Dechert Recruits CFTC Veteran Carl Kennedy to Lead Derivatives Practice

Kennedy arrives at Dechert with a background spanning both public service and private practice. His tenure at the CFTC included a role as Senior Counsel and Policy Advisor, where he helped draft rules for the Dodd-Frank Act. More recently, he testified before the U.S. House of Representatives regarding the federal oversight of sports-related prediction markets, a sector currently facing increased scrutiny.

Dechert leadership views the hire as a strategic move to preempt regulatory changes rather than react to them. By integrating Kennedy’s experience with swap dealers, exchanges, and market infrastructure clients, the firm intends to solidify its standing in the financial services sector. Kennedy, who previously held senior roles at JPMorgan and major global law firms, is recognized by Chambers and The Legal 500 for his regulatory work in derivatives. His appointment follows a broader expansion at Dechert, which has added over 50 lateral partners this year to bolster its finance and investment management practices.