Financial Times Recognizes Dechert Lawyers for Innovation in North America

Dechert lawyers have been recognized for their creativity and capacity to bring about change in the Financial Times’ North America Innovative Lawyers Awards for 2020. This year, firms were assessed on innovations reflecting critical trends in the legal profession, on their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and on their digital maturity.

As a firm, Dechert was ranked by the FT among those most willing to embrace new technology.

Philadelphia-based eDiscovery partner Ben Barnett, who devises new ways to use eDiscovery to clients’ strategic advantage in litigation and investigations, was one of just five business and practice leaders recognized for bringing about significant change through innovation. The FT highlighted Barnett’s success in spearheading a number of innovative client solutions, including the integrated eDiscovery strategy supporting Airbus’s unprecedented, same-day resolution of a global corruption investigation.

The success of Dechert’s pro bono program in helping those in greatest need during the COVID-19 pandemic was also recognized in the “Social justice and the rule of law” category. Dechert lawyers acting pro bono scored important litigation wins protecting women’s reproductive rights (lead partner, Linda Goldstein), securing release or improved conditions for vulnerable prisoners and immigrant detainees (lead partner, Will Sachse), and protecting U.S. citizens’ right to vote safely (lead partner, Neil Steiner).

Dechert’s pro bono work, led by partner and global pro bono head Suzanne Turner, is regularly recognized for the scope and scale of its impact. In recent months, the firm has been recognized by the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section with a National Public Service Award 2020 and named to The National Law Journal’s Pro Bono Hot List 2020.

Law firms and lawyers recognized by the FT were honored in a ceremony held online on December 10.

About Dechert 

Dechert is a leading global law firm with 26 offices around the world. We advise on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.