Financial Times Recognizes Dechert in European Innovative Lawyers Report
October 05, 2017
Dechert LLP has been ranked three times by the Financial Times in the 2017 “European Innovative Lawyers” report, which combines Financial Times journalism with independent research carried out by specialist researcher RSG Consulting.
Dechert is consistently ranked among the world’s most innovative law firms in FT contests covering North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. This year, more than 1,000 submissions were received from law firms and corporate legal departments in Europe, a record number of entries and 245 more than in 2016.
“Once more, outstanding performance from Dechert lawyers in several practice areas has been recognized by the Financial Times,” said Henry N. Nassau, Dechert’s Chief Executive Officer. “It is an honor to work alongside colleagues who deliver fresh thinking and high-quality service so consistently.”
In the Dispute Resolution category, Dechert won a “Standout” ranking—the highest possible—for an innovative international arbitration carried out on behalf of the Republic of Ecuador. After U.S. oil producer Burlington Resources launched an ICSID arbitration over a dispute about a windfall-profit tax, a team led by Paris-based partner Eduardo Silva Romero, co-chair of Dechert’s international arbitration practice, helped Ecuador lodge a counterclaim, a rarity in investment-treaty arbitration, alleging that Burlington had caused widespread contamination in the Amazonian rainforest, which it sought to hide. In an unprecedented decision, the tribunal held Burlington liable for causing contamination in the soil and groundwater of the Amazon, awarding Ecuador damages of US$41.8 million, plus interest.
The firm also received a “commended” ranking in the same category. When the Republic of Croatia launched an UNCITRAL arbitration against MOL, a Hungarian oil and gas producer, alleging bribery and corruption, a team led by partner Arif Hyder Ali, who also co-chairs the firm’s international arbitration practice, took on a criminal investigatory approach that involved using testimony from a former prime minister of Croatia and ex-Scotland Yard investigators. In December 2016, the tribunal dismissed every claim against MOL.
Additionally, in the report’s New Products and Services category, Dechert was “commended” for World Passport, a financial services package that provides a one-stop shop for registration, marketing and legal compliance when investment firms seek to distribute UCITS or AIF funds in new international public markets. Developed by London-based partner Karen Anderberg and Boston’s Chris Christian, the service includes concise, practical legal information on passporting or registering funds, gaining market entry, and maintaining compliance with local regulations, along with advice on marketing requirements and guidance with websites—all across a wide number of jurisdictions.
Winners of the Financial Times awards were announced at a ceremony at London’s Natural History Museum on October 4.
Read the full Financial Times European Innovative Lawyers 2017 report here.
About Dechert
Dechert is a leading global law firm with a deep bench of experts 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.
Dechert is consistently ranked among the world’s most innovative law firms in FT contests covering North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. This year, more than 1,000 submissions were received from law firms and corporate legal departments in Europe, a record number of entries and 245 more than in 2016.
“Once more, outstanding performance from Dechert lawyers in several practice areas has been recognized by the Financial Times,” said Henry N. Nassau, Dechert’s Chief Executive Officer. “It is an honor to work alongside colleagues who deliver fresh thinking and high-quality service so consistently.”
In the Dispute Resolution category, Dechert won a “Standout” ranking—the highest possible—for an innovative international arbitration carried out on behalf of the Republic of Ecuador. After U.S. oil producer Burlington Resources launched an ICSID arbitration over a dispute about a windfall-profit tax, a team led by Paris-based partner Eduardo Silva Romero, co-chair of Dechert’s international arbitration practice, helped Ecuador lodge a counterclaim, a rarity in investment-treaty arbitration, alleging that Burlington had caused widespread contamination in the Amazonian rainforest, which it sought to hide. In an unprecedented decision, the tribunal held Burlington liable for causing contamination in the soil and groundwater of the Amazon, awarding Ecuador damages of US$41.8 million, plus interest.
The firm also received a “commended” ranking in the same category. When the Republic of Croatia launched an UNCITRAL arbitration against MOL, a Hungarian oil and gas producer, alleging bribery and corruption, a team led by partner Arif Hyder Ali, who also co-chairs the firm’s international arbitration practice, took on a criminal investigatory approach that involved using testimony from a former prime minister of Croatia and ex-Scotland Yard investigators. In December 2016, the tribunal dismissed every claim against MOL.
Additionally, in the report’s New Products and Services category, Dechert was “commended” for World Passport, a financial services package that provides a one-stop shop for registration, marketing and legal compliance when investment firms seek to distribute UCITS or AIF funds in new international public markets. Developed by London-based partner Karen Anderberg and Boston’s Chris Christian, the service includes concise, practical legal information on passporting or registering funds, gaining market entry, and maintaining compliance with local regulations, along with advice on marketing requirements and guidance with websites—all across a wide number of jurisdictions.
Winners of the Financial Times awards were announced at a ceremony at London’s Natural History Museum on October 4.
Read the full Financial Times European Innovative Lawyers 2017 report here.
About Dechert
Dechert is a leading global law firm with a deep bench of experts 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.
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