Dechert Launches New Development Programme to Boost Women’s Advancement into Senior Roles

Dechert’s London office has launched a new career and personal development programme specifically designed to support the progression of female talent into senior roles.

The programme covers topics including ‘building professional confidence’, ‘creating your brand’ and ‘taking strategic career risks’, and incorporates mentoring, networking and leadership training from both external trainers and internal role models. The programme, which is open to all women in the business, is also designed to help women develop a support network within the firm. Led by the firm’s Global Women’s Initiative Committee in London, some of the sessions are shared by video link with Dechert’s other offices.

Partner and GWI London committee member Dorothy Cory-Wright explains, “Our goal is to explore issues that most affect women in the legal sector. It’s all about instilling confidence and teaching women methods to navigate their career at every stage. We want to promote an open dialogue so that women are empowered to seek support and advice.”

Dechert’s Global Women’s Initiative Committee in London has already held three successful training events, with the first event featuring a panel of Dechert partners sharing insight on how to strategically approach business development throughout one’s career; the second brought in coaching and development consultancy, The Bravest Path, to discuss techniques for overcoming perfectionism; while the third session focused on closing the deal and getting a seat at the table. 

“The firm is working hard to improve its gender diversity,” added Abbi Cohen, partner and chair of the Global Women’s Initiative, “We want to see equal representation of women, and other minorities, at all levels and will continue to strive towards that goal.”

Across all offices, Dechert’s Global Women’s Initiative Sponsorship and Sustained Support (SASS) programme focuses on assisting female lawyers to navigate the path to partnership. It provides targeted individual and small group support, which includes general information sessions; skill-level appropriate training; individualized attention from Dechert partners; access to consultants and advisors; and networking opportunities with other programme participants.

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.