Dechert LLP has been named the “Law Firm of the Year” in the category of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants in rankings released by U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers®. It was the first year for the publications to have the “Law Firm of the Year” designation and only one law firm in each of the 75 nationally ranked legal practice areas received the recognition.

"We are very honored that Best Lawyers and U.S. News selected our team for the inaugural firm award in the area of Mass Tort Litigation and Class Actions,” said Ben Barnett, chair of Dechert’s Mass Torts & Product Liability practice. “This recognition is the result of the hard work and dedication of our entire team in successfully representing our clients in courts nationwide."

The national first-tier rankings will be featured in U.S.News & World Report’s Money issue, on newsstands November 15, 2011. Dechert was ranked nationally as a Tier 1 firm in the following areas:

Antitrust Law
Biotechnology Law
Corporate Compliance Law
Corporate Law
Criminal Defense: White-Collar – Governmental Investigations
Criminal Defense: White-Collar – Litigation
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – Patent
Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Litigation – Securities
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Mutual Funds Law
Private Equity Law
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Real Estate Law
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Securitization and Structured Finance Law
Tax Law
Technology Law
Trademark Law

The U.S.News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a an evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their fields, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process

The national and metropolitan first-tier rankings are featured in the “Best Law Firms” stand-alone publication and online at http://bestlawfirms.usnews.com.