Law Firm Mergers: Dentons Signals Intent To Combine With Colombia’s Cardenas & Cardenas

The global law firm Dentons has announced that it will be establishing its first physical presence in Latin America and the Caribbean, with its intent to combine with Colombia’s Cárdenas & Cárdenas, and Mexico’s López Velarde, Heftye y Soria (LVHS). The announcement follows Dentons’ recent expansion the Pacific Rim, in which the law firm announced a combination with both Australia’s Gadens and Singapore’s Rodyk, and the formalization of its combination in China.

Bernardo Cárdenas, Managing Partner of Cárdenas & Cárdenas, said, “Having been a leading law firm in Colombia for the past 100 years, and as one of the first firms to work with foreign investors in the country, we are ready to take the next step. We firmly believe that the globalization of legal services is a reality and that joining such a prominent and large firm as Dentons is the right decision. This combination will provide us with a global reach and expertise that will benefit all of our current and future clients, while maintaining our tradition of high quality service.”

“Comprised of vibrant, opportunity-filled economies, the Latin American and Caribbean region is of significant import to our clients,” said Joe Andrew, Global Chairman, Dentons. “Entering the region with a presence in two of its top four economies, and with firms that are aligned with the high level of service and quality that our clients expect, is key to delivering on our strategy to have seasoned, local talent, wherever our clients need it.”

“In addition to the leading position that each of these elite firms hold in their respective markets, they add substantial experience across our practices and sectors,” said Elliott Portnoy, Global Chief Executive Officer, Dentons. “Many of our clients are already doing business in Mexico, Colombia and throughout the region, and a combination with Cárdenas & Cárdenas and LVHS will bring more than a century of experience in the community along with valuable knowledge in key areas.”

Dentons first signaled its intentions the region last year, when the firm appointed Jorge Alers as its Chief Executive Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean. Alers, who came to Dentons after serving as the General Counsel and General Manager of the Legal Department of the Inter-American Development Bank, has been focused on helping the firm meet its goal for whole firm combinations in Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.