Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are at the core of Dechert’s culture and business strategy. They shape the firm’s Personal Commitments and Guiding Principles. Our core values underscore our inclusive approach and embody our commitment to our work, clients and talent. With these principles in mind, we strive to:

• Maintain an inclusive environment that cultivates and values different backgrounds and perspectives.
• Harness the power of difference to enrich our relationships with clients through diverse and talented teams.
• Create equal and fair access to all aspects of firm life.
• Uphold our commitment to diversity by being a leader in the legal industry through innovation and sustained diligence.

Never have culture and values been more important. During 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement gave us the opportunity to live those values, take a stand, and strive to make a difference.

What Makes Us a Great Place to Work

We are proud to be consistently recognized as one of the world's best places to work, a champion of DEI and a model of social responsibility. We are currently the only law firm on Diversity Best Practice’s list of Leading Inclusion Index Companies and we have earned a perfect score of 100 in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index for the ninth consecutive year.

We believe that diversity, inclusion and collaboration is key to building extraordinary teams. We hire people with exceptional talents, abilities and potential, then create an environment where you can become the best version of yourself and thrive both professionally and personally. We are publicly recognized by external parties such as Fortune, Working Mother, National Association for Female Executives and the Human Rights Campaign for being a great place to work for DEI, women, LGBTQ+ and parents.

On Dechert's Days of Service, our offices come together to make an impact in our local communities. We focus on projects that strengthen our communities and make our cities better places for all residents.

Inclusive Leadership

Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion stems from the top. Our partners have been participating in quarterly, interactive sessions on inclusive leadership since 2018. Topics include: affinity bias, attribution bias, covering, in and out groups, priming, unconscious bias, and inclusive leadership in times of crisis. Interactive sessions include dramatizations that prompt conversations long after the programming ends. This program continues today, with the February 2021 session focused on actionable allyship. Inclusive leadership training has also been expanded to all associates and business service professionals.

Diversity Symposium
Dechert holds a two-day Diversity Symposium for diverse associates, designed to help associates cultivate a wider professional and support network and to connect directly with firm leaders. By utilizing a 360° framework to explore career and life strategies for success and development, participants receive intensive exposure to advice, practical guidance, clients and inspiration, through lectures, workshops, networking and more.

Lunch and Learn Empowerment Series 
The firm’s Lunch and Learn Empowerment Series provides an opportunity for diverse associates and counsel to share knowledge and skills gleamed from external workshops and professional development programs with diverse associates and counsel at Dechert. The sessions are held every two months and often include guest contributors from the partnership ranks.

SASS
The firm’s Sponsorship and Sustained Support (SASS) program, launched in 2015, is designed to help women associates navigate the path to partnership. SASS provides targeted individual and small group support, which includes general information sessions; skill-level appropriate training; individualized attention from Dechert partners; access to consultants and advisors; and networking opportunities. In the five years prior to its implementation, 18 percent of lawyers promoted to partner were women. In the five years since its implementation, 31 percent were women.

LGBTQ Allies Program

Dechert's LGBTQ Allies Program was developed to support our LGBTQ colleagues. Participation in the Dechert program is voluntary and open to everyone. Allies receive training and a decal identifying them as an ally in the office. The decal is displayed on office doors and serves as a visible show of support for our LGBTQ colleagues.