Dentons becomes the first global law firm to combine with a law firm in India
May 15, 2023 - Dentons has launched its previously announced combination with leading Indian law firm, Link Legal. Dentons—adding to a string of "firsts" that have reshaped the global legal industry—is the first global law firm to combine with a law firm in India, giving the combined firm a first-mover advantage to connect clients to opportunities in a vibrant and fast-growing economy.
Dentons' unique "polycentric" model allows Dentons to combine with high-quality firms in many jurisdictions and the launch of Dentons Link Legal in India positions the combined firm to serve clients in what is now the most populous nation in the world. Dentons Link Legal's outstanding reputation as a leading firm in India, coupled with Dentons' worldwide reach, will enable the combined firm to help clients Grow, Protect, Operate, and Finance what is important to them in India and in 214 offices across 83 countries around the world.
Through this combination with Link Legal, Dentons now has an established presence in five of the six largest cities in India: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. Dentons Link Legal Indian lawyers will represent clients inside India and Dentons lawyers will represent Link Legal's clients outside of India.
"We are committed to meeting and exceeding the needs of our clients who are increasingly becoming global," said Atul Sharma, Executive Chairman of Dentons Link Legal. "With the launch of Dentons Link Legal, we are now both local and global, allowing us to connect our clients to leading legal talent around the world while continuing to be wholly owned, controlled and managed by Indian lawyers in India."
"Given India's prominent position on the world stage, this is an important moment for our Firm and for our clients," said Elliott Portnoy, Global CEO of Dentons. "We have always viewed India as a vibrant and strategically important market and as the first global law firm in India, through our combination with Link Legal, we are now able to connect our clients to leading talent in the world's most populous country which boasts a thriving economy and immeasurable opportunities for client collaboration."
Dentons Link Legal is a leading full-service law firm with more than 19 practice areas and 150 lawyers and professionals, including over 40 partners. It is pre-eminent in infrastructure, corporate, litigation, finance and technology, providing end-to-end client support across transactional and contentious matters. Dentons Link Legal has the third highest per lawyer percentage of Chambers and Legal 500 rankings in India. The partners of the firm are widely recognized and highly regarded for their experience and expertise and their hands-on approach to transactions.
"Our longstanding and trusted relationship with the leadership at Dentons Link Legal made them an obvious combination partner for Dentons in this most important market," said Noor Kapdi, CEO of Dentons' Africa Region. "This will truly be a combination that accelerates Dentons' journey from Largest to Leading."
With five offices, Dentons can now connect its clients to leading Indian talent across India:
