The combination, following approval by partners and subject to meeting regulatory requirements, is expected to launch in the next several months, according to a statement from Dentons.

It comes as the firm looks to bolster its presence across the Australasian market, with the combination set to give clients access to an additional team of 113 lawyers.

“As is the case with all of its strategic growth initiatives, Dentons’ desire to expand its presence in Australasia is client driven,” said Elliott Portnoy, Global CEO of Dentons.

“Clients have explicitly identified the New Zealand market as a priority and this combination would see the firms able to meet client needs in New Zealand and around the globe."

"Dentons’ focus on finding combination partners who have the proven ability to offer sophisticated, high quality legal services and business solutions in their home markets creates a virtuous circle for attracting talent both within a new market and future combination partners within the region, said Joe Andrew, global chair of Dentons.

"Combining with a leading law firm like Kensington Swan in New Zealand will continue Dentons’ momentum in Australasia, enabling Dentons to, once again, maintain and improve its quality even as it grows."

Doug Stipanicev, CEO of Dentons Australia region, added: "With Australia and New Zealand being such close economies, the combination with a leading law firm like Kensington Swan would enable greater coordination across the region for the benefit of clients". 

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Commenting further, David Campbell, board chair of Kensington Swan said the combination with Dentons will mean that Kensington Swan is the New Zealand law firm with the “greatest access to top-tier legal talent, and in the most locations, worldwide”.

"With Kensington Swan’s clients increasingly operating across Australasia and beyond, Dentons' global platform will enable us to deliver seamless service to existing clients operating in the region and globally," Mr Campbell said.

“Kensington Swan is attracted to Dentons’ willingness to challenge the status quo and deliver innovative solutions to clients, while never compromising on quality or professionalism. This ethos matches Kensington Swan's pragmatic approach to legal advice, which supports our clients’ strategic and commercial goals,” added Charles Spillane, CEO of Kensington Swan.

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