The firm says it continues to extend its global arm “in an environment where law firms are closing offices”
Dentons has expanded to Tanzania with the announcement of a new combination.
The international firm looks to combine with top Tanzanian firm East African Law Chambers (EALC), which will make Dentons the biggest global law firm in Tanzania.
“The combination with EALC builds upon our strategy to become the leading Pan-African law firm owned and controlled by Africans and located in key markets,” Dentons global CEO Elliott Portnoy said. “Tanzania is a priority market for our clients given its strategic importance in the region and with this combination we can connect clients to leading talent in Tanzania and around the globe.”
EALC is a five-partner firm with a strong reputation when it comes to banking and finance, capital markets and securities, competition, M&A, corporate and commercial, employment and labour, IP, dispute resolution, mining, oil and gas, real estate, taxation and tax law, telecommunications, media and technology. The firm’s managing partner, Stella Ndikimi, said that EALC’s vision is to “become a leading tax and legal firm within the region” – a vision shared by Dentons.
“Dentons’ global strategy matches our strategy to connect clients to leading talent not only within the region but globally,” Ndikimi said.
EALC’s status in Tanzania enables Dentons to “once again, maintain and improve its quality as it grows,” Dentons Africa CEO Noor Kapdi said.
“Dentons’s strategy is focused on finding combination firms who have the proven ability to offer sophisticated, high-quality legal services and business solutions in their home markets,” Kapdi said.
The combination is pending approval by Dentons partners, and is subject to regulatory requirements.
Dentons launched its Africa region in 2017. Since then, the firm has combined with Hamilton, Harrison & Mathews (Kenya), Mardemootoo Solicitors and Balgobin Chambers (Mauritius), LEAD Advogados (Angola), Sayarh & Menjra (Morocco), Fernanda Lopes & Associados Advogados (Mozambique), Kyagaba & Otatiina Advocates (Uganda), Eric Silwamba, Jalasi and Linyama Legal Practitioners (Zambia) and MawereSibanda (Zimbabwe).
Dentons said that the Africa region is “a distinct governance and organisational unit within the law firm” and guarantees that “combination partners within the region will join the firm as members of Dentons, retaining local control of their governance and financial decisions while also securing a voice in the global governance of the firm.”
“Our clients are confronted with constant, accelerated change and want to work with a law firm that has the experience and confidence to help them navigate the ‘new dynamic’ wherever they are located,” Dentons global chairman Joe Andrew said. “In an environment where law firms are closing offices, Dentons remains committed to serving its clients now and in the future in more locations than any other law firm.”
