#United States #Washington, D.C. #Litigation #Dechert LLP #Government Contracts

Dechert Expands its Litigation Practice

Dechert LLP has recently made significant strides in enhancing its litigation practice by welcoming three prominent litigators—Tara Lee, Scott Lerner, and Melissa Taylormoore—into its Washington, D.C. office. This strategic decision reflects the firm’s commitment to bolstering its trial capabilities, particularly in the areas of sports, gaming, and government contracts.

These additions not only strengthen Dechert’s existing talent pool but also highlight the firm's ambitions for growth and excellence in a competitive legal landscape. According to Dave Forti, co-chair of Dechert, the year has been pivotal for the firm, marking substantial growth in their expertise as they strive to meet clients' diverse needs effectively.

"The arrival of Tara, Scott, and Melissa exemplifies our commitment to expanding our teams in service of our clients' businesses," Forti stated. “As we continue to welcome exceptional talent across our stables of excellence, their expertise elevates our platform to the next level."

Individual Expertise

Each new partner brings a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set to Dechert:

• - Tara Lee, previously the head of trials at another prominent international law firm, specializes in complex commercial litigation, wrongful death cases, mass torts, and corporate investigations. Her impressive track record includes representing multinational corporations, sovereign nations, and both public and private entities across various industries. Notably, she was awarded the U.S. Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2017 and has consistently been recognized among the leading litigation attorneys by Chambers USA.
• - Scott Lerner brings to Dechert a wealth of experience in sports and gaming law. Recognized for his adept handling of trials related to sports and gambling disputes, Lerner has a solid foundation in complex commercial litigation and has regularly advised a diverse clientele, including professional athletes, sports franchises, and online betting companies.
• - Melissa Taylormoore comes with more than two decades of experience pertaining to government contracting and regulation matters. She has led numerous internal and cross-border investigations, especially in matters related to national security, aerospace, and defense sectors. Her role ensures that Dechert remains at the forefront of contractual competencies involving government entities.

A Year of Growth and Expansion

With this current addition, Dechert continues to pursue its goal of expanding its litigation and broader legal capabilities. The firm has opened several new offices and broadened its offerings in recent years, thus further deepening its capabilities across various legal practices. Mike Poulos, the firm’s vice chair and global head of strategy, stated, "The firm has recently opened three new offices and complemented existing strengths while expanding its offerings," reflecting the firm’s strategic vision for sustainable growth and excellence.

The legal field is witnessing heightened competition and evolving demands from clients, which requires firms like Dechert to remain agile and responsive. With the onboarding of these skilled partners, Dechert aims to not just keep pace with but excel beyond industry expectations.

As Dechert enhances its litigation capacity with the addition of over 35 lateral partners this year alone, it positions itself to better serve its clients facing complex and oftentimes global legal challenges. The firm’s global litigation practice comprises over 350 attorneys equipped with diverse backgrounds and expertise, including former law clerks and seasoned litigators. This breadth of experience empowers Dechert to tackle some of the largest and most intricate legal disputes globally.

About Dechert LLP

For over 150 years, Dechert has been a recognized leader in legal services, advising clients on high-stakes litigation, innovative transaction structures, and complex regulatory matters. With commercial centers worldwide, Dechert remains attuned to key sectors including financial services, private capital, and technology. As it continues to evolve and grow, its commitment to collaboration and client service remains unwavering—paving the way for unprecedented results.