Dentons set to expand across the Pacific Rim

Dentons’ expansion in the Pacific Rim is a reflection of the importance of the region for international commerce in terms of trade, finance and manufacturing, as trade groups, agreements and initiatives recently established, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, demonstrate growth in the region. The partnership with Gadens will enhance offerings in Banking and Finance, Property and Construction and Energy and Resources while collaborating with Rodyk in Singapore will boost Corporate, Finance, Intellectual Property and Technology, Litigation and Arbitration, and Real Estate practices.

The firm announced the intended collaboration with the Singapore firm Rodyk & Davidson and Australian Gadens in a year that has also seen an alliance established with China’s Dacheng Law Offices. The new partnerships will operate in a Swiss verein structure, permitting them to operate as legally and financially separate entities under the Dentons brand. Upon launch, the combined Dentons-Dacheng will count approximately 6,600 lawyers, operating from more than 125 locations spanning over 50 countries. The firm  undertook  significant expansion in 2015, having merged with DC-based McKenna Long in July, established  a Milan presence, reinforced  its venture technology startup presence in New York’s SoHo, and boosted the Budapest office with around 50 local partners.

Gadens has more than 500 lawyers and 550 professional staff in its 7 offices in the Asia Pacific region, including Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Rodyk & Davidson is Singapore’s first law firm, founded in 1861, with an offering of over 200 lawyers, having acted in high profile Chinese and Singaporean cases.

Several international firms have been establishing a presence in Asia over the past few months, with Allen & Overy expanding in Seoul and China openings from Garrigues and Dorsey & Whitney, all in September 2015.

Photo: Dentons

F. A. E. M.

Read more insight regarding international legal services markets in our recently published International Report of Top 100 Law Firms.