David W. Forti

David Forti is co-Chair of Dechert and a member of the leadership team responsible for setting strategic priorities and driving the firm’s commitment to our work, our clients and our community. He is also a member of the Policy Committee. Mr. Forti’s efforts in these areas continue to position Dechert as a leading global law firm advising asset managers, financial institutions and corporations on issues critical to managing their business and their capital – from high-stakes litigation to complex transactions and regulatory matters.

In addition to serving as co-Chair, Mr. Forti continues to focus his practice in the areas of real estate finance and securitization. He represents various lenders, issuers, funds, b-piece buyers, master servicers and special servicers in transactions involving loan origination, mezzanine financing, loan sales and purchases, preferred equity transactions, CMBS securitization, post-closing modifications, work-outs and foreclosures.

Mr. Forti was named a “Distinguished Leader” for multiple management successes, including co-leading the global finance and real estate practice groups through a standout year in The Legal Intelligencer's 2023 Pennsylvania Legal Awards. In 2022, Mr. Forti was recognized by Law360 as a Real Estate MVP for advising on many of the largest commercial real estate loans originated in the past year – he was one of just six lawyers named an MVP in this practice area. He is consistently recognized as a leading real estate finance lawyer by legal referral guide Chambers USA, which cited him as being an “extraordinarily talented and very high-quality lawyer who is both smart and commercial.” Additionally, one client noted that Mr. Forti is "sought after for his extensive market knowledge and his connectivity within the real estate finance space."

Mr. Forti is ranked as a leading lawyer for real estate finance by The Legal 500 US, which cited him as being “the best in the lender counsel business for large complex transactions.” Mr. Forti is nationally recognized as a highly regarded banking lawyer by IFLR1000. He is also recognized in the Guide to the World’s Leading Structured Finance and Securitization Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. In 2017, Mr. Forti was honored by the Philadelphia Business Journal in its inaugural Best of the Bar Awards.