Dechert Names Eight to Global Partnership

Global law firm Dechert LLP announced today that eight lawyers have been elected as partners effective January 1, 2018. 

“We are pleased to welcome this talented group of outstanding lawyers to our partnership,” said Andrew Levander, Chair of the firm’s Policy Committee.  

Dechert Chief Executive Officer Henry Nassau added, “Their commitment to clients is unparalleled and I am proud to have them at Dechert.” 

Stephanie Capistron, Financial Services, Associate, Boston – Capistron advises U.S. registered investment companies and their investment advisers on a wide variety of regulatory, compliance and corporate matters, including the development and launch of new funds, regulatory and compliance matters relating to existing funds, fund reorganizations and requests for exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, Capistron regularly provides advice on affiliated transaction matters under the Investment Company Act of 1940. 

Brenden P. Carroll, Financial Services, Associate, Washington, D.C. – Carroll represents U.S. registered investment companies and investment advisers in a wide range of regulatory, transactional and compliance matters. He has extensive experience structuring and forming mutual funds (including funds of funds); advising clients on mutual fund merger transactions; and preparing mutual fund and investment adviser compliance policies and procedures. Carroll also regularly represents clients before the SEC in connection with mutual fund registration filings, exemptive applications and requests for interpretive and no-action relief (including novel relief). 

Érica Franzetti, International Arbitration, Counsel, Washington, D.C. – Franzetti concentrates her practice on international commercial and investor-state arbitration matters across multiple industry sectors, including energy and natural resources, hospitality, financial services, and Internet governance. Franzetti has extensive experience advising clients in cases involving multiple procedural rules and has appeared before ICSID, ICC, ICDR and UNCITRAL arbitral tribunals.

Rani A. Habash, Antitrust, Associate, Washington, D.C. – Habash advises clients on the antitrust aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. He has helped guide industry-leading companies to successful strategic transactions in the face of intense antitrust scrutiny by the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general, and international competition authorities. Habash’s expertise in economics and significant experience in dealing with antitrust agencies has helped clients secure regulatory clearance in numerous high-profile transactions.

Kenneth D. Hackman, Global Finance, Associate, Philadelphia – Hackman’s practice focuses on the representation of borrowers and lenders on repurchase facilities, warehouse facilities and single-family rental finance transactions, including the origination and securitization of single-family rental loans. Hackman also has significant experience in the origination, acquisition and disposition of complex mortgage loans, mezzanine financings, the financing of distressed and under-performing mortgage debt, and the modification, workout and restructuring of complex distressed-debt structures. 

Violetta Kokolus, Intellectual Property, Special Counsel, New York – Kokolus advises on complex technology and intellectual property transactions with a focus on strategic alliances and collaborations (including, patent pools and standard setting), licensing arrangements and product-related commercial matters. Kokolus also advises domestic and international clients on technology and intellectual property issues for acquisitions, divestitures, financings and restructurings in a variety of industries within both the public and private sector. 

Mikhaelle Schiappacasse, Financial Services, Associate, London – Schiappacasse’s practice focuses on the structuring, establishment, listing, management, marketing and restructuring of investment funds, including hedge, debt, real estate and private equity. Schiappacasse has experience in the cross-border aspects of marketing alternative investment funds in Europe.  She also advises on the establishment of asset management businesses in the United Kingdom. 

Clemens York, Antitrust, National Partner, Brussels/Frankfurt – York focuses on EU and German competition law. He advises clients on complex merger control proceedings and cartel and abuse of dominance investigations before the European Commission and the German Federal Cartel Office, as well as on a variety of business practices including the establishment and maintenance of compliance programs. York also regularly oversees multi-jurisdictional merger clearance processes in countries throughout the world.

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.