Dechert Expands Leading Permanent Capital Practice in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dechert LLP strengthened its leading corporate and permanent capital practices with the hire of Harry Pangas as partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. 

Mr. Pangas is the fifth in a string of high-profile, strategic 2018 additions in Washington, D.C. Earlier this year, former SEC Branch Chief Jim Curtis, international trade lawyers Amanda DeBusk and Melissa Duffy, and tax and finance partner William Cejudo all joined Dechert. 

Over more than 20 years, Mr. Pangas has developed a strong reputation and market-leading practice representing financial services companies, including business development companies (“BDCs”), registered closed-end funds and private investment funds in connection with numerous securities offerings, M&A transactions and regulatory matters.  He regularly represents issuers and investment banking firms in connection with public and private offerings of equity and debt securities, including IPOs, Rule 144A offerings, shelf offerings, at-the-market offerings, registered direct offerings, high-yield bond offerings, convertible debt offerings and rights offerings.

"We are delighted that Harry has chosen to join Dechert because we know our clients will benefit from his significant experience counseling across the entire investment management and finance spectrum,” said Mark Thierfelder, global chair of Dechert's corporate and securities practice. “Growing our leading BDC and permanent capital practices remains central to Dechert’s global strategy.  As an experienced corporate lawyer attuned to the needs and sensitivities of financial institutions and investors, Harry fits right in with our first-class team.”    

Dechert’s permanent capital practice is a cross-disciplinary practice, including capital markets, leveraged finance, fund structuring and formation, corporate/M&A, financial services regulation, tax, employee benefits, and restructuring.   

Mr. Pangas added, “Dechert has made tremendous strides in the BDC, permanent capital and private credit space, and I have witnessed firsthand its strong commitment to expanding its global, cross-disciplinary capabilities. I am delighted to have the opportunity to join my practice with Dechert and leverage the firm’s expertise to assist my clients with their most sophisticated transactions.”    

Dechert’s corporate team has expanded significantly over the last two years with hires across the globe, including in New York, London, Beijing, Hong Kong and Singapore. The corporate and permanent capital practices earn top rankings in the most prominent league tables and leading legal directories including Chambers and The Legal 500. Dechert was named “Law Firm of the Year” for 2017 by Private Debt Investor across all three global categories – Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific – the first time a single firm has won all three regions.  

Mr. Pangas received his J.D. cum laude from Tulane University, and his B.S. cum laude from Syracuse University. He started his career in the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance in Washington, D.C.   

About Dechert 

Dechert is a leading global law firm with 27 offices around the world. We advise on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.