Dentons is now the first global law firm in Iowa and the combination continues the momentum of Project Golden Spike, helping clients navigate the New Dynamic Decade in 44 US locations

In 2020, Dentons accounted for 85% of all cross-border law firm combinations and is now the second best-known law firm in the world according to Acritas 

Dentons has launched a previously announced combination with Iowa’s leading law firm, Davis Brown Law Firm, now known as Dentons Davis Brown. In 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic and economic crisis, Dentons accounted for 85% of all cross-border combinations around the world in an environment where other law firms were standing still, contracting or withdrawing from key markets.

In the New Dynamic Decade, clients will continue to be confronted with constant, accelerated change and want to work with a law firm that has the experience and confidence to help them thrive wherever they are located. Dentons is the first law firm to institutionalize growth and the combination with Davis Brown continues the momentum of Project Golden Spike, a series of combinations dedicated to advancing the first truly national US law firm capable of helping clients across 44 US locations and 200 locations in 79 countries around the world.

“We are thrilled to be launching Dentons Davis Brown in Iowa, a location with a diversified economy and a priority market for our clients,” said Elliott Portnoy, Global CEO of Dentons. “Like Dentons, Dentons Davis Brown continues to be recognized for its high-quality legal service and focus on inclusion and diversity initiatives and together, we will be better positioned to not only meet but to exceed our clients’ needs.”

“As we enter a New Dynamic Decade, our clients will continue to face constant, accelerated change,” said Joe Andrew, Global Chairman of Dentons. “We are committed to scaling our presence through combinations with exceptional firms such as Davis Brown, the leader in the Iowa market, who have the experience and confidence needed to help our clients thrive.”

Iowa and Des Moines in particular are experiencing a wave of momentum in economic growth, population growth, and development. The state serves as a business hub for a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, agrobioscience, data centers, insurance, financial services, and technology. This combination expands Dentons’ geographic offering and further strengthens Dentons’ existing Midwest offices.

Dentons Davis Brown will enhance the depth and breadth of services available to clients among highly regarded practices, including Corporate, Employment, Healthcare, Insurance, Litigation, Construction, and Real Estate, as well as opportunities for growth through smart collaboration in areas including Immigration, Intellectual Property, Agriculture, Energy, Cross-Border M&A, Public Law, and Finance.

Renowned for its personal and academic excellence, creativity, integrity, and motivation, Dentons Davis Brown is ranked Band 1 by Chambers and Partners in all five practice areas available in the Iowa chapter of Chambers USA, and the firm has also been recognized as the Best Law Firm in Des Moines for 15 consecutive years by the Business Record, the preeminent business journal in Iowa.

“We are excited to be coming together with Dentons as we look to build a truly national law firm in the US – the world’s largest legal market,” said John Pietila, President of Dentons Davis Brown.  “This launch speaks to our commitment to our clients, and a demonstration of our focus on continuing to provide exceptional client service in Iowa, the US, and beyond.”

“The Golden Spike model is game-changing for firms like Davis Brown because we can offer comprehensive services to our clients not only nationally but also globally,” said Lori Chesser, Chair of the Immigration Department of Dentons Davis Brown. “Our clients will continue to work with the lawyers they know and trust while taking advantage of the resources and expertise Dentons provides.”

Project Golden Spike also enables outstanding US legal practices like Dentons Davis Brown to maintain their defining characteristics and provide in and of the community insight wherever clients need it.

“Now more than ever before, law firms need to adapt to the accelerated change that they face to meet the needs of their clients,” said Toby McClamroch, Managing Partner of Dentons United States Region. “This combination represents the next step in our journey to better serving our clients across the 100 largest legal markets in the US.”

So far, in 2021 Dentons has announced combinations with Ecuadorian law firm, Paz Horowitz Abogados, and Bolivian law firm, Guevara & Gutierrez, and launched Dentons EALC East African Law Chambers in Tanzania.