US EditionLaw Firm Dechert Hires 20-Partner Team From Rival Mcdermott
Dechert LLP adds over 20 lateral partners to strengthen litigation and corporate/M&A practices, expanding with new offices in Chicago and Dallas as part of its strategic growth plan.
- On Jan. 23, 2026, Dechert LLP welcomed more than 20 lateral partners from McDermott Will & Schulte, opening new offices in Chicago and Dallas.
- With its strategic plan gaining traction, Dechert LLP said Mike Poulos, who will join as vice chair and global head of strategy, will help integrate and grow the platform.
- Seth Friedman and Tim Hoeffner will co-chair Dechert's accounting defense practice, while Rachel Cowen joins Nicolle Jacoby and Philippe Thomas as labor and employment co-chair.
- With the new laterals in place, Dechert LLP will have five partners in Dallas focusing on complex litigation, corporate governance and M&A, while Jim Wetwiska will launch the Houston office after leaving Akin Gump.
- This announcement is the latest large lateral group to switch firms this year, following recent multi-lawyer shifts like 19 hires at Womble Bond Dickinson and 16 at Spencer Fane.
34 Articles
34 Articles
The Courier-Tribune
Dechert Attracts Large Partner Group, Including Leading U.S. Complex Litigation Practice, and Will Open Offices in Chicago and Dallas
NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Dechert LLP has kicked off 2026 by welcoming more than 20 new lateral partners, including a preeminent U.S. complex litigation practice and Chambers Band 1 accounting defense practice. This group is led by…
Dechert Grabs 20-Lawyer Litigation Team from McDermott, Will Open New Offices in Chicago, Houston, Dallas
After closing shop in Chicago in 2024, the firm is reopening in the city to host team leader Mike Poulos. It's also opening in Dallas to welcome members from the McDermott team, while launching in Houston with a former Akin litigator.
Dechert Raids McDermott With 20‑Partner Team as It Re‑Enters Chicago and Targets Texas Dechert Raids McDermott With 20‑Partner Team as It Re‑Enters Chicago and Targets Texas
Dechert has fired the opening shot of 2026’s lateral wars, lifting a 20‑plus partner team – including a top‑ranked complex litigation and accounting defense squad – from McDermott and using it as the launchpad for new offices in Chicago, Dallas and a disputes outpost in Houston. Dechert has brought in more than 20 lateral partners across litigation, corporate and securities, IP and employment from McDermott Will & Schulte, anchored by a preemine…
To Launch New Dallas Office, Dechert Snags McDermott Duo Behind Tesla’s $1 Trillion Contract
Veteran corporate lawyers and dealmakers Wilson Chu and Joanna Lin have left McDermott to launch Dechert’s new Dallas office, following their high-profile work advising Tesla on Elon Musk’s $1 trillion employment contract. Their move was quietly noted in Dechert’s announcement of 20 partner hires for new offices in Dallas and Chicago, and existing ones in key U.S. markets, marking another shift amid McDermott’s ongoing post-merger reshuffling. T…
Dechert Hires 20 Partners From McDermott in Major Expansion
Global law firm Dechert has made a major strategic move by hiring a 20-partner group from rival firm McDermott Will and Schulte, marking one of the most significant lateral partner acquisitions in the U.S. legal market so far this year. The move reflects Dechert’s broader growth strategy as it looks to strengthen its presence in key U.S. cities and expand leadership across high-demand practice areas. The group is led by Mike Poulos, a senior lea…
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