Dechert Transaction Recognized with Several Awards

Dechert LLP’s representation of Wells Fargo in relation to its purchase of more than 250 commercial real estate loans from GE Capital Real Estate valued at US$9 billion has been named Private Equity Deal of the Year in the IFLR Americas Awards. The loans, which were located mainly in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, formed part of an overall transaction valued at approximately US$23 billion. The IFLR awards are based solely on legal innovation and reward deals that break new legal ground and set market precedents.

Dechert’s work on the transaction, which made headline news around the world, had already picked up several other honors. Most recently, it was included in the ALM-owned Real Estate Forum’s annual “Deals & Dealmakers” spotlight on the year’s most significant deals. It had previously won a “Commended” rating in the Financial Times’ North America Innovative Lawyers 2015 report and a spot as a finalist in the M&A Advisor Awards 2015 in the real estate and M&A categories.

The transaction was also shortlisted for three awards in the 8th Annual International M&A Awards, a contest run by The M&A Advisor, including Cross-border M&A Deal of the Year (over US$5 billion); US-Europe Deal of the Year; and Real Estate Deal of the Year (over US$10 billion).

The Dechert team advising Wells Fargo on the acquisition was led by Richard Jones, chair of the firm's finance & real estate group. The other lead partners were San Francisco partners David Linder and Kahlil Yearwood and London partner Jeremy Trinder. The cross-border team included partners, counsel and associates from the Finance & Real Estate, Corporate, Tax and Labor & Employment groups.

Additionally, the firm’s finance and real estate group has been shortlisted by Chambers USA Awards for Excellence 2016 in the Real Estate category. The awards honor law firms and individual lawyers across the U.S. for their pre-eminence in key practice areas and notable achievements over the past 12 months including outstanding work, impressive strategic growth and excellence in client service. Winners will be announced at the Chambers USA Awards Ceremony at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York on Thursday, May 26.

About Dechert

Dechert is a global specialist law firm focused on sectors with the greatest complexities and highest regulatory demands. We deliver practical commercial insight and judgment to our clients' most important matters. Nothing stands in the way of giving clients the best of the firm’s entrepreneurial energy and seamless collaboration in a way that is distinctively Dechert.