Dechert Recognized for Innovation in Financial Times Report
December 15, 2017
The Financial Times has recognized innovative legal strategies adopted by leading global law firm Dechert LLP in its North America Innovative Lawyers Awards 2017. The annual award contest and report honors “highly innovative” firms whose lawyers have “made a critical contribution to transforming their clients' businesses.” Firms are judged on the originality of their approach, leadership qualities displayed and the impact of their work on a client’s business.
Firms are also recognized for innovative strategies towards managing themselves as businesses, engaging and developing talent, and delivering services to clients.
In the Litigation and Disputes category, a Dechert team led by intellectual property litigator Martin Black ranked third, receiving a “Highly Commended” stamp of approval, for a victory before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of SCA Hygiene Products. In March 2017, the Supreme Court held that the 100-year old doctrine of laches does not exist in patent law to bar legal damages in patent cases because Congress included a six-year statute of limitations in Section 286 of the Patent Act. Given the rarity with which patent cases are heard by the Supreme Court, the case attracted considerable media attention.
Dechert also received a “Commended” ranking in the New Markets and Capital category for guiding New York biotech Remedy Pharmaceuticals through an extended search for a suitable partner to co-develop Cirara, the first therapeutic advance in the field of stroke in more than 20 years. A Dechert team, led by corporate partners Jonathan Schur and Kristopher Brown, helped negotiate the sale of Cirara’s assets to Biogen for US$120 million, plus future milestone and royalty payments, in a deal that enabled Remedy to remain involved in key development phases of a potentially ground-breaking treatment.
The innovative North American legal teams selected by the Financial Times were honored at an awards ceremony at the New York Public Library on December 11.
Read the full Financial Times North America Innovative Lawyers 2017 report.
About Dechert
Dechert is a global 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
