Dentons has launched a previously announced combination with a leading law firm in Chile to further its growth strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean, reinforcing its position as the leading pan-Latin America and the Caribbean law firm.

Dentons has combined with Larrain Rencoret Urzua in Chile, the fifth-largest economy in Latin America and the Caribbean and one of the most stable and dynamic countries in the region. The firm in Chile will now be known as Dentons.

“While our closest global competitor is located in only seven countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, with a presence in more than twice as many countries across the region, Dentons has a unique offering,” said Joe Andrew, Global Chair of Dentons.

This combination gives Dentons' clients access to the experience and talents of lawyers working in 78 countries. The combination uniquely positions Dentons to provide high-quality legal services to clients around the world.

The combination in Chile follows closely upon our recent expansion in Venezuela,  Nicaragua, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad & Tobago. These moves came in the wake of rapid expansion in Latin America and the Caribbean, with combinations with Delany Law and Dinner Martin in the Caribbean and a strategic alliance launched with Brazil's Vella Pugliese Buosi Guidoni, as well as  a combination with Gallo Barrios Pickmann in Peru. These also follow the earlier launch of Dentons Muñoz in Central America, and of Dentons López Velarde in Mexico and Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas in Colombia. This rapid growth is part of Dentons' long-term strategy to be the go-to firm in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Dentons and our new Chilean office share the vision of building a leading pan-Latin America and the Caribbean firm, one that allows them to follow the clients they currently serve into every corner of the continent and beyond,” said Elliott Portnoy, Global CEO of Dentons. “We remain focused on combinations with the most elite, high-quality firms and we are delighted to have come together with Larrain Rencoret Urzua whose team of talented lawyers will continue to position us extremely well in the region.”

The combination enhances Dentons in the areas of Projects and Infrastructure, Banking and Finance and Mergers and Acquisitions. In addition, Larrain Rencoret Urzua is particularly strong in Mining and Natural Resources, and Energy and Projects, and provides robust synergies with Dentons’ strengths in these areas.

“With this combination, Dentons will be one of only a handful of global law firms capable of offering clients full-service legal counsel and business solutions within Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Jorge Alers, CEO of Dentons Latin America and the Caribbean Region.

“Larrain Rencoret Urzua plans to leverage its combination with Dentons to increase its brand profile and to accelerate our ambitious growth strategies,” said Jose Manuel Larrain Rios, managing partner of Larrain Rencoret Urzua.