David F. Jones

Pennsylvania

Dechert LLP
Cira Centre, 2929 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
United States

Tel: +1 215 994 2822

Email: david.jones@dechert.com
Web: www.dechert.com

Professional Biography

David F. Jones, is the Chairman Emeritus of Dechert LLP’s employee benefits and executive compensation group.

Mr. Jones represents both public and private corporations, private equity investors, and hedge funds with respect to qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, as well as executive compensation and employee welfare benefit matters.

Mr. Jones has done extensive work in dealing with the employee benefit aspects of mergers and acquisitions, representing both buyers and sellers. In addition, he assists clients with the integration and redesign of their employee benefit programs following significant acquisitions.

Mr. Jones has been consistently recognized as a leading lawyer for employee benefits and executive compensation in Chambers USA, a referral guide to leading lawyers in the United States based on the opinions of their peers and clients. In fact, in its 2016 edition, Mr. Jones was recognized as a “very pragmatic and practical” employee benefits and executive compensation expert. In a prior edition, he was noted as “a very diligent and thorough attorney.” He is also listed in The Legal 500 U.S. and The Best Lawyers in America.

Mr. Jones has lectured on employee benefit matters at seminars and conferences sponsored by the Association of Corporate Counsel, the Practising Law Institute, the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Delaware Employee Benefits Association, and the Strategic Research Institute.

Education

  • Temple University, B.B.A., 1979, cum laude
  • Temple University Beasley School of Law, J.D., 1982, cum laude, Business Editor of the Temple Law Review
  • New York University School of Law, LL.M., 1984, in Taxation

To sustain a competitive advantage, companies often need sophisticated compensation and benefits programs. That is the reason clients choose Dechert for their experience in designing, developing and helping to implement their benefits and compensation programs, ranging from equity and performance-based compensation to tax-qualified retirement plans and broad-based ERISA welfare plans, in the increasingly challenging and complex legal tax and regulatory landscape.

Benefits and compensation also play a key role in many corporate transactions. With significant experience with high-tech start-ups, large multinational corporations and global financial organizations, we have been an integral part of M&A transactions and international expansion projects covering all facets of employee benefits and executive compensation including:

  • Retirement programs
  • Executive compensation
  • Equity and equity-based compensation
  • Health and welfare

Further, with a global footprint and support of a robust international labor and employment group, we offer clients a comprehensive approach to the intricacies of tax, labor and securities laws and requirements.

We also have one of the world’s most sophisticated fiduciary practices, supporting our market-leading financial services practice. We frequently assist in the design and implementation of investment funds and other financial products, both for financial institutions and plan investors.

Dechert LLP is a leading global law firm known for delivering sophisticated legal solutions to clients across the world’s most competitive markets. With offices in major financial and business hubs throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, the firm advises multinational corporations, financial institutions, private equity funds, and governments on complex business and regulatory challenges. Its global platform is designed to provide seamless cross-border service and industry-focused expertise.

The firm has built a strong reputation in areas such as corporate and securities law, private equity, finance, investment funds, litigation, and regulatory matters. Dechert is especially recognized for its preeminence in financial services, including investment funds and asset management, where it has one of the largest and most experienced practices in the world. Its lawyers are also widely respected for their work in international arbitration, antitrust, and white-collar defense, handling matters of significant complexity and global impact.

Dechert distinguishes itself through its commitment to innovation, efficiency, and a client-centered approach. By combining deep legal knowledge with practical business insight, the firm provides strategic advice tailored to advancing its clients’ objectives. With a culture rooted in collaboration and excellence, Dechert continues to serve as a trusted advisor to clients navigating high-stakes transactions, disputes, and regulatory landscapes worldwide.

“David Jones is chairman emeritus of the employee benefits and executive compensation practice at Dechert. He is a distinguished attorney who offers counsel on retirement and welfare benefit matters, and is also well versed in executive compensation.”
Chambers & Partners