Dentons says is has strengthened the foundation for the firm to become the first Pan-African law firm owned and controlled by Africans, by forging combinations with leading firms in Angola, Morocco, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia

Pan-African

Dentons has announced combinations with five leading law firms in Angola, Morocco, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia. These combinations build on Dentons’ strategy to become the first pan-African law firm owned and controlled by Africans. These firms will help position Dentons as the largest global law firm in those countries from launch, connecting clients to top-tier legal talent in Africa and more than 10,000 lawyers around the globe. The firms are LEAD Advogados in Angola, Sayarh & Menjra in Morocco, Fernanda Lopes & Associados Advogados in Mozambique, Kyagaba and Otatiina Advocates in Uganda, and Eric Silwamba, Jalasi and Linyama Legal Practitioners in Zambia. These combinations follow the firm’s launch with Kenya's Hamilton, Harrison & Mathews and Dentons Mauritius, and its approved combination in Zimbabwe with MawereSibanda. Further, they build on the strength of the brand Dentons has already established in Egypt and South Africa, as well as enhance the firm's presence and capabilities in Morocco.

Polycentric approach

Highlighting the firms polycentric global approach, Elliott Portnoy, global ceo of Dentons, said, “The combination with these five firms builds upon our strategy to become the first Pan-African law firm owned and controlled by Africans.” Joe Andrew, global chair of Dentons, explained “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.” He added “This strategy is unique and is something that other firms in Africa, that are truly in and of each community, will understand and appreciate.” Dentons first entered the region with a legacy law firm in Egypt in 1964, and in 2017 created a new Africa Region, making Africa a distinct governance and organizational unit within the firm.