The new combination - to be known as Dentons US in the USA - will have a total of 6,600 lawyers and professionals, according to the participating firms. That is just 100 more than the Dentons-Dachung combination said it had when it was created in January. Dentons explained this in a statement: 'Dentons has gained lawyers since the ..[Dachung] announcement. The way the category of "lawyers and professionals" is counted differs from region-to-region. Through the integration process with [Dachung]... we have decided to take the most conservative figure approach on a go-forward basis, which does not include a category of several hundred lawyers in China who are awaiting final certification. That category accounts for the difference in the number announced in January and the current 6600 lawyers and professionals - including the outstanding 1100 lawyers and professionals in the US - that we will have once both the combination and the merger are effective later this year.'

Sectors

The number of offices increases from 120 to 125 through the newly-announced combination. On the website which explains the merger, the firms state: 'The combination of Dentons and McKenna Long will strengthen virtually every practice and sector.' They mention several practice sectors which will benefit in particular - including US capital markets, tax, health and life sciences and insurance.

Overwhelming percentage

Dentons said in a statement: 'The overwhelming percentage of economic interest of both firms approved the merger and will be combining together. By mutual decision, not all lawyers and professionals will join the combined firm. By agreement with those not joining, announcements will be made when individuals determine where they are going to continue their careers.'

Numerical breakdown

In a further statement, Dentons said: 'The numbers, which are always estimates until launch, are more than 6200 lawyers and professionals for Dentons and [Dachung]...and more than 400 lawyers and professionals for McKenna Long.'

Source: Dentons