The global law firm Dentons, the Chinese firm 大成, the Singapore firm Rodyk & Davidson, and the Australian firm Gadens, are considering a combination that would secure the position of the world’s largest law firm as the dominant global leader in the Pacific Rim.

Recognizing clients' needs for seamless, integrated and in and of the community representation in today's global economy, the partners at Dentons, 大成, Gadens and Rodyk see the potential value in a combination that will support better client service globally.

Following transformative combinations in China and the United States, the proposed combination represents a key step in Dentons' pivot to the Pacific Rim as it establishes a greater presence in locations that continue to grow in importance for international commerce.

A number of trade groups, agreements and initiatives underline the importance of the Pacific Rim. The recently announced Trans-Pacific Partnership, China’s 21st Century Maritime Silk Road infrastructure program, the efforts to form the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by year’s end and the Latin American Pacific Alliance all point to the importance of the region as an engine of trade, finance and manufacturing.

"By any objective standard, Dentons has accomplished more for our clients in one year than any other firm in recent history, and the year is not over yet,” said Joe Andrew, Global Chairman, Dentons. “Our clients tell us that our commitment to bring them more experience in key markets around the world — including through the combination with 大成, the merger with McKenna Long, the establishment of our SoHo New York team, the leading 50-plus lawyer team joining in Budapest, the opening of our Milan location, and now the combinations with Gadens in Australia and Rodyk in Singapore — is significant in helping support their business needs locally, nationally and globally."

"This combination is about capturing talent for the benefit of our clients, and doing so in a way that complements the polycentric approach and innovative spirit on which our firm was built," said Elliott Portnoy, Global Chief Executive Officer, Dentons. "In these firms we recognize a similar ambition to bring clients more, to challenge the accepted and to add value in everything we do."

The proposed combination would bring Gadens and Rodyk the ability to follow their clients across the world, and enhances each firm's ability to service their clients from Asia Pacific.

The combination would see Gadens’ substantial strengths in Finance, Real Estate and Energy, and Rodyk's significant Litigation and Arbitration, Banking and Finance, Corporate, IP and Technology and Real Estate experience, combining with market-leading global practices at Dentons and 大成's unrivaled position in the China market. It will also bring together firms with established reputations for service excellence and innovation in legal services.

“We have been considering opportunities to support Gadens’ ability to meet in-bound client needs from Asia Pacific into Australia, as well as supporting our clients with global business interests and the combination with Dentons provides us with an ideal opportunity,” said Ian Clarke, Gadens National Chairman.

“Rodyk’s own forward-looking approach, international outlook, and the desire to provide a comprehensive suite of legal services to clients with cross-border business needs, has led it to this historic opportunity, to become part of the world’s biggest and leading, law firm,” said Philip Jeyaretnam SC, Managing Partner of Rodyk & Davidson LLP.

"China has continued to steadily expand its economic and trade relationships with both Australia and Singapore," said Jinquan Xiao, Senior Partner and Head of the Supervising Committee of 大成. "Gadens and Rodyk offer the experience and quality our clients want in these markets that will only continue to grow in importance in China and beyond."

Dentons has a comprehensive offering with significant experience that spans 24 sectors and 39 practices. If the combination is approved, Dentons will have more than 80 offices in countries that touch the Pacific Rim alone.

Australia:

The combination with Gadens will enhance offerings in the Banking and Finance, Property and Construction, and Energy and Resources sectors, and delivers significant practice strengths in Corporate Advisory and Tax, Insurance and Insolvency, Intellectual Property and Technology, Dispute Resolution, Government, Employment and Safety, and Planning and Environment.

Singapore:

Rodyk brings the depth of Singapore's oldest law practice, and significant depth in the practices of Corporate, Finance, Intellectual Property and Technology, Litigation and Arbitration, and Real Estate.

If approved, once the combination with 大成 is effective, the proposed firm's name will be Dentons in English and all other languages, and 大成 in Chinese.