The firm is reportedly sending letters to nearly 50 former Luce Forward equity partners to alert them to an 'accounting error' that resulted in an over-distribution to the firm's partnership in 2012. The overpayment occurred in the months before Luce's merger with McKenna Long in 2012, and years prior to McKenna Long's tie-up with Dentons. The National Law Journal reports that two of the lawyers already contacted by Dentons were alerted to debts in excess of $30,000.
Those Luce Forward equity partners no longer connected with Dentons will reportedly be given the option to repay the claimed debt via a two-year interest-free loan. However, for those who still have capital balances (either because they are still partners or because they exited McKenna Long less than two years ago), it is understood that the outstanding debt will be debited from those accounts. Dentons has declined to comment on the matter publicly or confirm the details of its communication with the individuals involved, saying only that the letters are 'highly confidential' and in regards to 'reconciliation of a payroll matter relating to [Luce Forward's] 2012 merger with McKenna Long.' Sources: The National Law Journal; ABA Journal
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