This expansion puts in place another piece of Dentons' strategy, offering clients talent from diverse backgrounds and countries, with local knowledge and deep experience in every legal tradition in the world, and follows last week's news that Dentons and ?? (pronounced "da CHUNG"), a leading law firm in China, will combine to form the largest law firm in the world.
"Following the news of our exciting combination with ??, our expansion in South Africa further underscores our commitment to bringing clients comprehensive solutions that are simply not available elsewhere," said Joe Andrew, global chairman of Dentons.
"Many of the best known brands in the world care about Black Empowerment qualified service providers, and as the first global law firm to be Level 1 B-BBEE qualified in South Africa, Dentons not only demonstrates its polycentric positioning but offers our clients a true choice."
"South Africa is an exciting and sophisticated commercial market, as well as an important gateway for the Southern Africa region," said global chief executive officer, Elliott Portnoy. "Our Johannesburg launch will tap into that dynamism and enhance our service offerings for international clients, especially those in the energy, infrastructure, mining, transport and finance sectors. Very few global firms can match our geographical scope or depth of service in these sectors, here or abroad."
Dentons currently supports clients in more than 75 locations across more than 50 countries around the world. Eighteen of those countries are in Africa, providing seamless local support through the Firm's extensive network of African offices and associate firms. The combination with ?? will grow that already expansive footprint to 6,500 lawyers and professionals in more than 120 locations.
Dentons' Cape Town office opened in April 2014, through its combination with local firm KapdiTwala, led by managing partner, Noor Kapdi.
"The Johannesburg opening and expansion in South Africa truly showcases Dentons' commitment to Africa and its clients," said Kapdi. Kapdi's team is regularly listed among the most prominent oil and gas lawyers in South Africa and the continent at large. "We anticipate growth in the energy, infrastructure and transport industries. The new Johannesburg office will buttress Dentons' renowned global energy practice, position the firm for significant developments on the continent and provide us with an opportunity to tailor our local offering."
By expanding the firm's capabilities and reach across South Africa, Dentons' clients - from Asia, Canada, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, the United Kingdom and the US - will have an unrivalled access point for legal services in a vibrant continental economy. Foreign investment in African economies reached a record high in 2014 with countries including the United States, Italy, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Japan, China, India and Brazil driving growth, according to a 2014 report by the African Development Trade Group.
As part of Dentons' commitment to serve the communities in which it operates, the firm will create jobs, support a transformation in the legal services industry and transfer an international skillset that can contribute towards the local economy. The firm continues to be a Level 1 B-BBEE status firm, 100% owned by local partners. Through its relationship with The Black Lawyers Association, the firm will also be offering five bursaries in Polokwane, East London, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town.
The grants will allow trainee attorneys to complete a six months Professional Legal Training course - specifically assisting graduates who were unable to secure the two years of articles required before they can be admitted as an attorney - thereby reducing the period of articles of clerkship to one year.
