careers fairs we will be attending in 2024/25.

Diversity & Inclusion
Dechert’s guiding principles and personal commitments are not simply words written on our website and in our policies — they are something that we all must live by every day. Championing diversity is part of Dechert’s DNA — a culture where respecting and valuing everyone’s voice and creating a shared enjoyment in all we do empowers people from different backgrounds, experiences and points of view to be fully themselves and bring their very best.

The following are just some of the key measures that Dechert has undertaken to improve diversity and inclusion at the firm:

Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Our firm-wide, partner-led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee oversees policies and procedures that support diversity and inclusion. Similarly, the DEI team is responsible for the strategic oversight and implementation of the firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

The London Diversity and Inclusion Committee promotes an inclusive culture amongst all employees and seeks to foster a greater understanding of diverse groups represented in Dechert’s London community. The committee engages with other affinity groups across the firm to advance Dechert’s diversity, equity, and inclusion mission.

Affinity groups

Dechert is home to several affinity groups. Not only do these groups support the development and retention of diverse attorneys, business service professionals, and allies, but they also affect change by identifying and addressing DEI-related issues. Affinity groups contribute to Dechert’s diversity programming, especially heritage month events that celebrate the richness of our different backgrounds, voices, and perspectives. Our affinity groups include:

• Asian Affinity Group
• Black Lawyers Alliance
• Disability Affinity Group
• Family Network
• Global Women’s Initiative
• Greater Middle Eastern Alliance
• Latino Affinity Group
• LGBTQ Affinity Group
• Dechert Heroes (Veterans Affinity Group)


Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Week

Our 2024 DEI Week, themed ‘The Stories that Unite Us,’ was a powerful reminder of why DEI is essential to our firm’s success and culture. Through authentic storytelling and shared experiences, we deepened our understanding of each other and celebrated the rich tapestry of identities that make up our community.

The week’s activities included an engaging panel with our firm co-chairs and other key stakeholders about the firm’s evolution and DEI journey, a video series where Dechert colleagues share their own personal stories of strength and resilience, a film screening of the powerful film “Origin” by Ava Duvernay, virtual networking sessions, and a firmwide effort to curate a list of nearly 100 titles for young readers that celebrate diversity

Diversity Dashboards

To increase transparency, goal setting and follow-through, Dechert designed and launched a diversity dashboard that helps firm leaders see where things are working effectively, and where more attention is needed. The Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and Global Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion meet bi-monthly with practice group diversity liaison partners and practice group administrators to review hours, work quality and assignments.

Partner Diversity Information Card

Dechert recently launched a Partner Diversity Information Card (Info Card) dashboard to increase transparency and monitor the utilization and staffing processes for all U.S. and UK associates. The goal of the Info Card is to provide Billing, Supervising, and Consulting partners with real time data on how their matters are staffed and to remind partners of the importance of being intentional and equitable when selecting their teams. The Info Card includes an administrative interface which alerts partners if the utilization on their matters deviates significantly from the head count of the firm or their practice group and allows firm leadership to monitor and track the utilization of underrepresented populations.