Dechert Expands Global Funds Practice with Double Partner Hire

Global law firm Dechert LLP has boosted its market-leading global funds capability with the strategic hires of partners Carol Widger and Marianna Tothova, adding to its 200 lawyer-strong financial services practice which spans key European fund domiciles, as well as the U.S., Middle East and Asia. 

Carol Widger, a senior and highly-respected financial services specialist, joins as the new managing partner of the firm’s Dublin office. She brings significant expertise advising fund promoters, fund managers, AIFMs, and other firms providing services to investment funds. Ms. Widger has 20 years’ experience advising on the establishment, launch and ongoing management of all types of investment funds, including UCITS and AIF products. Ms. Widger is a former Chair of Irish Fund’s Legal Working Group and is the current Chair and founding member of the Dublin location for 100 Women in Finance. Dechert was one of the first international law firms to establish a presence in Ireland, and the first major onshore transatlantic funds practice in Dublin.

Luxembourg-qualified Marianna Tothova joins as partner in London and Luxembourg with a practice focused on private funds as well as UCITS. Ms. Tothova has deep experience in the structuring of regulated and unregulated investment funds and related regulatory issues. She has represented clients as lead fundraising counsel across legal and regulatory structuring advice, negotiations with investors, closing and completion and corporate work.

Gus Black, global co-chair of Dechert’s financial services group, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Carol and Marianna, who each add significant further strength to our European funds platform. Many of our clients have business spanning Ireland and Luxembourg, and these appointments signal our commitment to both of these important fund centers as well as our ‘jurisdiction neutral’ advice model.”

Ms. Widger added, “Dechert is committed to growing its capability in Ireland, and I look forward to helping drive further success in Dublin leveraging the firm’s global funds platform.”

“Dechert has a premier funds practice and Luxembourg is a strategically important location for our financial services clients,” said Ms. Tothova, adding, “I look forward to joining this highly-respected global team.”

Dechert’s financial services group was the first and is the leading funds team to span the key European funds domiciles of UK, Luxembourg, Ireland, France and Germany, as well as the U.S., Middle East and Asia. Dechert advises across the full range of fund structures, particularly focusing on alternative funds, private equity and private debt, hedge, exchange traded funds and UCITS. The firm represents 23 of the world’s top 25 largest global asset management firms and 41 of the top 50 private debt firms.

About Dechert

Dechert is a leading global law firm with 27 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.