Page 53 - NYLJ Professional Excellence 2021

the first federal court dismissal of such a suit and the first From left, partners Hayden Coleman, Mark S. Cheffo,
to address a State Farm policy—was particularly satisfying. Sheila L. Birnbaum, Douglas E. Fleming III and
Mara Cusker Gonzalez.
A prospective client in crisis calls and asks why your team
should be retained. What is your answer? Dechert’s 68-lawyer Responses prepared by Mara Cusker Gonzalez and Sara
PLMT group excels at thinking strategically. Even mid-crisis, Roitman, partners at the firm.
when clients face challenges on all sides, we are focused
on how best to bring about favorable long-term outcomes.
Co-leads Mark Cheffo and Sheila Birnbaum are regarded by
bench and bar as national experts who think creatively to
resolve the most complex cases. Leading a group of senior accrue valuable experience early to help them become bet-
litigators who draw on an unusually broad range of experi- ter lawyers and better leaders. Young PLMT attorneys are
ence, they have shown an ability this past year to win pivotal expected to develop case strategies, contribute usefully at
rulings and landmark cases in state and federal courts across team and client meetings, and take depositions and argue
a wide range of business sectors, from technology, insurance motions in court at a much earlier stage than in many other
and consumer products to the pharmaceuticals and medical firms. Our entire team meets weekly to discuss case devel-
device industries. opments, new opportunities, and trends to watch, and our
associates take the lead in presentations. Our senior associ-
What traits do you respect most in opposing firms and law- ates also help run a PLMT lunch-time training program for
yers? At Dechert, we believe in integrity, honesty, hard work juniors, covering procedural and substantive topics, as well
and an ability to remain courteous under pressure. We respect as “soft skills” like internal and client communications. We
all those who behave in a similar manner. also engage associates directly in client and business devel-
opment activities from their first year on, including thought
What is the firm doing to ensure that future generations leadership and writing opportunities, client presentations,
of litigators are ready to take the helm? The culture of and participation in outside programs to learn from others in
success at Dechert rests on ensuring that junior lawyers the field.

Photo: Ryland West/ALM | October 2021 51