Dentons and McKenna Long & Aldridge confirmed late on Monday (30 September) that they are in merger talks to create a firm with more than 3,100 lawyers around the world.
The firms are reported to be aiming to complete the deal by 1 January 2014 and in response Dentons issued the following statement to the US media:
‘Since creating Dentons earlier this year, we have been very clear in our determination to always deepen our capabilities to serve clients in the U.S. and around the world.
‘This has included discussions with firms and lawyers for whom we have great respect and share common goals.
‘McKenna Long & Aldridge is one such firm, having built in the US, Europe, and Asia a very admirable team of lawyers and professionals with whom many of our people have worked for years.
‘While we continue to have discussions between our two firms and with our partners about the future, we do not have a relationship to announce.’
McKenna Long, which was formed from the 2002 merger of Atlanta’s Long Aldridge & Norman and Washington-based McKenna & Cuneo, said that it continues to explore ‘strategic opportunities that enhance the value of our practices and services, while expanding our geographic reach,’ adding, ‘Dentons, with 75 locations in more than 50 countries and a commitment to delivering creative, dynamic business and legal solutions, is one such firm.’
Dentons was formed from the three-way merger of SNR Denton, Salans and Canada’s Fraser Milner Casgrain, voted through in November 2012.
The combined firm has 2360 lawyers and its 2012/13 revenue figure was flat at £830m, with profit per equity partner also flat at £451,000.
caroline.hill@legalease.co.uk
