National Litigation Star David Bernick To Join Dechert

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Aug 23, 2013, 08:30 ET

NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Dechert LLP announced today that renowned trial lawyer David M. Bernick will join the firm's litigation practice in New York effective Monday, August 26. Bernick spent more than 30 years with Kirkland & Ellis LLP before leaving to become Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Philip Morris International in 2010.

"David is simply one of the best lawyers out there," said Dechert chairman Andrew J. Levander. "He is one of a handful of elite lead trial lawyers operating on the national stage. David strengthens what is already a phenomenal group of top flight trial lawyers at Dechert. We are very fortunate to be able to welcome him to Dechert."

Bernick has an impressive history of success in the courtroom, serving as counsel to a wide range of clients in the chemical, tobacco, technology and life sciences industries. His practice has included mass torts/product liability trial wins as well as matters involving complex antitrust and business issues. He has significant experience in internal investigations as well.

Among Bernick's high-profile victories are the acquittal of W.R. Grace & Co. and three of its executives before a Montana jury in a landmark environmental prosecution brought by the federal government. The W.R. Grace case is believed to be the largest criminal environmental prosecution ever. He has scored trial victories in widely-varying types of cases for Dow Chemical Company, ABB Ltd., Brown & Williamson, Dow Corning, Babcock & Wilcox Company, National Lead Company of Ohio and other clients. Other significant and successful representations include defending Dow Chemical Company in connection with its acquisition of Rohm & Haas, Apple in class action litigation concerning the iPod, Philip Morris USA in a nationwide class action involving "light" cigarettes, Abbott Laboratories in weight-loss drug litigation, and Baxter International in blood thinner litigation.

"Dechert provides a tremendous global platform for my practice and I have the utmost respect for the entire litigation group at Dechert," said Bernick, who was most recently at Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP. "I firmly believe that joining this strong team will be of great benefit to my clients."

Bernick is a graduate of the University of Chicago (B.A., 1974), Yale University (M.A., 1975) and the University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 1978). He is a member of the New York and Illinois Bars.

Dechert's global litigation team is top-ranked in white collar and securities, product liability/mass torts, antitrust, international arbitration, bankruptcy and commercial litigation areas.

About Dechert

Dechert is a global specialist law firm with more than 900 lawyers in 26 offices. Focused on sectors with the greatest complexities, legal intricacies and highest regulatory demands, the firm excels at delivering practical commercial judgment and deep legal expertise for high-stakes matters.

SOURCE Dechert LLP