Former SEC Branch Chief Jim Curtis Joins Dechert as Counsel in Washington
Leading global law firm Dechert LLP announced today that Jim Curtis has joined the firm as counsel in the corporate and securities practice group where he will focus on permanent capital as well as financial services and investment management. He is based in Washington, DC.
Mr. Curtis spent over 25 years at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), most recently serving as a Branch Chief in the Office of Chief Counsel at the Division of Investment Management. Before joining the SEC, Mr. Curtis was an associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York.
“Jim’s arrival marks yet another strategic hire for Dechert’s corporate team, augmenting our market-leading permanent capital practice and greatly benefiting our clients,” said Mark Thierfelder, chair of Dechert’s global corporate and securities practice.
“Many Dechert lawyers have worked closely with Jim over the years and hold great respect for Jim’s position at the forefront of developments in the business development company (BDC) and closed-end fund industries,” added James Lebovitz, a Dechert partner and member of Dechert’s permanent capital vehicle team.
Mr. Curtis brings substantial SEC experience, having participated in the development of much of the framework used by SEC staff to regulate permanent capital over the past two decades.
Mr. Curtis is a graduate of Hamilton College (B.A.), The Amos Tuck School of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and New York University School of Law (J.D.).
“Dechert is universally well-regarded as an industry leader,” said Curtis. “As a government official and practitioner, I’ve admired the professionalism of Dechert’s lawyers and look forward to utilizing my experience to help clients achieve their goals.”
Dechert’s multidisciplinary permanent capital team represents the full range of alternative investment platforms, investment management companies–including BDCs, closed-end funds, real estate investment trusts and other permanent capital vehicles – as well as financial intermediaries serving such firms. The corporate team has expanded significantly over the past year with lateral partner hires across the globe in each of its core product lines.
The firm has earned global recognition for work in the permanent capital space including being named “Law Firm of the Year – Americas” by Private Debt Investor in 2016, and is currently shortlisted for “Law Firm of the Year” in the Americas, Europe and Asia (2017). In addition, Alt Credit Intelligence named Dechert “Best Law Firm Overall” in its 2015 European Services Awards and in its 2016 U.S. Services Awards.
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.
Leading global law firm Dechert LLP announced today that Jim Curtis has joined the firm as counsel in the corporate and securities practice group where he will focus on permanent capital as well as financial services and investment management. He is based in Washington, DC.
Mr. Curtis spent over 25 years at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), most recently serving as a Branch Chief in the Office of Chief Counsel at the Division of Investment Management. Before joining the SEC, Mr. Curtis was an associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York.
“Jim’s arrival marks yet another strategic hire for Dechert’s corporate team, augmenting our market-leading permanent capital practice and greatly benefiting our clients,” said Mark Thierfelder, chair of Dechert’s global corporate and securities practice.
“Many Dechert lawyers have worked closely with Jim over the years and hold great ...Continue Reading
