Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, announced today that it will enter the Netherlands through a combination with respected Dutch law firm Boekel. The partners of both firms have approved the deal, which is expected to close in April 2017. With the addition of the Amsterdam office, Dentons will have 26 offices in 18 countries across Europe.

“This is a landmark achievement in furthering our strategy for Europe,” said Tomasz Dabrowski, Chief Executive Officer for Dentons Europe. “Two years ago, we set out our vision for growth, with an ambitious goal to enter three new markets: Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. We opened in Milan in October 2015, and in Luxembourg and Rome last year, and are now continuing the momentum with our combination in Amsterdam.”

“As the first polycentric law firm, we are committed to bringing our clients quality legal talent in the world’s most important business centers,” said Elliott Portnoy, Dentons’ Global CEO. “The Netherlands is the sixth largest economy in the European Union and a hub for international trade. Due to its business-friendly climate, it is an attractive location for corporate headquarters and therefore a key market for our multinational clients.”

Boekel is an Amsterdam-based law firm employing approximately 70 lawyers, including 16 partners. The firm provides clients with full service legal advice, with a particular focus on real estate, corporate and litigation.

As a result of the combination, Boekel’s clients will gain access to the experience of more than 7,800 lawyers in more than 60 countries around the world.

“As a dynamic young firm, committed to challenging the status quo, the team at Boekel is an excellent cultural fit for Dentons. We share a common vision and values – particularly in the area of innovation. We look forward to working with the team there as we continue our journey to build the law firm of the future today,” said Joe Andrew, Global Chairman at Dentons.

Wendela Raas, Managing Partner of Boekel, said, “Our clients will continue to receive the same personalized and practical advice they have come to expect from Boekel, while at the same time benefitting from Dentons’ unmatched global reach. ”

Marien Glerum, CEO of Boekel, said, “We are very excited to be joining Dentons, which will provide us with an excellent platform for further growth and development within the Netherlands, particularly in the Corporate, M&A and Banking and Finance practices. Furthermore, we can directly benefit from Dentons’ innovations in legal technology. The combination makes us even more attractive as a firm for ambitious lawyers.”

Name and brand

Globally the firm operates under the name "Dentons" in English and all other languages except for Chinese. In Chinese, the firm is known as "大成".

Dentons and its combination partners have always sought to capitalize on strong legacy brands through a conscientious, innovative brand migration strategy that captures the goodwill which the lawyers and professionals of each foundational firm have built with existing clients in the regions they serve, while simultaneously developing and supporting the Dentons brand around the world. At launch, the new firm will be known in the Netherlands as Dentons Boekel.

About Dentons

Dentons is the world’s largest law firm, delivering quality and value to clients around the globe. Dentons is a leader on the Acritas Global Elite Brand Index, a BTI Client Service 30 Award winner and recognized by prominent business and legal publications for its innovations in client service, including founding Nextlaw Labs and the Nextlaw Global Referral Network. Dentons' polycentric approach and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client interests in the communities in which we live and work. www.dentons.com

About Boekel

Boekel is a full-service business law firm, founded in Amsterdam in 1957. Approachable and practical, the firm provides industry-focused legal advice to assist Dutch and international clients in all aspects of their business operations, transactions and litigation. Boekel combines personalized service with a hands-on mentality to help clients address increasingly complex issues in today’s fast moving world. Using a consultative, innovative approach, Boekel offers realistic, high quality solutions tailored to clients’ needs.