Dechert LLP

Overview

Dechert is a leading global law firm founded in 1875 with deep specialisation advising asset managers, financial institutions, private equity and major corporates on high-stakes litigation, complex transactions and regulatory matters. The firm is known for its strength in financial services, funds, private equity and a cross-disciplinary approach that combines sector depth with a strong innovation agenda and robust pro bono engagement. Dechert positions itself as highly commercial and innovation-focused, emphasising multidisciplinary teams and global practice-group organisation to deliver cross-border solutions.

• Headquarters: Philadelphia
• Founded: 1875
• Lawyers: Nearly 1,000
• Trainees: 8-10
• Offices: 19

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Banking & Finance
• Capital Markets
• Competition & Antitrust
• Corporate & M&A
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• ESG & Sustainability
• Financial Services & Regulation
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Intellectual Property
• Investment Funds
• Private Equity & Venture Capital
• Real Estate
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Tax
• White Collar Crime

Geographic Focus: Dechert operates as a fully integrated global firm with major hubs in the United States (New York, Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, Austin, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston), key European centres (London, Brussels, Dublin, Luxembourg, Munich, Paris) and Asia (Singapore) plus a Middle East presence (Dubai). The firm staffs matters by practice group across offices to deliver cross-border, multidisciplinary advice, with particular depth in financial services, asset management/funds, private‑

Training Contract

London training is a two‑year programme comprising a six‑seat rotation designed to expose trainees to up to six different practice groups. Seats are typically of even duration across the two years and trainees are allocated supervisors and a trainee buddy; practice area preferences are requested ahead of vacation schemes and the firm seeks to place candidates in their chosen groups when possible. Training includes formal legal skills workshops, innovation and legal‑tech modules, and the Global Critical Skills Institute curriculum.

• Starting Salary: £55,000
• NQ Salary: £165,000
• Trainee Intake: 8-10
• Academic Requirements: Minimum degree expectation reported as 2:1; LegalCheek supplementary data indicates A‑level expectation of AAB. The firm accepts law and non‑law graduates (non‑law students undertake PGDip/PGDL before SQE preparation).
• Application Deadline: 31 December 2025

Sponsorship

Dechert pays PGDL and SQE fees for non‑law graduates and offers financial support for conversion and qualification; supplementary figures record a PGDL grant of £20,000 and an SQE grant of £20,000.

SQE Support

The firm provides tailored preparation for SQE1 and SQE2 within the training programme and covers SQE-related training and fees. The firm states that SQE and PGDL fees are paid for non‑law graduates; supplementary figures indicate grants of £20,000 for PGDL and £20,000 for SQE support.

International Opportunities

International secondments are offered and the firm references international secondments on its London training pages. Insider data indicates a c.25% chance of a secondment abroad for trainees; specific destination offices are not listed on the training page.

Client Secondments

The firm offers client secondments as part of international and professional development opportunities; insider data indicates an approximate 13% chance of a client secondment.

Mentorship

Trainees are allocated a supervisor (associate or partner) and a trainee buddy when on vacation schemes; the firm also uses ambassadors and practice group directors to support integration. The Global Associates Committee and a structured ambassador and mentorship network provide ongoing pastoral and career development support.

Apply on the Dechert LLP website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Dechert LLP Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness
• Attention to detail
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Intellectual curiosity and creativity
• Resilience and drive
• Interest in innovation and legal technology
• Commitment to pro bono and inclusion

Evidence Signals

• Relevant practice‑area experience or internship (financial services, funds, private equity, litigation or IP depending on role)
• Commercial work experience or transactional support experience
• Pro bono or volunteering experience
• Leadership activities or evidence of initiative (e.g., innovation projects)
• Mooting/advocacy for litigation roles or technical/scientific background for IP roles
• Language skills and international experience for global staffing

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Trainee salary: £55,000 (Year 1) and £61,000 (Year 2)
• NQ salary reported: £165,000
• PGDL grant: £20,000
• SQE grant: £20,000
• SQE and PGDL fees paid for trainees/non‑law graduates
• Competitive benefits and equitable parental leave policy
• THRIVE@Dechert well‑being programme (online fitness, tele‑medicine, webinars and virtual support groups)
• Annual Well‑being Week and global wellbeing activities
• Mentoring, ambassador and buddy systems
• Access to Innovation Certificate Program and innovation training
• Pro bono credit (associates receive billable‑hour credit for pro bono work)

Wellbeing

THRIVE@Dechert framework focusing on physical, mental, emotional and financial well‑being; company‑wide Well‑being Week; access to online fitness programmes and tele‑medicine; wellbeing seminars and virtual support groups.

Awards & Recognition

• The American Lawyer Industry Awards 2024 — Winner: Best Use of Technology (Generative AI 'build first' approach)
• The Recorder — Innovation in Diversity, California Legal Awards 2024 (Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion)
• Financial Times — Recognised among the most innovative law firms in Asia‑Pacific (year noted on site)
• HFM European Services Awards 2021 — Best Law Firm: Client Service
• Multiple Chambers and Legal 500 rankings across jurisdictions (Chambers Global, Chambers Europe recognitions listed in firm materials)
• Great Place to Work® certification (eight consecutive years; firm‑published survey stats cited)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Dechert is publicly committed to diversity and inclusion, with a global Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and published UK Gender Pay Gap Report. The firm emphasises inclusive leadership training for partners and broad D&I programming across offices.

• Diverse Partners Business Development Network
• Partner Diversity Information Card dashboard
• 11 Affinity Groups (Asian Affinity Group; Black Professionals Alliance; Dechert Family Network; Dechert Heroes (Veterans); Disability Affinity Group; Global Women’s Initiative; Greater Middle Eastern Alliance; Latino Affinity Group; LGBTQ+ Affinity Group; London Inclusion and Diversity Committee; Paris Inclusion and Diversity Committee)
• Vernon L. Francis Diversity Champion Award
• Annual Diversity and Inclusion Week
• Diversity liaison partners (DLPs) initiative

Pro Bono

All lawyers are required to perform at least 25 hours of pro bono work per year. Dechert recorded 82K+ pro bono hours in 2025, with c.1.5K open matters at any time; ranked #1 in Legal Week's 'Best Law Firms for Pro Bono in the UK' and listed for 12 years in The American Lawyer Top Ten.

Innovation

Dechert pursues a 'build first' approach to generative AI and an active innovation programme that funds and supports hundreds of projects annually. The firm reports supporting 300+ active projects, 500+ matters leveraging innovation technologies, certifying 140+ lawyers and business professionals in innovation, and maintaining a toolkit of 25+ technologies. The Innovation Incubator and I‑Lab provide billable‑hour credit and financial resources to scale high‑impact projects; innovation work is integrated into client matters and internal operations.

• Innovation Certificate Program
• Innovation Incubator / I‑Lab
• Innovation Ambassadors
• Idea Bank
• Dechert Spark Tank
• Summer Associate Innovation Bootcamp
• Innovator Award
• Director/Team for Technology Innovation (e.g., Thor Alden, Associate Director of Innovation)

Quick Application Angles

• Emphasise innovation experience: reference Dechert’s 'build first' approach to generative AI, the Innovation Incubator or Idea Bank when describing how you would add practical value (the firm highlights measurable client savings from tech projects).
• Connect to financial services/funds expertise: demonstrate commercial awareness of asset management, fund formation or private fund regulatory trends—Dechert places strong emphasis on asset managers and fund clients.
• Show pro bono and inclusion commitment: cite specific pro bono engagement or affinity‑group involvement and reference the firm’s requirement of pro bono credit and D&I programming (e.g., Diverse Partners Business Development Network, Partner Diversity Information Card dashboard).
• For London trainees, reference the six‑seat rotation and bespoke SQE/PGDL support (including the firm’s PGDL/SQE fee policy) and explain which practice groups you prefer and why—show you have read the firm’s practice group structure.
• If applying to IP/tech roles, highlight technical or scientific credentials and any experience with legal tech/AI projects to align with the firm’s emphasis on legal‑tech and innovation.