Financial Times Names Dechert Among Most Innovative Law Firms in Asia
For the first time, the Financial Times has ranked Dechert LLP among the top 20 most innovative international firms in Asia-Pacific for innovating to solve clients’ business challenges in its 2017 “Asia-Pacific Innovative Lawyers” report.
The annual report, which combines the Financial Times’ independent journalism with extensive research carried out by RSG Consulting, recognizes “highly innovative” firms whose lawyers have “made a critical contribution to transforming their clients’ businesses.” Firms are judged on the originality of their legal work, the leadership qualities they displayed and the impact of their work on a client’s business. This year, 71 law firms and 90 in-house legal teams submitted more than 500 entries.
“We are extremely proud that our deep expertise and commitment to innovation worldwide has been recognized by the Financial Times,” said Henry N. Nassau, Dechert’s Chief Executive Officer. “Dechert lawyers strive to bring fresh ideas and a new approach solve our clients’ business issues. These awards are a public recognition that Dechert achieves innovative results for its clients wherever they are in the world.”
Overall, Dechert was ranked as the eighteenth most innovative law firm in Asia-Pacific at an awards ceremony held at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center on June 1.
The firm achieved “Highly Commended” status in the “Dispute Resolution” category for trying “a number of firsts” in the long-running Daimler-Leiduck litigation case which has “influenced civil court procedures in Hong Kong.” The Dechert team consisted of Kareena Teh, Fabian Roday and Wilson Ip.
Dechert also won “Commended” status in the “Knowledge, Data & Intelligence” category where our legal analysis showed that an investment treaty claim against the Indonesian government could be made in relation to toxic haze from forest fires. Dechert’s analysis was used by NGOs and others to put pressure on the Indonesian government and raise awareness. The team comprised Mark Mangan, Henry Defriez and Claire Chong.
Dechert placed among the FT’s Top 10 in North America and Europe last year and is one of just five law firms to have made the FT’s Top 20 across all three regional contests in North America, Europe and Asia.
Additionally, the Singapore-headquartered Lazada Group, a client of the firm, was recognized with a “Standout” ranking in the “Innovative In-House Legal Team” category. The Lazada team was honored for bringing a “technology-focused, start-up mentality to its young and lean legal team” and for looking “at what can be automated, improved with technology or outsourced for greatest efficiency.”
Seoul-based SK Engineering & Construction, another Dechert client, was also honored in the same category. SKEC’s international legal team received a “Commended” ranking for analyses of bilateral international treaties and legal risks that were praised by the FT for “helping the business pursue a new model of making long-term equity investments in projects.”
Read the Financial Times Asia-Pacific Innovative Lawyers 2017 report.
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.
