Dentons has bolstered its Latin American presence by combining with Bolivian law firm Guevara & Gutiérrez, making it the only global law firm with an office in the Andean country.

The move follows its combination earlier this month with Ecuadorian firm Paz Horowitz Abogados, taking its Latin America and Caribbean office count to more than 30 across 27 countries. Guevara & Gutiérrez has offices in the capital La Paz and the country’s largest city Santa Cruz, specialising in banking and finance, corporate law, dispute resolution and energy and natural resources. The firm has 25 lawyers in total, including nine partners.

Elliott Portnoy, Dentons’ global CEO, said: “The combination with Guevara & Gutiérrez will position Dentons as the only global law firm in Bolivia and will continue Dentons’ momentum in Latin America and the Caribbean allowing us to better meet our clients’ needs.”

Guevara & Gutiérrez is led by founders Ramiro Guevara and Primitivo Gutiérrez, who launched the firm in 1989. Guevara’s practice focuses on commercial law, hydrocarbons and energy law, M&A, banking and finance, capital markets and commercial and investment arbitration. Gutiérrez’s practice focuses on labour law, social security, dispute resolution and tax law.

Guevara said: “Guevara & Gutiérrez and Dentons share the vision of building the dominant global law firm in Latin America and the Caribbean, one that allows us to follow the clients we currently serve into every corner of the region and world. Dentons’ commitment to excellence and unparalleled service are well matched with our own.”

Since first entering the region in 2016, Dentons now has more than 400 lawyers across Latin America.

Jorge Alers, CEO of Dentons’ Latin America and Caribbean business, said: “Our strategy to become the dominant global law firm in the region centres around combining with firms with the proven ability to offer high-quality legal services and business solutions in their home market. Guevara & Gutiérrez is a prestigious and leading firm in Bolivia, which has been identified by our clients as a key location for them to do business.”

Spanish firm ECIJA has also been stepping up its Latin America presence, announcing a combination earlier this month with Argentinian firm ELZEN, which followed a similar arrangement with Mexican firm Chacón & Rodríguez in January.