Dentons has launched a previously announced combination with leading Zambian law firm, Eric Silwamba, Jalasi and Linyama Legal Practitioners, as part of its strategy to scale across Africa. In 2020, Dentons has announced 25 new offices around the world in an environment where other law firms are standing still, contracting or withdrawing from key markets.
On a continent scarred by the legacy of colonial domination and in a market where the operations of every leading law firm are hierarchical, Dentons’ unique polycentric and anti-colonial approach has been a stark differentiator, disrupting the traditional model for providing legal services in Africa.
The combination with Eric Silwamba, Jalasi and Linyama Legal Practitioners advances Dentons’ strategy to become the leading Pan-African law firm owned and controlled by Africans. Dentons is now the largest global law firm in Zambia, helping clients to navigate the New Dynamic in 14 locations in Africa and 190 locations across 77 countries around the world.
“Our launch in Zambia further builds upon our strategy to become the leading Pan-African law firm owned and controlled by Africans,” said Elliott Portnoy, Global CEO of Dentons. “Clients want access to leading talent in the markets where they do business and we can now connect clients to opportunities in Zambia and around the globe.”
“In the New Dynamic our clients are confronted with constant, accelerated change and want to work with a law firm that has the experience and confidence to help them navigate it wherever they are located,” said Joe Andrew, Global Chairman of Dentons. “I have spent considerable time with the leadership of Eric Silwamba, Jalasi and Linyama Legal Practitioners from our first meeting on the continent to now and am continuously impressed by how talented and enterprising our new colleagues are.”
The new firm, to be branded Dentons Eric Silwamba Jalasi & Linyama, has more than 30 years of history in Zambia and is regarded as one of Zambia’s top law firms with strengths in Banking and Finance, Corporate and Commercial Law, Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, Intellectual Property, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, and Tax Law. Dentons Eric Silwamba Jalasi & Linyama has three experienced partners and eight lawyers who are regarded for their deep understanding of regulation and the local business environment.
“Dentons’ strategy is focused on finding combination firms who have the proven ability to offer sophisticated, high-quality legal services and business solutions in their home markets,” said Noor Kapdi, CEO of Dentons’ Africa Region. “For more than 30 years Dentons Eric Silwamba Jalasi & Linyama has established itself as one of the top law firms in Zambia and our launch today, once again, enables Dentons to maintain and improve its quality as it grows.”
”As part of Dentons, we can now offer our clients access to leading global talent and innovative business solutions to deliver high-quality service in Zambia and around the world,” said Eric Silwamba, SC, Partner of Dentons Eric Silwamba Jalasi & Linyama.
