Financial Times Names Dechert Among the Most Innovative Law Firms in North America

Dechert LLP and its lawyers have once again been honored for creativity and fresh thinking by the Financial Times in its Innovative Lawyers Awards for North America. The FT’s annual Innovative Lawyers report, which explores key trends and transformations in the legal sector, recognizes firms that have made a critical contribution to transforming their clients’ businesses.

This year, Dechert was ranked as one of the FT’s Top 15 “Most Innovative Law Firms in North America.” This firmwide ranking was calculated on the strength of firms’ legal innovations, along with scored assessments of their digital maturity, commitment to pro bono, policies towards people and financial success.

Financial services partner Timothy Spangler, a leading adviser to financial services providers seeking to leverage the potential of emerging technologies such as blockchain, cryptocurrencies and digital assets, was named among the FT’s Top 10 Most Innovative Legal Practitioners in North America. Mr. Spangler is frequently honored for devising legal innovations that underpin the integration of new technologies with mainstream financial markets.

Dechert teams were also recognized in several other categories:

STANDOUT – A team led by partner and Privacy & Cybersecurity co-chair Brenda Sharton was ranked #2 as a “Standout” in the “Innovation in enabling business resilience” category for advising Flo Health, the number one women’s health app, on “Anonymous Mode,” a first-of-its-kind feature that enhances user privacy for Flo’s fertility tracking tool. The feature de-links user data from an individual in company records, especially important in the wake of the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

COMMENDED – A team led by U.S. Commercial Litigation and Trials co-lead Christina Sarchio was “Commended” in the “Innovation in dispute resolution” category for successfully deploying the rarely used “unclean hands” defense on behalf of a U.S. financial services client, a creative litigation strategy that resulted in sanctions and put an end to a string of vexatious lawsuits.

COMMENDED – A transatlantic Dechert team was “Commended” in the “Innovation in responsible business” category for establishing a cross-border fund structure to facilitate fundraising in the U.S. and Europe for social-impact investment in socially minded businesses in India and East Africa. A cross-practice team led by partners Eric Deltour, Sonia Gioseffi and Adrienne Baker, and associate Tyler Payne, worked pro bono to establish a fund structure that significantly raises the bar in the impact investment sector.

Lawyers and firms recognized by the Financial Times were honored at an award ceremony held at Gotham Hall in New York City on December 5.

About Dechert 

Dechert is a leading global law firm with 21 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.