Dechert partner Andrew J. Levander and the firm's Mass Torts and Product Liability (MTPL) Practice were both honored at the Chambers USA awards dinner in New York on Thursday, June 10. Levander, chairman-elect of Dechert, received the individual Award for Excellence in the area of white collar crime and government investigations, while the MTPL received the Award for Excellence for Product Liability. In addition, the firm's Financial Services Practice was one of seven finalists for the Award for Excellence for Investment Funds.

In naming the New York-based Levander the top individual attorney in Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Chambers USA said Levander has "represented a variety of clients in high profile matters," has "one of the most respected white collar defense practices in the country," and "his name is synonymous with success in the most challenging and complex cases." Levander topped seven other nominees in winning the award.

"I am honored to receive this award and privileged to join the ranks of the distinguished attorneys who have received it before me," Levander said. "I share this honor with the superb team of talented colleagues with whom I have the pleasure of working."

Levander has tried more than 40 cases and represented a variety of clients in high-profile matters, including Monster Worldwide, Lehman Brothers' outside directors, and John Thain, former CEO of Merrill Lynch. In a case selected by The New York Law Journal as one of its "Top Cases of 2004," he obtained an acquittal for Michael Rigas on six counts and the dismissal of two counts (the jury deadlocked on the remaining counts) in the five-month criminal trial United States v. Rigas (the Adelphia Communications criminal fraud matter). That victory led the National Law Journal to profile Levander as one of the top 10 litigators in the country.

In announcing the Product Liability award, Chambers USA stated: "whether in advisory matters or the courtroom, Dechert is a force to be reckoned with in product liability matters." Chambers noted the defense verdict the firm obtained for AstraZeneca in the first Seroquel case to go to trial as well as successful Daubert victories in trial and appellate courts. Dechert was selected from a field of five nominees.

Accepting the award on behalf of the group, co-chair Sean P. Wajert thanked the clients who entrusted Dechert with some of their most challenging matters and "thereby give us an opportunity to excel on their behalf."

The firm's MTPL lawyers are renowned for their effectiveness in devising litigation strategy, managing virtual law firms, defeating class certification, managing e-discovery, and prevailing at trial. Dechert has successfully defended clients against individual and mass torts claims in diverse industries and in the most challenging jurisdictions. The firm is on the front lines as counsel for companies confronted with an increasing wave of class action and multi-jurisdictional claims.

"It's particularly gratifying to be recognized two years in a row," said MTPL co-chair Ezra D. Rosenberg. "It reflects the depth and breadth of our practice, and the sustaining contributions of every member of the group: partners, counsel, associates, staff attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff."