Dentons has announced its fifth merger of 2015 and today (25 November) confirmed a tie-up with Luxembourg firm OPF Partners, a deal which will add 34 lawyers including nine partners to the roster and incorporate the latter firm into Dentons’ European LLP.
The merger will take effect on 1 January 2016 and give Dentons additional expertise in the areas of banking, corporate, investment funds, tax, real estate, and disputes.
Dentons Europe chief executive Tomasz Dąbrowski said the ‘transaction implements another top priority under our strategic plan for Europe’ which the firm will ‘continue to focus on in 2016 and the coming years.’
European expansion this year has included the launch of an office in Milan, it’s first in Italy, with the hire of 21 lawyers, including three partners from DLA Piper, and hiring a 50-strong team from the Budapest office of White & Case.
Just weeks ago Dentons approved a tripartite union with Australian firm Gadens and Singaporean firm Rodyk & Davidson, taking the firm’s lawyer headcount to well in excess of 7,000 lawyers. Its most high profile deal this year was a mammoth combination with Chinese firm Dacheng under a Swiss verein structure.
On the latest tie-up, Dentons chair Joe Andrew said: ‘By listening to our clients and planning our strategy around their business goals, we are creating the law firm of the future.’
European board chair Evan Lazar said: ‘Luxembourg plays a key role in the global and European investment fund and private equity sector, which is one of our core areas of focus and strategy.’
OPF Partners managing partner Frédéric Feyten added: ‘We have always been committed to innovatively supporting local and international clients on the full spectrum of their Luxembourg projects. This combination will strengthen our capabilities in delivering pinpointed legal advice on a global scale. Luxembourg has achieved its status as a leading financial centre, the largest European investment fund centre, and a major private equity hub through its excellent services, international open-mindedness and stability.’
sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk
