Dentons merger creates ‘world’s largest’ law firm
Law firms Dentons and China-based Dacheng Law Offices have joined forces to create what they say is the largest law firm in the world.
According to the new outfit, named Dentons, it is now the only law firm to offer services across Africa; Asia Pacific; Canada; Central Asia; Europe; the Middle East; Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Caucasus; the UK; the US; and all 34 of China's regional administrative divisions.
The original Dentons firm had several IP-related practices including IP and technology, life sciences and healthcare, and IP litigation, and more than 75 offices around the world.
Founded in 1992, Dacheng was one of the largest law firms in China. It was home to more than 4,000 lawyers, had 51 branches and offices across the country, and had specialised IP departments.
The new firm, announced on January 26, retains only the Dentons name when spoken but when written it also uses a logo incorporating the Chinese characters for Dacheng, 大成.
It now has offices in 120 locations across more than 50 countries, and employs more than 6,500 lawyers.
Andrew Joe, global chair of the new firm, said: "With more lawyers in more places where our clients do business, this combination is not about being the largest law firm in the world—it is about understanding what our clients need, and delivering it.”
