Our executive leadership team guides the way the Dechert community interacts with not only our clients, but with each other, to allow us to deliver a distinctive service that is not just excellent, but that is also true to who we are. The team helps to build a culture of success that fuels innovation and supports growth worldwide.
James Lebovitz
Chief Operating Officer and Partner
James A. Lebovitz is the chief operating officer of Dechert LLP and a partner in the corporate and securities group. As chief operating officer, Mr. Lebovitz works closely with the Firm’s co-chairs to position Dechert as a leading global law firm advising asset managers, financial institutions and corporations on issues critical to managing their business and their capital. He is responsible for the oversight of the firm’s global operations and supporting functions spanning the United States, Europe and Asia including finance, talent and human resources, marketing, information technology, legal and administrative operations, and real estate.
Before being elevated to chief operating officer, Mr. Lebovitz served in a number of leadership roles including as the firm's finance partner, a member of the Firm's Policy Committee, and chair of the firm’s business and technology practice groups. Prior to joining Dechert in 1999, Mr. Lebovitz served as general counsel of a publicly-traded healthcare company in San Diego, California.
Mr. Lebovitz also continues to represent clients in securities transactions, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances and general corporate matters. He has extensive experience advising public and privately held corporations in the life sciences, healthcare, financial and business services sectors, business development companies and other specialty finance companies, and investment banks in corporate transactions and financings.
Education
- University of Cambridge, LL.M.
- University of Virginia School of Law, J.D.
- Yale College, B.A.
Gene has served as Chief Financial Officer at Dechert since 2022, where he oversees and supports the firm's financial strategy, planning, and operations. Gene has more than 15 years of experience within the industry and more than two decades in professional services.
Education
- Drexel University, M.B.A.
- Rowan University, B.S., Management Information Systems
Alison Nina Bernard has served as the chief talent and human resources officer at Dechert since 2017. She oversees all aspects of the firm’s talent program, including recruiting, professional development, diversity and inclusion, culture and human resources.
Ms. Bernard has more than 20 years of experience working in law firms, including Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP; Goodwin Procter; and Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison. She has held various roles, including Director of Corporate Practice and Director of Attorney Development, and practiced corporate law focusing on business transactions for technology companies.
Education
- New York University School of Law, J.D.
- Northwestern University, B.A., English
Michael Rinehart
Chief Information Officer
Chief Information Officer (CIO) Michael Rinehart joined Dechert in 2021 and is responsible for the oversight, growth and implementation of the firm’s information technology and innovation strategy.
Mr. Rinehart came to the firm with 20 years of experience in industry and professional services. He was most recently at Fox Rothschild, where he served as CIO for 10 years.
Education
- Drexel University, B.S., Mechanical Engineering
Brielle Roldan is the Chief Marketing Officer at Dechert, leading the firm’s marketing and business development strategy and operations across the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Asia.
In particular, she drives brand positioning, client engagement, media relations and digital platforms to strengthen Dechert’s reputation as a leading global law firm that advises asset managers, financial institutions and corporations on issues critical to managing their business and their capital.
Brielle joined Dechert in 2022 with more than two decades of experience translating complex business concepts into compelling brand and marketing campaigns for financial institutions and professional service firms. She combines marketing strategy with a strong focus on data and results-driven implementation.
Education
- Georgetown University, M.B.A.
- American University, B.A., International Relations
As Dechert’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Satra Sampson-Arokium is responsible for strategic oversight and the design and implementation of initiatives to promote an inclusive culture at the firm.
Ms. Sampson-Arokium works closely with Dechert’s Management Committee and Diversity and Inclusion Committee in setting and implementing the firm’s strategic plans and priorities to build a culture of excellence. She brings an increased focus on client partnership and collaboration to further our shared goals of inclusion and excellence.
Prior to joining Dechert, Ms. Sampson-Arokium held multiple roles, spending more than a decade at a leading global audit, consulting and financial advisory firm in various positions, including a leadership role in global enterprise risk services.
Education
- Marist College, Masters in Public Administration (MPA)
- State University of New York at Albany, B.A., Political Science