A World of Talent

A WORLD OF TALENT

A firmwide commitment

Dechert’s partner-led Diversity and Inclusion Committee, a senior management-level deputy chair, chief talent officer, and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer develop and implement programs to increase diversity and foster our culture of inclusion. Mansfield Rule Dechert achieved Mansfield Rule Certification Plus for the fourth consecutive year as a result of our strong commitment to moving the needle on diversity and inclusion. This certification recognizes law firms that have increased the representation of historically underrepresented lawyers in law firm leadership by broadening the pool of women, lawyers of color and LGBTQ+ lawyers who are considered for significant governance roles, senior lateral openings and promotions.

Our affinity groups • Asian Affinity Group •

Community and social responsibility • Pro bono legal services • Racial justice initiatives • Support for local bar associations • Global Dechert Day of Service Partnerships with external organizations • Aspiring Solicitors • Potential participation in programs with the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) and the Fellows Program, Pathfinders Program and 1L Scholars Program • Minority Corporate Counsel Association • New York City Bar Office of Diversity & Inclusion • The Law Collective

Black Lawyers Alliance

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Dechert Family Network

• Dechert Heroes •

Disability Affinity Group

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Global Women’s Initiative

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Greater Middle Eastern Alliance

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Latino Affinity Group

• LGBTQ+ Affinity Group and LGBTQ Allies Program • London Inclusion and Diversity Committee • Paris Inclusion and Diversity Committee

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

CHRISTINA GUEROLA SARCHIO Partner – Washington, D.C. Securities and Complex Litigation “The culture is one of support and being set up to succeed.” As a trial lawyer, my clients are drawn from a wide range of industries – from consumer products and financial to oil and gas, pharmaceutical, technology and sports. Often diverse themselves, they appreciate the innovative, fresh approaches to potential challenges that a diverse legal team brings. Joining as a diverse lateral in 2017, I found that Dechert made a genuine effort to introduce and integrate new people and encourage cross-practice and collaborative working. From the beginning, I had a good sense of what the firm was doing, with everyone kept in the loop through regular updates, weekly partner meetings and town halls – a commitment that was maintained throughout the challenges of the pandemic. The culture is one of support and being set up to succeed. Women and diverse employees can draw on a range of resources, from targeted affinity groups to mentoring programs. From the very start, I was entrusted with some significant ongoing class actions, for which we obtained victories within six months.

For lateral partners considering Dechert, I would say that the firm will surpass your expectations. My path to become co-lead of the Business Litigation and Trials practice was fully supported by firm leaders: commitment to diversity at Dechert is embedded from the top down. I am an active member of the Hispanic Bar Association, and currently serving as vice-president. This work is as important to me as practicing law – a fact acknowledged by Dechert, which has provided full backing for all my endeavors, both inside and outside the firm. Dechert’s ethos of setting people up to succeed in the spirit of energy and enthusiasm applies both to their career at the firm and activities in the wider community. Ms. Sarchio’s management experience at Dechert includes overseeing the talent team as deputy chair. She is the immediate past chair of the firm’s Global Women’s Initiative.

I was lucky enough to work on transactions opposite Dechert attorneys while at my previous firm and was consistently impressed by the quality of their work and their professionalism. In addition, the Dechert lawyers worked as a collaborative team and all seemed happy and motivated. Dechert is a very entrepreneurial firm. I have always been provided with the resources I need to grow my practice, whether it be additional hires, funds to attend conferences or support in creating and running industry panels and client pitches. As a lateral, I was a bit concerned that it would take a while to get to know others and feel like part of the team. I was honestly shocked by how welcoming everyone was and how quickly I was made to feel like an integral part of my group. I was asked to join committees, introduced to other partners’ clients and invited to coordinate client pitches all within the first few weeks of joining.

The firm understands that a diverse work team produces a better work product. We strive to produce the best results for our clients. A diverse team of lawyers with different perspectives and styles is key to doing so. Dechert has supported and encouraged my professional growth on all levels. The firm is dedicated to including diverse attorneys on both inward-facing and outward- facing management and leadership teams. I was appointed co-head of the New York Hiring Committee and am a member of the firm’s Policy Committee. The firm has also provided me with opportunities to join industry diversity committees and facilitated speaking and writing opportunities to enhance my profile. With the support of the firm, I have hosted several industry women’s events, including a very successful annual speed mentoring program. Ms. Swihart is co-chair of Dechert’s global finance and real estate practice groups.

“The firm understands that a diverse work team produces a better work product.”

LAURA SWIHART Partner – New York Finance and Real Estate

Diversity is important not just for a number of moral imperatives, but also because you should be recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, race or sexuality. A meritocracy needs access to the widest talent pool, and diversity is fundamental to getting better outcomes

career can go. My integration was beyond anything I expected. Everyone put in so much effort to support my business and welcome me, and the culture is such that you get buy-in from the wider partnership as well as your immediate team. Diversity is led from the very top at Dechert. Dechert not only has a lot of women and people of color working here, but also in positions of leadership. That impacts our culture in a very tangible way, and there is a constant momentum to do more. This is achieved through actions, programs, commitment and a constant conversation. Ms. Sehgal is head of Dechert’s structured finance and real estate finance teams in Europe and has previously served as a leader of the firmwide DEI program.

for your clients and for your own business. What initially attracted me to Dechert was the

extraordinary caliber of people. Everyone I met was at the top of their game and I knew it would be a privilege to work with such outstanding lawyers. There was a quality to our conversations, and a warmth to it as well that was very appealing. It was clear that I would be in a good place. This firm understands laterals. There are a lot of lateral partners here already, including in leadership, and it’s inspiring to speak with them and to see where your own

“This firm understands laterals.”

APARNA SEHGAL Partner – London Finance and Real Estate

I returned to private practice after a number of years in leadership as a federal prosecutor, and Dechert’s seamless way of working made the transition an easy and enjoyable one. I have been impressed with the work ethic and consistent approach across all of our international offices. We are properly integrated in a global way. My father was the first African American partner at a major law firm in Washington, D.C., which made a huge impression on me at an early age. As I watched his career develop and saw him in action at one of his trials, I knew that I wanted to follow in his footsteps. When I joined Dechert, I was asked to take over the leadership of the Black Lawyers Alliance – a role that is close to my heart. Most recently, I was elected to Dechert’s Global Policy Committee, a 14-member body that oversees the entire firm. Diversity and inclusion is taken very seriously at Dechert, and I’ve had the opportunity to build on the advances already made by the group to further develop the culture of support and interconnectivity within the firm. One of my key aims has been contributing to social justice progress, for which the firm has

given me its full encouragement. I’ve been a keynote speaker and panelist on diversity issues throughout the country; addressed a cohort of African American professors, deans and alumni at Harvard University Law School; and was elected to the Board of Trustees at my alma mater, Syracuse University. I seek to use speaking engagements and my leadership positions, inside and outside the firm, to promote Dechert’s commitment to diversity. Dechert has a truly global footprint, which also means a diverse client base. I enjoy the fact that so many of my clients come from different parts of the world. I have presented to high-profile clients in London, Hong Kong, Singapore and Toronto. I am able to experience such a broad array of cultures, mindsets and beliefs. I find this variety and diversity endlessly fascinating; it keeps my work fresh and challenging, and my practice is growing because of it. In addition to Mr. Cohen’s elevation to global managing partner, he continues to serve as regional chair of the U.S. white collar practice.

“I’ve had the opportunity to further develop the culture of support and interconnectivity within the firm.”

VINCENT COHEN Partner – Washington, D.C. Enforcement and Investigations

I chose Dechert because of its global footprint, its commitment to clients and quality, and its reputation in my area of life sciences intellectual property. Since I joined in the summer of 2015, my team in our Boston office quickly grew from zero to 16 people and continues to grow. Dechert is an energetic and entrepreneurial firm and is willing to back up its ambition with real resources. Onboarding was a breeze. There were already lots of laterals here, so people were very understanding and willing to help. I am now co-chair of the firm’s global life sciences practice, and I have been elected to the firm’s Policy Committee. It is very clear that laterals are welcome at the top table and have prominent roles to play in the strategic direction of the firm. Dechert’s partnership is made up of about half homegrown talent and half lateral partners. Homegrown lawyers maintain the culture and the spirit of Dechert and laterals bring in fresh air and new perspectives. That is a great mix and helps drive Dechert’s continued growth and success. Diversity is something I have actively promoted within my team. We have a good mix of men and women and people from different cultural backgrounds. We also have team members from different economic backgrounds, which I see as equally important from a diversity perspective. The more diverse you make that pool of incoming lawyers, the fresher the new perspectives are going to be.

In 2016, I was named one of the 10 most Innovative Lawyers in North America by Financial Times and won the Legal Expertise category “Enabling Clients to Innovate.” This was only a year into my life at Dechert. I could never have achieved this without total commitment from the firm to me, my team and my practice. At Dechert, I am a better lawyer. There is a real emphasis here on entrepreneurship, resources and supporting new partners. The infrastructure is excellent. This allows my team and I to provide a better service to our clients. Ms. Reid is co-chair of Dechert’s intellectual property practice, co-head of Dechert’s patent counseling and prosecution team, co-lead of Dechert’s global life sciences group and member of the firm’s Policy Committee.

“At Dechert, I am a better lawyer.”

ANDREA L. C. REID Partner – Boston Intellectual Property

I’m a first generation American, and no one in my family is a lawyer; when I entered law school, I had no concept of what a big firm lawyer was. When I lateraled to Dechert as a young associate, I remember being particularly struck by firm leadership’s emphasis on respect and humanity. This ethos was not just a slogan, but a mindset with which I was raised at this firm. I was immediately involved in working on cutting- edge cases, alongside partners who were industry pioneers. I quickly realized that being a lawyer was not a one-size-fits-all-type of person. My mentors, who were firm partners, guided me to strive for excellence, not just as a lawyer, but as a contributor to an inclusive and innovative firm. Diversity is crucial to my litigation practice. Judges, jurors and clients are diverse. It’s not only about meeting and learning from different people on my teams, but also ensuring a solid litigation strategy that does not overlook unique perspectives. As the world continues to become more interconnected on a global scale, diversity will only become more important. I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to diversity initiatives throughout the firm and in the profession, including through our exceptional pro bono program. I’ve had the privilege over the past decade challenging voting rights, including redistricting or onerous voter ID laws, throughout the country. The thrill of taking a case to trial and even up to the Supreme Court and

back down again has always been exhilarating to me. To see why the way you decide to phrase something in a brief or how you ask a question in a deposition can tangibly make a difference is very humbling. I co-chair the firmwide Diversity Committee, dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities, implementing innovative ways to achieve inclusivity and connection, as well as recognizing and celebrating individual and firmwide contributions to promoting diversity. I’ve also recently helped to launch the Women in Securities Litigation Network, which was an idea that started with dynamic female partners at Dechert to build a greater connection among female securities litigation defense attorneys, insurers, judges, and mediators. Dechert has not only facilitated my growth as a lawyer, which I never even fathomed becoming as a young girl, but it has also, importantly, allowed me to stay true to myself. I’m certain that I would not have grown into the lawyer and person I am today without this experience. Ms. Liu is co-chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. She has also served as co-chair of the firm’s Asian Affinity Group.

“As the world continues to become more interconnected on a global scale, diversity will only become more important.”

ANGELA LUI Partner – Chicago Securities and Complex Litigation

I was attracted to Dechert for its impressive private equity platform as well as the quality and professionalism of the many lawyers across its offices worldwide. My journey to success at Dechert has been a testament to the power of diversity and the importance of a supportive, inclusive culture to integrate me into the firm and make me a part of the team. Born in Brazil to Middle Eastern parents who fled from Iraq in the late 1950s, I grew up in North Carolina, surrounded by a rich tapestry of cultures. This diversity has been a central theme throughout my life, shaping my worldview and my approach to how I practice law. Since joining Dechert in 2017, the firm’s collaborative culture and entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in my successful integration. Attorneys across practice groups consistently made time to provide guidance and mentorship by participating in client projects, thought leadership opportunities, pitches for new business, and social events. Dechert has supported and encouraged my professional growth and provided me with impactful opportunities to become a part of its culture as well as promote diversity and inclusion. I work closely with our DE&I teams on various diversity initiatives, including training and mentoring, and am the diversity liaison partner for the corporate and securities practice in New York. My role as diversity liaison partner has been extremely rewarding and given me the opportunity to reach out and get to know many diverse associates in our group. I was appointed co-head of the New York Hiring Committee to assist with recruiting initiatives and am currently a member of the firm’s Policy

Committee. I am also co-head of the Greater Middle Eastern Alliance and a member of the Latino affinity group. These experiences have provided me with invaluable opportunities to build interconnectivity within the firm by interacting with colleagues and contributing to creating a more diverse and inclusive environment at the firm. Diversity is not just a personal value; it is a key element to my practice and the success of the firm. As my clients and those of the firm become increasingly more diverse, it becomes exceedingly important to bring diverse teams of lawyers to work on their projects thus creating stronger and “stickier” bonds with differing perspectives and experiences. I am proud to be part of a firm that values diversity and inclusivity and am committed to continuing to contribute to these efforts. Mr. Zilkha is an elected member of the firm’s Policy Committee and serves on the firm’s Partnership Promotion Committee.

“Diversity is not just a personal value; it is a key element to my practice and the success of the firm.”

NAZ ZILKHA Partner – New York Corporate and Securities

Find out more about Dechert’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives by scanning this QR code

dechert.com

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