World's Biggest Law Firm Gobbles Up Indian Firm, Gets Even Bigger In Historic Move
This is a major first. Congratulations!
Just when we thought that law firm merger activity was lagging, in steps the largest law firm in the world to even further expand its enormous footprint. Dentons has swooped in to swallow up yet another firm, and this time, the Biglaw behemoth is entering India’s legal market for the first time.
Earlier this week, Dentons announced that it would be combining with Indian law firm Link Legal, adding more than 100 lawyers in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad to its battalion of more than 20,000 attorneys across the globe. According to Dentons, this is the first time an international firm has combined with an Indian law firm, and thanks to its Swiss verein structure, Link Legal — or we should say Dentons Link Legal — will be able to work under the Dentons platform, all while maintaining control of its own affairs locally.
Here are some details from the firm’s press release:
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The combination with Link Legal would offer an established, physical presence in five of the six largest cities in India: Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. Dentons Link Legal Indian lawyers would represent clients inside India and Dentons lawyers would represent Link Legal’s clients outside of India, becoming one firm consistent with the rules and regulations of India.
“This is history in the making in India because this is not a joint venture, not a “best friends” relationship, not a “referral agreement,” but a combination as Dentons has done around the world,” said Joe Andrew, Global Chairman of Dentons. “The combination in India again makes Dentons not only a first-mover but a first-mover in a market that matters to our clients.”
“India will be the most populous country in the world next year with a fast-growing economy making it an increasingly important market for our clients around the world,” said Elliott Portnoy, Global CEO of Dentons. “This historic combination will allow Dentons to connect clients to leading talent in India and provide a seamless one firm experience in more than 200 locations around the globe.”
According to Andrew, the Dentons tie-up with Legal Link will launch “within the next couple of months.” Which firm will be the next to find a home under the gigantic Dentons umbrella? We suppose we’ll have to wait and see.
Dentons announces an historic combination with Link Legal in India [Dentons]
Dentons to combine with Indian law firm Link Legal [Reuters]
Dentons Announces Cooperation with Indian Law Firm Link Legal [American Lawyer]
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Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.
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