Dentons is on the expansion trail again with an announcement that it is linking up with NetherlandsDutch law firm Boekel in a deal expected to close in April. With the addition of the Amsterdam office, Dentons will have 26 offices in 18 countries across Europe. The firm opened an office in Milan in October 2015 and in Luxembourg and Rome last year. The news coincides with the announcement that Dentons has merged with Costa Rica-based Munoz Global making it the first global law firm to have a footprint across Central America.

Polycentric

'As the first polycentric law firm, we are committed to bringing our clients quality legal talent in the world’s most important business centres,” said Elliott Portnoy, Dentons’ Global CEO. “The Netherlands is the sixth largest economy in the European Union and a hub for international trade.  Due to its business-friendly climate, it is an attractive location for corporate headquarters and therefore a key market for our multinational clients.' Boekel is an Amsterdam-based law firm employing approximately 70 lawyers, including 16 partners.  

Expansion in Central America

The new combined firm will be known as DentonsMunoz. The merger follows the launch of Dentons López Velarde in Mexico and Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas in Colombia last year marking the next step in Dentons’ strategy to grow its presence in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Increase in cross-border work

The company said that since its launch in Mexico and Colombia last year, it had seen tremendous growth in cross-border work into and out of the region. Elliott Portnoy, Global Chief Executive Officer of Dentons, said that he expected growth to continue. ‘Given the interconnectedness of the economies of Costa Rica, Panama and Guatemala, we see real opportunity to provide a service other global firms cannot match.’