Dechert Named to The American Lawyer's 2026 A-List of Top 20 Firms
Dechert has been named to The American Lawyer's 2026 A-List: Top 20 Firms, leaping five spots from last year’s ranking.
The annual A-List is widely regarded as one of the legal industry's most comprehensive measures of overall law firm excellence, based on a range of metrics that include financial performance, pro bono commitment, diversity, female equity partner representation and associate satisfaction.
"Making the top 20 in this year’s A-List is a reflection of what makes our firm special: talented people working together in service of our clients, colleagues and communities," said firm co-chair Mark Thierfelder. “It is a testament to the culture that has led to our rapid growth this year – and not just in headcount.”
This recognition reflects Dechert’s commitment to delivering exceptional client service while fostering a culture grounded in collaboration, inclusion, professional development and community engagement. Recent highlights from this past year include:
- 82,000+ hours of pro bono legal services globally, with our lawyers actively engaged in more than 1,500 pro bono matters involving criminal justice reform, housing and homelessness, civil rights, human trafficking, veterans benefits and representing numerous nonprofits, small businesses and social enterprises.
- 50 new lateral partners and three new offices in Chicago, Dallas and Houston underscoring Dechert’s momentum in recruiting market-leading talent across litigation, investment management, finance and restructuring, capital markets and securitization, and mergers and acquisitions.
- Earned “elite” designation from Chambers Associate across all seven junior associate survey categories and ranked elite in the “most satisfied mid to senior associates” category. Dechert is the sole AmLaw 100 firm to achieve across-the-board elite status in multiple surveys over the last five years.
"Being named to The American Lawyer's A-List speaks to the strength of our global platform and the collaborative culture that drives our success," said David Forti, co-chair of Dechert. "Our people are united by a shared commitment to excellence, innovation and client service, and this recognition reflects the impact of those efforts across the firm."
About Dechert
Dechert is the law firm that helps business leaders lead.
For more than 150 years, we have advised clients on critical issues – from high-stakes litigation to first-in-market transaction structures and complex regulatory matters. Our lawyers in commercial centers worldwide are immersed in the key sectors we serve – financial services, private capital, real estate, life sciences and technology.
Dechert delivers unwavering partnership so our clients can achieve unprecedented results.
