International behemoth eyeing Netherlands link

The world’s largest law firm may get just a little bigger

International behemoth eyeing Netherlands link
Global giant Dentons may soon get a little bigger if its merger with a Dutch law firm pushes through. Dentons is reportedly in talks with Boekel de Nerée, The Lawyer reported.

Dentons, the largest law firm in the world by lawyer headcount, is far larger than the Amsterdam-headquartered Boekel. On last year’s Global 100 published by The American Lawyer, the firm was said to have more than 6,500 lawyers in 50 countries. The business most recently generated US$2.12bn, or about $2.76bn, in revenues, according to the list.

Boekel, on the other hand, lists just 64 lawyers on its site – 39 of them are associates, three are of counsel, two are senior counsel, four are associate partners, and 16 are partners. In addition to its headquarters in the Netherlands, the firm also maintains an office in London.

Last month, Dentons opened its second office in Mexico in Monterrey City. It also opened a new office in Barbados.

Dentons sent Australasian Lawyer the following statement when asked for confirmation of the talks:
"Like every major law firm, we are constantly evaluating the market for opportunities to further enhance our business for the benefit of our clients. Given our desire to support our clients with the deepest and broadest experience possible, at any given time we are likely to be in discussion with many groups of individuals and firms across the world. We do not, however, make any comment on such discussions until they are complete to protect the privacy of those involved and to ensure our clients are the first to be informed of any enhancement to our Firm."

Marien Glerum, Boekel's CEO, said he is "not able to confirm or comment" at the moment.

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