Dentons announces Gadens merger

Dentons set to enter the Aussie market through a merger with Gadens.

Dentons has announced a three-way merger with Australian firm Gadens and Singaporean firm Rodyk & Davidson, subject to a partner vote.

Denton’s global chief executive Elliot Portnoy and chairman Joe Andrew announced the deal overnight.

Partners at all three firms will vote on the merger in mid November, according to a report by The Lawyer, with an announcement expected shortly after.

“What we’ve done today is announce that the leadership has made a recommendation to partners, with a vote to take place in mid November,” Andrew told The Lawyer.

“All of the partners of all the firms are considering the combination right now.”

Portnoy and Andrew indicated that they do not expect any regulatory challenges due to the firm’s Swiss Verein structure.

“Once the votes are in and tallied we would then work for the leadership of Gadens and Rodyk and focus on launching the combination in early 2016,” said Portnoy.

Gadens, a 500-lawyer firm with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Singapore and Port Moresby offers Dentons an Australia-wide presence.  Rodyk & Davidson offers both Singapore and Shanghai resources.

The Australian Financial Review estimated this morning that the merger will increase Denton’s number of lawyers from 6600 to 7300 globally.  

Recent articles & video

Allens assists Seraya Partners with landmark acquisition of ASX lister

Law Council of Australia, ACT Bar call out underfunding in legal aid sector

NSW Law Soc, LexisNexis team up on AI Glossary

Report recommends US federal courts award monetary damages for workplace misconduct

Report highlights racial challenges faced by South Asian partners in the UK

Michael Best & Friedrich enters California market by absorbing Los Angeles law firm

Most Read Articles

Revealing the top influencers in Australia’s legal profession for 2024

HSF helps consortium wth Ulinda Park BESS project financing

Federal Court fines employer for failing to issue payslips

Lander & Rogers brings in digital economy practice head