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Dentons expands in Australasia with New Zealand launch

Posted: 22nd September 2020

Dentons has launched a previously announced combination with Kensington Swan in New Zealand to further its Australasia growth strategy.

Along with previous combinations in Australia and Papua New Guinea, the launch strengthens the foundation for Dentons to become the preeminent global law firm in Australasia and positions Dentons as the largest global law firm in New Zealand.

With new offices in Auckland and Wellington, Dentons can now connect clients to a team of more than 100 lawyers in New Zealand who can meet the needs of clients across a wide range of industries.

“Clients identified the New Zealand market as a priority and our launch in New Zealand means that we can now meet client needs in New Zealand and connect clients to 10,000+ lawyers in 182 locations and 74 countries around the globe,” said Elliott Portnoy, Global CEO of Dentons.

“Our combination with leading law firm Kensington Swan in New Zealand will continue Dentons’ momentum in Australasia, enabling us to attract even more talent in this important region for Dentons and our clients globally,” said Joe Andrew, Global Chair of Dentons.

“Dentons has seen significant growth in the region since 2016 and with new offices in Auckland and Wellington Dentons is now a regional powerhouse who can provide clients with access to legal talent in all of the major Australasian markets,” said Doug Stipanicev, CEO of Dentons’ Australasia Region.

Dentons Kensington Swan is recognized as a leader in the Financial Markets, Infrastructure and Government sectors and has a strong reputation in the Environment, Education, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, Manufacturing, Healthcare and Energy sectors. The combination leads to significant synergies in light of Dentons’ strengths in each of these areas.

David Campbell, Board Chair of Dentons Kensington Swan said, “We are thrilled to launch our combination with Dentons as we can now provide clients with the greatest access to top-tier legal talent in the most locations, worldwide.”

“As part of Dentons, we can now offer clients access to innovative legal and business solutions in more of the markets where they do business around the globe,” confirmed Charles Spillane, CEO of Dentons Kensington Swan.

Dentons’ partners approved more whole-firm combinations in 2019 than any other law firm. So far in 2020, Dentons has launched Dentons Bingham Greenebaum and Dentons Cohen & Grigsby, the first step in forming a truly national law firm in the United States as part of Dentons’ “Project Golden Spike.

Business Comment

Business Comment is the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s bi-monthly magazine. It provides insight on Edinburgh’s vibrant business community, with features on the city’s key sectors, interviews with leading figures and news on new business developments in the capital.
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