Diversity and Inclusion

 

Diversity and Inclusion are at the heart of Dechert’s values. We are united in our belief in their transformative power, as they are top priority for us and integral to our vision for the future of the firm. We  believe our collective strength is rooted in our diverse experiences, and by embracing and respecting these differences, we created a stronger, more cohesive community.

Diversity and Inclusion at Dechert

Diversity and Inclusion 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.

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Affinity Groups
Heritage Month Events

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Languages Spoken
Mansfield Plus Certified

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Countries

                

Affinity Groups

Dechert’s 11 affinity groups and committees build community and promote an inclusive culture within the firm. They support the development and retention of lawyers, business service professionals and allies while educating colleagues about diverse cultures.

Our affinity groups drive positive change by identifying areas for improvement and creating programs to enhance professional and business development. These initiatives include mentoring circles, seminars and workshops available to all Dechert colleagues, as well as community advocacy and pro bono efforts. Each group is led by dedicated partners committed to fostering a culture of understanding and belonging.

Mansfield Rule

Dechert has achieved Mansfield “Plus” Certification for the sixth year in a row, demonstrating our commitment to diversifying the legal industry. Dechert has also achieved Mansfield Certified Plus status in the UK.

Vernon L. Francis Diversity Champion Award

Recognizing the individuals who serve as role models for the inclusive, open culture we value, Dechert has established the annual Vernon L. Francis Diversity Champion Award.

D&I Week

During Dechert’s annual Diversity and Inclusion Week, our community participates in several engaging and enlightening events to help reinforce the firm’s culture of community.

Stand Against Racism


In the last several years, Dechert has publicly condemned the tragic and unconscionable deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and countless others. In response to Black Lives Matter, Dechert quickly planned and implemented a comprehensive employee initiative to deepen our understanding of racism, anti-racist practices and allyship. The ongoing Stand Against Racism initiative has included a town hall and speaker series and virtual forums for Black employees, as well as offering new resources to deepen our understanding of racism. The firm also honors the Juneteenth holiday, a day to reflect and recharge. 

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 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and a model of social responsibility. We are currently the only AmLaw 100 law firm ranked “Elite” across all six categories (Most Satisfied Associates, Career Development, Retention, Benefits and Quality of Life, Best Firms for Pro Bono, Best Firms for Diversity) on the Chamber’s Associate Survey. We have also received the Human Rights Campaign Equality 100 Award for earning a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index for the tenth 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, Seramount (Formerly Working Mother), Law.com and the Human Rights Campaign for being a great place to work for women, LGBTQ+ and parents.

 

Dechert Stars

Our Commitments

Dechert reaffirms its dedication to fostering an inclusive environment by becoming signatories to several significant and impactful causes. This move underscores the firm's ongoing commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within the workplace and the broader community.

  • As part of the firm’s commitment to fostering a more diverse workplace, Dechert has signed the American Bar Association’s “Pledge for Change: Disability Diversity in the Legal Profession.” The pledge aims to formally affirm law firms’ commitment to diversity, specifically disability diversity, and recognizes that it is in the best interest of both the firm and the legal profession to participate in these efforts. The pledge also announces that signatories will encourage others in the legal industry to make the same commitment.

    Learn more here.

  • Dechert, along with more than 90 leading law firms, has partnered with Diversity Lab to enhance inclusion and ensure equitable access to opportunities for individuals with disabilities within the legal profession. As a testament to our commitment to disability inclusivity, we have outlined several actions to take in 2024. These include continuing to ensure that firm and client events are accessible, further improving the digital accessibility of our websites, client portals and other resources, and continually enhancing physical accessibility for our employees, clients and other stakeholders.

  • During U.S. Pride month, Dechert reaffirmed our commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion by signing on to the “Count Us In” pledge led by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights advocacy organization. This pledge not only showcases our visible support for the LGBTQ+ community, but also rejects any threats to Dechert's core values of diversity, equity and inclusion, sending a powerful message that equality for all is not negotiable.

    So, it is with urgency and resolve as allies to the LGBTQ+ community, we pledge to:

    •  Stand proudly and publicly as LGBTQ+ allies, calling on lawmakers to abandon any efforts to discriminate and reject anti-LGBTQ+ threats to company values of diversity, equity and inclusion.
    • Raise up honest and authentic experiences of LGBTQ+ Americans, including those of our valued employees and customers in the transgender and non-binary community; and
    •  Ensure our transgender and non-binary employees and their families have access to the health and medical care they need, where possible under the law.

    Learn more here.

  • Dechert LLP is a proud signatory of the Halo Code and supporter of the CROWN Act. As a firm, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture where our employees feel comfortable to truly bring their whole selves to work. “At Dechert, we stand against all forms of racism and discrimination, ensuring an individual’s hairstyle or hair texture is no obstacle to them achieving their fullest potential,” said Satra Sampson-Arokium, Dechert’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. “The many cultures that form our diverse community are what make Dechert a great place to work, and we are honored to be a partner to both these amazing initiatives.”

    In support of the Halo Code and the CROWN Act, the firm is committed to:

    •  Standing against all forms of hair bias and discrimination.
    • Ensuring all firm personnel are respected and valued regardless of hairstyle or hair texture.
    • Recognizing and celebrating the differences in our community.

    Learn more here

Culture of Continuous Learning

Dechert is committed to supporting and developing our diverse and women lawyers. Programs include:

Culture and Community Series

As part of its ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment, Dechert introduced a Culture and Community series focused on understanding and addressing bias and difference. These interactive sessions offer the opportunity to explore the history and culture of the Dechert community. Such discussions are essential, as the firm values the diverse experiences and perspectives of all colleagues

Diverse Partners Business Development Network

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team recently launched the Diverse Partners Business Development Network. This group aims to increase connection and knowledge sharing among the firm’s diverse partners and provide opportunities for business development. In 2023, the Network hosted a hands-on brainstorming workshop facilitated by the firm’s Innovation Team and a high-profile networking session with firm leaders and rainmakers.

Diversity Symposium

Diversity and Inclusion Committee holds a bi-annual two-day Diversity Symposium, where associates and counsel from around the globe cultivate a wider professional and support network and 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.

Nurturing Excellence and Expertise for Tomorrow (NEXT)

The Nurturing Excellence and Expertise for Tomorrow NEXT program is the reimagined evolution of our Sponsorship and Sustained Support (SASS) Program aimed at further elevating the mission and objectives of the Global Women’s Initiative. The Program focuses on the firm’s most senior women associates and counsel and is designed to develop, empower and support their advancement opportunities as they navigate the next steps in their careers.

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.

 

Strategic Partnerships

Strategic partnerships with external organizations keep us focused on the barriers that persist within the legal industry and beyond. Together, we focus on the latest innovations to advance diversity, equity and inclusion, and racial justice.

We are proud to partner with:

Brochures

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

Alison Bernard, Chief Talent and Human Resources Officer

Regina Fico, Director, U.S. Human Resources

Satra Sampson-Arokium, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

Equal Employment Opportunity

Dechert LLP supports diversity and inclusion and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination. The Firm prohibits unlawful discrimination in any term or condition of employment against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual’s race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair type/texture or protective hairstyle), color, creed, religion, sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, uniformed service (including military status, or current or former membership or service in the U.S. Armed Forces or a state military unit, or veteran status), reproductive health decisions (including as related to accessing personal information about such decision-making without the employee’s written consent), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Gender Pay Gap Report

To read our UK Gender Pay Gap Report, please visit our Legal Notices.