New York, June 8, 2004 – LAWFUEL – Dechert LLP today announced that Steven J. Molitor, former chair of Morgan Lewis & Bockius’ securitization practice, has joined the firm along with seven former Morgan Lewis securitization lawyers including counsel Joseph V. Gatti and Eric P. Iversen, and five associates.
Molitor, who is resident in the firm’s New York and Philadelphia offices, focuses on the securitization of financial assets and has represented clients in connection with hundreds of public mortgage- and asset-backed securitization transactions.
“Steve and his accomplished team bring substantial public securitization expertise to our growing finance and real estate group,” said Malcolm S. Dorris, head of the Dechert’s securitization practice. “Their cumulative experience will strengthen our overall capital markets capabilities and give us greater depth and sophistication with respect to public securitization transactions.”
Counsel Eric P. Iversen, a lawyer with a broad range of securitization and resecuritization experience, is located in the firm’s New York office. Counsel Joseph V. Gatti, whose public and private securitization work includes substantial experience in related bankruptcy and workout issues, is located in Washington, D.C. Four of the five associates will be resident in Philadelphia, with one resident in New York.
Dechert’s finance and real estate practice continues to be one of the firm’s fastest growing areas, both domestically and internationally. Since 2002, the firm has welcomed partners Joseph Philip Forte and Ellen Goodwin from Thacher, Profitt & Wood, Joseph B. Heil from Precept, Inc., Geoffrey Hurley from Latham & Watkins and Jamie Bryant from Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw.
“Dechert’s securitization and real estate practice is strategically important to the firm’s future growth and is an area where we are focusing efforts on expanding our capabilities and enhancing our market positions,” stated Dechert Chairman, Barton J. Winokur.
“Dechert’s visibility as a recognized leader in this marketplace was a tremendous impetus in our decision to join the firm,” stated Molitor. He added, “Aligning ourselves with Dechert is a great opportunity to join a firm that has a solid commitment to securitization.”
With more than 700 lawyers located in 17 cities around the world, Dechert LLP advises corporations and financial institutions on transactional, regulatory, and litigation matters. Visit Dechert on the web at www.dechert.com.