Washington, D.C.—Dentons, the world's largest law firm, has voted to combine with Lee International, a leading law firm in South Korea, which has the 11th largest economy in the world and 4th largest economy in Asia.

This combination builds on Dentons’ strategy to become the first international law firm in South Korea to combine with a Korean law firm, which will enhance the firm’s ability to provide legal services to Korean companies as they do business around the world.  Dentons will be the only global law firm with a Korean legal practice.

Dentons' polycentric approach and "in and of the community" philosophy creates a competitive advantage in connecting talent to opportunity in South Korea. Dentons is the first global firm in which its South Korean operations would be 100% owned and controlled by Korean partners from the local community. This is not a traditional merger.

Both Lee International and Dentons share the vision of building the leading firm in South Korea, one that allows them to follow the clients they currently serve into every corner of the region.  Both firms are dedicated to a polycentric approach that values diversity and in and of the community roots. 

The combination in South Korea builds on the strength of the brand Dentons has already established in Seoul, together with Dentons’ combinations in China, Australia, and the ASEAN region, all of which have helped establish a reputation for excellence.  The combination will contribute to Dentons’ momentum in South Korea, making it a magnet for talent, future combinations and a breadth of services that few of its global competitors can match.

Lee International has a range of practice areas. It is consistently strong in key practice areas such as Intellectual Property, Mergers & Acquisitions, Finance, Real Estate, Corporate, Litigation/International Arbitrations, Entertainment, Labor and Employment, TMT and Biotech.  The combination will lead to significant synergies in light of Dentons' strengths in each of these areas.

South Korea has experienced one of the largest economic transformations of the past 60 years. It started as an agriculture-based economy in the 1960s, and it became the 11th largest economy in the world in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016.  South Korea has devoted extra attention to technology development and innovation to promote growth. Innovation and technology are the key factors that have underpinned South Korean export competitiveness and fueled the country's remarkable economic rise over the past decades.

The combination, subject to meeting applicable regulatory requirements, is expected to launch in the next several months.

Recently, Dentons announced its intention to combine with three leading law firms in seven days: Kensington Swan in New Zealand, Gustavo Zacapa y Asociados in Honduras, and Lee International in South Korea. Also in 2019, Dentons' partners have approved a combination with MawereSibanda in Zimbabwe and Dentons has launched Dentons Venezuela in Venezuela, and Dentons Larraín Rencoret in Chile. 

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