Dentons' partners around the globe, along with the partners of Bingham Greenebaum and Cohen & Grigsby, have voted to approve the three-firm combination in the United States. The combination is the initial step in forming a truly national United States law firm and is the largest US law firm combination by revenue and headcount so far this year.

The US is the largest legal market in the world, yet US law firms are disproportionately small relative to the size of the market. No full service law firm has offices in all 20 of the largest US legal markets, much less the top 100. This is despite the considerable pressure for consolidation from clients who want to reduce the number of firms they use and the corresponding need for law firms to be of sufficient scale that they can support the myriad specialties clients demand.

Building on Dentons' global polycentric model, the new national partnership – beginning with Dentons US, Bingham Greenebaum and Cohen & Grigsby – will increase the quality and breadth of service to clients on a national and global scale, while also enabling member firms to retain their defining characteristics and provide in and of the community insight wherever clients need it.

"Our innovative one firm, dual partnership model, beginning with this combination, has client service at its core," said Joe Andrew, Global Chair of Dentons. "Member firms are able to protect and promote the culture that has made them a magnet for clients while also becoming partners in a national partnership that incents them to work collaboratively, with a shared commitment to quality client service."

"Dentons' global polycentric approach that focuses on the client experience by finding elite 'in and of the community' firms to combine with has seen Dentons become not only the largest but also the most awarded law firm globally, said Elliott Portnoy," Global CEO of Dentons. "Dentons now brings its innovative client-centric model to the largest legal market in the world."

"Our new partnership will allow us to significantly expand our talent and capabilities in the United States," said Mike McNamara, CEO of Dentons US. "This is the first step in building a truly national US law firm capable of meeting the evolving needs and priorities of clients from coast to coast."

This combination will enhance the depth and breadth of services to clients resulting from collaboration among highly regarded Bankruptcy, Corporate, Emerging Businesses/Venture Tech, Employee Benefits, Energy, Financial Services, Global Mobility, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, M&A, Private Equity, Real Estate and Trusts & Estates/Wealth Management practices at each firm. Each member firm also has specific strengths that can be leveraged efficiently to the advantage of the other member firms, such as Bingham Greenebaum's economic development experience, Cohen & Grigsby’s M&A and private equity practices, and Dentons’ strength in capital markets. The three member firms will be better positioned to serve major clients they already share, while also expanding relationships and services to clients they do not currently serve.

The combination is expected to launch in January 2020.

In addition to the combination of Dentons US, Bingham Greenebaum and Cohen & Grigsby approved today, in 2019 Dentons' partners have led the profession by approving 10 combinations around the world. Dentons' partners have recently approved combinations with six firms in Africa, LEAD Advogados in Angola, Sayarh & Menjra in Morocco, Fernanda Lopes & Associados Advogados in Mozambique, Kyagaba and Otatiina Advocates in Uganda, Eric Silwamba, Jalasi and Linyama Legal Practitioners in Zambia and MawereSibanda in Zimbabwe. In Latin America and the Caribbean, they have approved combinations with Rattagan Macchiavello Arocena in Argentina and Jiménez de Aréchaga, Viana & Brause in Uruguay. They have also approved combinations with Kensington Swan in New Zealand and Lee International in South Korea. Also in 2019, Dentons launched Dentons Venezuela in Venezuela, Dentons Larraín Rencoret in Chile and Dentons Muñoz Zacapa in Honduras.

About Dentons

Across over 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com