Law firm Dechert has hired Thomas P. Vartanian, David L. Ansell and Robert H. Ledig as partners in the Washington, D.C. office.
All three were previously partners at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, where Vartanian served as chair of the financial institutions transaction group.
Vartanian, Ansell, and Ledig have worked together for more than 25 years counselling commercial and investment banks, holding companies, housing-oriented government-sponsored enterprises, broker-dealers, private equity investors, hedge funds, credit unions, technology companies, state governmental entities, and financial trade associations.
“We are pleased to welcome such a dynamic team to the firm,” says Dechert chairman Barton J. Winokur (pictured). “Tom, David, and Bob enjoy high-industry profiles, and together they form one of the premier bank regulatory practices in the US. This is a critical time for the industry as it faces a sea change in the regulatory environment. Their shared talents and experience will further enhance our brand as a leader in the representation of financial services firms.”
Vartanian advises clients in the financial services industry in a wide variety of matters, including mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions; reorganisations, recapitalisations, and acquisitions of distressed banks; purchases from the FDIC as receiver for failed institutions; and matters involving government sponsored enterprises. He previously served as general counsel of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board and the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation.
“We are very excited to join such a distinguished group of attorneys as are here at Dechert. Our areas of focus are well-suited to the firm’s established practices and global resources, and we believe our clients will be well-served by this move,” Vartanian says. “Dechert’s depth of talent is second to none and we are looking forward to working with such a talented team.”
Ansell advises financial services companies on the formation and execution of complex corporate transactions, particularly with regard to bank regulatory matters. He has significant experience in matters pending before the federal bank regulatory agencies, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Housing Finance Board, the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the Comptroller of the Currency, where he previously served as an attorney focusing on regulatory, legislative, and securities issues.
Ledig advises financial institutions on corporate, regulatory and enforcement, and litigation issues. He previously served as an attorney in the Office of the General Counsel of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, where he was responsible for regulatory policy matters.
