Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, yesterday September 22nd announced a proposed combination with what it says is one of Tanzania’s leading law firm- East African Law Chambers (EALC).
The combination with EALC according to a media statement by the law firm, “advances Dentons’ strategy to become the leading Pan-African law firm owned and controlled by Africans.”
“The combination will position Dentons as the largest global law firm in Tanzania from launch, helping clients to navigate the New Dynamic in 14 locations in Africa and 189 locations across 77 countries around the world,” said the statement.
EALC has five partners and 13 lawyers and is according to the media statement, “a recognized leader in Banking and Finance, Capital Markets and Securities, Competition, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate and Commercial, Employment and Labor, Intellectual Property, Dispute Resolution, Mining, Oil and Gas, Real Estate, Taxation and Tax law, Telecommunications, Media and Technology.”
Dentons in their statement further said that the combination would lead to significant synergies in light of Dentons’ strengths in each of these areas.
“Dentons’ 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,” said Noor Kapdi, CEO of Dentons’ Africa Region.
“EALC is a leading firm in Tanzania, enabling Dentons to, once again, maintain and improve its quality as it grows,” Kapdi added.
Elliott Portnoy, Global CEO of Dentons said that the combination with EALC builds upon the global firm’s strategy to “become the leading Pan-African law firm owned and controlled by Africans and located in key markets.”
“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,” he said.
On his part, Joe Andrew, the Global Chairman of Dentons said that, 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.”
“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,” added Andrew.
How Stanbic Bank CFO Ronald Makata Blends Governance, Technology and Human Leadership to Drive PerformanceStella Ndikimi, the Managing Partner of EALC said the move was a game-cahnger for her firm.
“Like Dentons, EALC’s vision is to become a leading tax and legal firm within the region. Dentons’ global strategy matches our strategy to connect clients to leading talent not only within the region but globally,” she added.
The combination, following approval by partners and subject to meeting regulatory requirements, is expected to launch in the next several months.
20 new offices in 2020
Since joining with South Africa’s KapdiTwala in 2015, to create the first Level 1 Black Economic Empowerment qualified global law firm in South Africa, Dentons has been on an expansion spree on the African continent.
Following the South African combination, in 2017, Dentons created a new Africa Region, making Africa a distinct governance and organizational unit within the law firm and guaranteeing 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.
In October 2017, Dentons proceeded to combine with Kenya’s Hamilton, Harrison & Mathews in Kenya and Mardemootoo Solicitors and Balgobin Chambers in Mauritius. In 2019, Dentons’ partners approved six combinations in Africa, namely: LEAD Advogados in Angola, Sayarh & Menjra in Morocco, Fernanda Lopes & Associados Advogados in Mozambique; Kyagaba & Otatiina Advocates in Uganda, Eric Silwamba, Jalasi and Linyama Legal Practitioners in Zambia and MawereSibanda in Zimbabwe.
Dennis Otatiina, the Managing Partner at Kyagaba & Otatiina Advocates, the Uganda Dentons law firm said the deal strengthens the Dentons seamless offering in the region.
‘The bond between Uganda and Tanzania has always been present; amongst the people, the economy and in business. The combination will foster this bond by giving our clients doing business in the East African region, a seamless and integrated service,” he said.
Altogether, this 2020, Dentons has added 20 new offices around the world in an environment where other law firms are standing still, contracting or withdrawing from key markets.
