Dentons has launched a previously announced combination with leading Zambian law firm, Eric Silwamba, Jalasi and Linyama Legal Practitioners, as part of its strategy to scale across Africa. In 2020, Dentons has announced 25 new offices around the world in an environment where other law firms are standing still, contracting or withdrawing from key markets. 

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.

The combination with Eric Silwamba, Jalasi and Linyama Legal Practitioners advances Dentons’ strategy to become the leading Pan-African law firm owned and controlled by Africans. Dentons is now the largest global law firm in Zambia, helping clients to navigate the New Dynamic in 14 locations in Africa and 190 locations across 77 countries around the world. 

“Our launch in Zambia further builds upon our strategy to become the leading Pan-African law firm owned and controlled by Africans," said Elliott Portnoy, Global CEO of Dentons. “Clients want access to leading talent in the markets where they do business and we can now connect clients to opportunities in Zambia and around the globe."

"In the New Dynamic 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 it wherever they are located," said Joe Andrew, Global Chairman of Dentons. "I have spent considerable time with the leadership of Eric Silwamba, Jalasi and Linyama Legal Practitioners from our first meeting on the continent to now and am continuously impressed by how talented and enterprising our new colleagues are."

The new firm, to be branded Dentons Eric Silwamba Jalasi & Linyama, has more than 30 years of history in Zambia and is regarded as one of Zambia's top law firms with strengths in Banking and Finance, Corporate and Commercial Law, Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, Intellectual Property, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, and Tax Law. Dentons Eric Silwamba Jalasi & Linyama has three experienced partners and eight lawyers who are regarded for their deep understanding of regulation and the local business environment.

"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. "For more than 30 years Dentons Eric Silwamba Jalasi & Linyama has established itself as one of the top law firms in Zambia and our launch today, once again, enables Dentons to maintain and improve its quality as it grows."

''As part of Dentons, we can now offer our clients access to leading global talent and innovative business solutions to deliver high-quality service in Zambia and around the world," said Eric Silwamba, SC, Partner of Dentons Eric Silwamba Jalasi & Linyama.

In Africa, Dentons now has offices in:

In 2020 to date, Dentons has announced 25 new offices.

Dentons' partners approved a combination with leading Tanzanian law firm, East African Law Chambers (EALC) as part of its strategy to become the leading Pan-African law firm owned and controlled by Africans. In addition, Dentons has launched nine combinations:

• Dentons Bingham Greenebaum and Dentons Cohen & Grigsby, the inaugural member firms with Dentons US as part of Project Golden Spike;
• Dentons Kensington Swan in New Zealand;
• Dentons Lee in South Korea;
• Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga in Uruguay;
• Dentons Rattagan Macchiavello Arocena in Argentina;
• Dentons LEAD in Angola;
• Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar in the US as part of Project Golden Spike; and
• Dentons Eric Silwamba Jalasi & Linyama in Zambia.

Dentons has also opened offices in the British Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Ireland, Colombia and China.

About Dentons

Dentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.com