Dentons has launched a previously announced combination with a leading law firm in Morocco to further its growth strategy in Africa.
On a continent scarred by the legacy of colonial domination and in a market where the operations of every leading law firm are hierarchical, Dentons’ unique polycentric and anti-colonial approach has been a stark differentiator, disrupting the traditional model for providing legal services in Africa.
Dentons' combination with Sayarh & Menjra in Morocco builds on Dentons’ strategy to become the first Pan-African law firm owned and controlled by Africans and positions Dentons as the largest global law firm in Morocco, connecting clients to top-tier legal talent in Africa and more than 10,000 lawyers around the globe.
“We are building a Pan-African law firm through whole firm combinations of locally owned and controlled firms, that serve both local and global clients,” said Joe Andrew, Global Chair of Dentons. “The talented lawyers of Sayarh & Menjra are truly in and of their community and this newly launched combination demonstrates that our polycentric and anti-colonial growth strategy is resonating with quality law firms in Africa."
“Our enhanced presence in Morocco is client driven and builds upon our strategy to become the first Pan-African law firm owned and controlled by Africans,” said Elliott Portnoy, Global CEO of Dentons. “With more than 10,000 lawyers in 73 countries, we are able to meet client demands for a law firm that can deliver high-quality legal counsel and business solutions, informed by an in-depth understanding of the various cultures in which our clients operate."
The new firm, to be known as Dentons Sayarh & Menjra, has recognized strengths in Corporate and M&A, Banking & Finance, Energy, PPP, Projects, Competition, Intellectual Property and Trademarks, Labor and Employment, Natural Resources, Real Estate, and Litigation and Dispute Resolution.
“Sayarh & Menjra is a firm built on a tradition of innovation and legal excellence and our new combination significantly enhances our client offering," said Noor Kapdi, CEO of Dentons' Africa Region. "We are now one of the only firms capable of offering both legal advice and litigation services in Morocco as a Moroccan firm registered with the Casablanca Bar Council."
This combination, along with previous combinations in Kenya and Mauritius, and recently announced combinations in Angola, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, will strengthen the foundation for Dentons to become the dominant global law firm on the continent. Dentons is also now the largest global law firm in Morocco, Egypt and South Africa.
“As part of Dentons, we can now offer our clients access to leading global talent to deliver high-quality solutions in Morocco and around the world," said Omar Sayarh, Managing Partner, Dentons Sayarh & Menjra.
Including the launch in Morocco today, in 2019 Dentons' partners have led the profession by approving 12 combinations around the world. Dentons' partners have approved combinations with:
- Bingham Greenebaum and Cohen & Grigsby in the United States, the first step in forming the first truly national US law firm;
- Five firms in Africa; LEAD Advogados in Angola, Fernanda Lopes & Associados Advogados in Mozambique, Kyagaba and Otatiina Advocates in Uganda, Eric Silwamba, Jalasi and Linyama Legal Practitioners in Zambia and MawereSibanda in Zimbabwe;
- Two firms in Latin America and the Caribbean; Rattagan Macchiavello Arocena in Argentina and Jiménez de Aréchaga, Viana & Brause in Uruguay;
- Kensington Swan in New Zealand; and
- Lee International in South Korea.
Also in 2019, Dentons launched Dentons Venezuela in Venezuela, Dentons Larraín Rencoret in Chile and Dentons Muñoz Zacapa in Honduras.