Key mergers and associations
New alliance for Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance announced that its co-operation with the newly established Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) in Saudi Arabia became effective. The new co-operation replaces the stand-alone Clifford Chance Law Firm that was established in 2013. AS&H has been formed by three past and present members of Clifford Chance’s talented and widely recognised cohort of senior Saudi lawyers: Majid Al-Sheikh and Mansoor Al-Hagbani, along with Dr. Fahad Abuhimed, most recently a deputy minister at the Ministry of Commerce and Investment. Dr. Fahad is an alumnus of Al-Jadaan & Partners Law Firm, Clifford Chance’s former Saudi association firm, and previously spent a year on secondment to Clifford Chance. AS&H in co-operation with Clifford Chance offers Saudi and international support across corporate / M&A, finance, equity and debt capital markets, anti-trust and competition, privatisations, financial services, real estate and construction, legislative drafting, regulatory, public policy and dispute resolution. The co-operation replaces the operating arrangements established by Clifford Chance in Saudi Arabia in 2013.
Dentons launches in Australia
Dentons has formalised its combination with offices of the nearly century-old Australian law firm Gadens, solidifying its position as one of the Pacific Rim’s leading law firm. Dentons now serves 84 markets in Pacific Rim countries, more than any other law firm. Clients in Australia and around the world now benefit from the local experience of 7,600 Dentons lawyers serving 57 countries on six continents.
“The launch of Dentons in Australia and Papua New Guinea is another step in our drive to connect clients around the world to lawyers who know the communities, the culture and the business and legal environment of the markets in which clients need a matter addressed or a dispute resolved,” said Joe Andrew, Dentons global chairman.
In keeping with its polycentric nature, which emphasises market-specific sensitivities in determining how to best serve clients, Dentons has adopted multiple operational models with the various members of the Gadens joint venture.
Dentons will have offices in Sydney and Perth in Australia and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. The firm will also be able to meet client needs in Brisbane and Adelaide.
Dentons and Muñoz Global approve combinations
Dentons and Costa-Rica’s Muñoz Global have agreed to combine to create the first global law firm with offices in Central America.
The combination will enable Muñoz Global’s clients to access the experience of more than 7,600 lawyers, 9,900 timekeepers and 13,600 people, working from 147 locations in 60 countries. In turn, Dentons clients will enjoy the benefits of leading lawyers in Central America. At launch, the new firm will be known in Central America as Dentons Muñoz, with offices in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.
Eversheds & Sutherland in active discussions
Eversheds and Sutherland have confirmed they are in discussions regarding a proposed combination. The firms have presented a proposal to their partners and will run their internal processes concurrently with a formal vote by both partnerships likely to take place before year-end. A new entity called Eversheds Sutherland, overseen by a global Board and with equal representation from each firm, would be created by this transaction.
The rationale for the proposed transaction is driven by a shared vision of providing clients with high-quality, consistent and coordinated service around the globe. Across Eversheds and Sutherland, there are more than 2,300 lawyers with a global footprint spanning 61 offices in 29 countries.
Both firms appreciate that there will be interest in the subject but it would be inappropriate to comment further until discussions with each firm’s partnership have concluded.
