Leading global law firm Dechert LLP announced Jim Curtis has joined the firm as counsel in the corporate and securities practice group where he will focus on permanent capital. He is based in Washington, DC.
Mr. Curtis spent over 25 years at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), most recently serving as a Branch Chief in the Office of Chief Counsel at the Division of Investment Management. Before joining the SEC, Mr. Curtis was an associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York.
Jims arrival marks yet another strategic hire for Decherts corporate team, augmenting our market-leading permanent capital practice and greatly benefiting our clients, said Mark Thierfelder, chair of Decherts global corporate and securities practice.
Many Dechert lawyers have worked closely with Jim over the years and hold great respect for Jims position at the forefront of developments in the business development company (BDC) and closed-end fund industries, added James Lebovitz, a Dechert partner and member of Decherts permanent capital vehicle team.
Mr. Curtis brings substantial SEC experience, having participated in the development of much of the framework used by SEC staff to regulate permanent capital over the past two decades.
Mr. Curtis is a graduate of Hamilton College (B.A.), The Amos Tuck School of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and New York University School of Law (J.D.).
Dechert is universally well-regarded as an industry leader, said Curtis. As a government official and practitioner, Ive admired the professionalism of Decherts lawyers and look forward to utilizing my experience to help clients achieve their goals.
Decherts multidisciplinary permanent capital team represents the full range of alternative investment platforms, investment management companies-including BDCs, closed-end funds, real estate investment trusts and other permanent capital vehicles – as well as financial intermediaries serving such firms. The corporate team has expanded significantly over the past year with lateral partner hires across the globe in each of its core product lines.
The firm has earned global recognition for work in the permanent capital space including being named Law Firm of the Year – Americas by Private Debt Investor in 2016, and is currently shortlisted for Law Firm of the Year in the Americas, Europe and Asia (2017). In addition, Alt Credit Intelligence named Dechert Best Law Firm Overall in its 2015 European Services Awards and in its 2016 U.S. Services Awards.